Get automatic overview of a selected topic!

Apr-18-2008

UPDATE 2-GM, UAW local extend talks at transmission plant

(topic overview)
CONTENTS:

The American corporation already had to halt or partly idle the production process at nearly 30 North American plants because of parts shortages caused by a strike at the American Axle that lasted seven weeks. (More...)
Hastings said it is more than coincidence that the union would go after GMs popular vehicles with local strikes, especially since it was able to settle the complex national contract with only a short, token work stoppage. (More...)
The UAW and American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. are making progress in their contract negotiations, but it's still early to be talking about a deal, the company said. (More...)
Salaried and hourly employees are generally allowed one referral each. (More...)
Local negotiations were under way late Thursday in Warren, and a top Local 909 official said workers will report Friday morning but are prepared to strike. (More...)
Local officials remain in Detroit where the negotiations are being held. (More...)
General Motors Corp.' s metal stamping plant in West Mifflin -- slated for closing now that a deal to buy it fell through last week -- is likely to remain open longer than expected, into the first quarter of 2009, a union official said Tuesday. (More...)
Flores declined to comment whether GM would seek another buyer to run the plant as a metal stamping facility. (More...)
We're hopeful we can reach an agreement, but any discussions of a tentative agreement are premature." (More...)
Union leaders and GM management "failed to agree on work rules and other issues." (More...)
GM North America's 2008 second-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.08 million vehicles - 408,000 cars and 672,000 trucks. (More...)
"It does put stress on the company and their cash flows," said Pete Hastings, an auto industry corporate bonds analyst with Morgan Keegan Co. "They have plenty of liquidity and can make it for quite a while, but we dont like to see these strikes get out of hand." (More...)

SOURCES

FIND OUT MORE ON THIS SUBJECT

The American corporation already had to halt or partly idle the production process at nearly 30 North American plants because of parts shortages caused by a strike at the American Axle that lasted seven weeks. Members of the local UAW refused to continue doing their job at GM's Lansing Delta Township plant near Lansing, Michigan. They announced that they are on strike at about 10 a.m. ET. The reason they went on strike was that the union and the car manufacturer failed to agree on work rules and some other issues [1] A parts shortage from that stoppage forced GM on Wednesday to cut shifts short at the plant. Another GM local in Warren has threatened to strike GM by 10 a.m. Friday if there's no plant level contract by then. The Lansing strike is taking place in a town where the UAW and community have a long history of working with well with GM. The automaker opted to build the Delta plant, its first new factory in years, after a massive local campaign by local community leaders. As part of the deal, the union agreed to adopt flexible, money-saving work rules GM is pushing at all its plants. Several workers interviewed as they walked off the job at GM said they were told by local union leaders that a strike was called because dozens of local contract issues are unresolved after months of negotiations. Many said that while they support the union's decision to strike, they question the timing.[2]

Workers at the Delta Township plant near Lansing, which makes GM's fastest-selling new crossover vehicles, could strike as early as Thursday, while workers at the Warren transmission plant could strike Friday. Local unions in Arlington, Texas; Parma, Ohio; and Flint also had threatened strikes but since have withdrawn those threats. Industry analysts have speculated that the UAW is using the strike threats to try to draw GM into its talks with American Axle.[3] Doug Rademacher, president of UAW Local 602, which represents workers at the Lansing plant, said talks have broken off and that he didn't know when they will resume. He dismissed speculation that the strike is part of a UAW strategy to draw GM into the lengthy labor dispute with partsmaker American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. The UAW walked off the job at American Axle plans Feb. 26.[2] UAW Local 730 represents more than 1,000 workers, although some have been temporarily laid off because of a seven-week strike at supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. that has affected 29 GM factories and a plant in Indiana that makes GM's Hummer under contract.[3] The automaker is still negotiating local contracts with dozens of locals across the country, more than six months after it inked a landmark national contract with the union. GM already is dealing with production woes from the prolonged strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. The stoppage, in its seventh week, has forced GM to halt or slow production at about two dozen factories in the United States and Canada. Most of those plants either build or produce parts for GM's slow-selling full-size trucks and SUVs.[4] The workers of a GM plant that builds crossover vehicles went on strike on Thursday. Their strike, corroborated with a union walkout at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc could get pretty serious pretty fast for the world's second largest automaker (after Toyota).[1] DETROIT (Reuters) - A local unit of the United Auto Workers went on strike on Thursday at a General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) plant that builds fast-selling crossover vehicles, adding to disruptions caused by the union's walkout at American Axle & Manufacturing, a major supplier to the automaker.[5] DETROIT, April 18 (Reuters) - United Auto Workers local officials and General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) have continued negotiations beyond a Friday strike deadline at a plant near Detroit that builds transmissions for the automaker's cars and crossover vehicles, a local official said.[6] DETROIT, April 18 (Reuters) - Negotiators for the United Auto Workers union and General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) have extended talks indefinitely beyond a Friday strike deadline at a plant near Detroit that builds transmissions for the automaker's strong-selling cars and crossovers.[7]

WARREN -- United Auto Workers members at General Motors Corp.' s Warren transmission plant are still on the job after a 10 a.m. strike deadline passed. Talks continued through the night and into this morning between GM and the UAW over plant-level contract issues. Both sides agreed to take a break and resume negotiations on Saturday morning, GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[4] Hundreds of United Auto Workers members walked off their jobs at a General Motors assembly plant that makes crossover vehicles near Lansing, Mich. The strike is the first against GM over a local contract since a walkout in Flint in 1998, said Dan Flores, a GM spokesman.[8]

LANSING, Mich. -- When thousands of workers in UAW Local 602 walked off the job Thursday morning at the Lansing Delta Township plant, members likely knew that they have leverage against General Motors. The plant is one of GM's most important in North America, since that's where it turns out the automaker's hot-selling, and more fuel-efficient, crossover utility vehicles, such as the Buick Enclave, the GMC Acadia and the Saturn Outlook.[9] Members of UAW Local 602 walked out of the GM plant in Delta Township that makes the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia large crossover vehicles. Local 909 has set a 10 a.m. Friday strike deadline at a transmission plant in Warren, one that makes the four- and six-speed gears for nearly all of GMs cars including its fastest-selling model, the new Chevrolet Malibu.[10] Members of UAW Local 602 walked out of the GM plant in Delta Township that makes the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia large crossover vehicles. Local plants negotiate their own operating agreements separate from the national contract, which was settled last year. The local contract deals with issues such as overtime and work rules.[11]

On Thursday, UAW workers at a plant in Delta Township near Lansing went on strike, halting production of GMs hot-selling crossover vehicles, the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.[12] Earlier in the week, the UAW approved a strike against Alliance Interiors, a small supplier that feeds parts to the Delta Township plant, forcing GM to curtail production of the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia.[13]

A strike at supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL) has forced GM to idle all or parts of about 30 plants, mainly affecting pickup truck and SUV production. While GM has an ample inventory of pickups and SUVs, its inventory on the products made at Delta Township is tighter.[14] GM already has at least partly idled about 30 plants due to a UAW strike at major supplier, American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research ). That strike mainly affects GM's production of large pickups and SUVs that have been selling slowly due to the weak U.S. economy and high fuel prices.[7]

Industry analysts say the union is using the threats of a strike to pull GM into an ongoing labor dispute at parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. The UAW has been on strike against American Axle for nearly two months, and more than 30 GM plants have been affected.[11] DETROIT, April 16 (Reuters) - American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have made significant progress towards an agreement to end the union's seven-week strike at the parts maker, influential industry publication Automotive News reported on Wednesday. The two sides have made progress on wages, health care and job classification issues and a tentative contract could be reached by this weekend, the publication reported on its website, citing a source familiar with the discussions.[15] DETROIT (Reuters) - American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc (AXL.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) and the United Auto Workers have made progress in talks aimed at ending a seven-week strike at five U.S. plants, but talk of a tentative agreement remains premature, a company spokeswoman said on Thursday.[16] Mark Bugnaski / Kalamazoo Gazette John Sassaman, a UAW 2093 member from Three Rivers, waves an American flag Thursday afternoon during a rally in front of the American Axle plant in Three Rivers. DETROIT -- Both sides in the nearly-two-month strike against auto-parts-maker American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. are reporting progress in contract talks, but a company spokeswoman says a deal is not imminent.[17] Industry analysts have speculated that the strike is an effort by the union to get GM involved in a two-month UAW walkout at parts supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings. Both sides in the nearly two-month strike against auto parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings are reporting progress in contract talks, but a company spokeswoman said a deal is not imminent.[8] The company was in the process of closing an agreement with local union leaders on various issues, including work rules. The talks failed this morning. The Detroit, Michigan-based automaker is already reeling under loss of production due to the more than seven-week strike at its parts supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings (AXL).[18]

In the grand scheme of things, given the economy and the auto industry, having the jobs in the first place is most important," said Scott Watkins, a consultant at East Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group. "The good news is that those temporary jobs are there at any amount." Detroit's automakers usually hire temps to take the place of vacationing factory workers. GM said it hires a few thousand workers across the country; Ford placed its number in the hundreds. The tally of summer hires this year will depend on the carmakers' production schedules and, at GM, could be affected by the strike at parts maker American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. A parts shortage created by the stoppage has forced GM to idle or cut shifts at about two dozen factories.[19] With bargaining picking up steam, the UAW on Wednesday called off a rally slated for Friday in Hart Plaza. Before the latest bargaining session, which has been under way for a week, little progress had been made on key economic issues such as wages, benefits, buyouts and buydowns. The strike started Feb. 26, when 3,650 UAW-represented workers walked off their jobs at four operating American Axle plants in Michigan and New York. Ten GM factories are idle because of the strike, and production has been reduced at 17 of its other factories. Vince Peckins, sales manager at Demaagd GMC-Nissan in Battle Creek, said he could use a little inventory.[20] Roger Kerson, a UAW spokesman, could not be immediately reached for comment. Some 3,600 UAW members started their strike against American Axle plants in Michigan and New York Feb. 26. Since American Axle supplies General Motors Corp. with key parts, such as rear axles, the strike has slowed or stopped production at some 30 GM or allied plants since then, including the GM SUV assembly plant in Moraine.[21] A second General Motors Corp. plant that builds passenger cars will soon be affected by the strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. GM will idle a third shift starting April 21 at its Oshawa, Ont. car plant, where the automaker builds one of its staple vehicles, the Chevrolet Impala full-size sedan, GM Spokesman Stew Low said.[22] General Motors will not run out axles for the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 any time soon despite what some observers and UAW local leaders have said, Bo Andersson, GM's group vice president for purchasing and supply chain, said late Tuesday, April 15. If true, that means if the UAW and American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. may have a long wait if they expect GM to resolve the union's bitter seven-week strike.[23] The bitter labor stalemate between American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and the United Auto Workers appears to be over, with significant progress taking place at the bargaining table, Automotive News reported. A tentative contract agreement could be reached by this weekend, a source familiar with the discussions told Automotive News late Wednesday. 'They are very close,' the source said. 'They could reach an agreement by this weekend. As with any protracted labor negotiation, there is no guarantee a deal can be reached, but this is the first sign of real progress in the dispute that has all but halted General Motors Corp[24] The United Auto Workers union and supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. appear to be progressing in labor negotiations, according to media reports.[25] DETROIT -- The United Auto Workers union on Wednesday called off a planned rally in support of striking workers at American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc., saying it was making progress in talks with the auto supplier. The rally was scheduled to take place this Friday in downtown Detroit.[26]

The figure, which was disclosed by the union, represents about 36 percent of the Lockport facility's hourly work force. American Axle and Delphi are both key suppliers to GM. The strike by the United Auto Workers union, now in its eighth week, has slowed or stopped production at up to 30 GM plants.[27] Thursday's strike by workers at GM's Delta Township plant was the latest salvo in a spreading battle between the United Auto Workers union and General Motors and its suppliers. "It's just crazy," one GM official who did not want to be named told AFP.[13] Union workers struck a General Motors (GM) plant in Delta Township, Mich., Thursday that makes some of GM's most successful and important vehicles, and were preparing to strike today at a plant in Warren that makes transmissions for most GM models, including the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu.[28]

Workers at the automaker's Delta Township plant walked off the job Thursday after a 10 a.m. strike deadline passed with no agreement on a plant-level deal after months of bargaining. Although the UAW reached a landmark labor agreement last fall with Detroit's Big Three automakers, many local union contracts have yet to be finalized.[29] Workers represented by UAW Local 602 at GM's Delta Township, Mich., assembly plant had issued a strike threat to GM in a dispute over local contract issues such as job classifications.[14] UAW workers at the automaker's Delta Township plant near Lansing went on strike Thursday over local contract issues.[4]

Members of UAW Local 602 who work at GM's Lansing Delta Township plant near Lansing, Michigan, walked off the job just after 10 a.m. ET after the automaker and local union leaders failed to agree on work rules and other issues.[5] The UAW also launched a strike on April 11 against a GM plant in Warren, Michigan which makes transmissions for a variety of GM passenger cars. The historic national contract the UAW and GM signed last fall specified that both sides still had to work out the details of local contracts, which traditionally have controlled staffing levels and other important issues. Sean McAlinden, vice president of research at the Center For Automotive Research, said GM had been trying to use the local negotiations to reduce staffing and to re-classify more jobs as "non-core," which means GM can fill them with employees making half the standard contract wage of 29 dollars per hour.[13] The Impala is a key vehicle for GM, which sold nearly 72,000 of the sedans through March of this year. It's GM's best-selling auto behind the Chevrolet Silverado pickup, and was the nation's seventh most-purchased vehicle in March. Oshawa car is the second sedan plant to be affected by the strike, which began Feb. 26 after 3,650 union members at five plants in Michigan and New York walked off the job after their previous contracts expired.[22] WARREN, Mich. (AP) - A strike deadline passed Friday at a transmission plant vitally important to General Motors Corp.' s automaking operation with union workers remaining on the job as both sides agreed to keep bargaining. Members of the United Auto Workers Local 909 at the Warren powertrain plant had set a 10 a.m. deadline to leave their jobs in a local contract dispute.[11] NEW YORK - United Auto Workers walked off the job at General Motors Corp.s Delta Township plant at 10 a.m. on Thursday after a deadline passed with no deal on a local contract. Get stories by e-mail on this topic.[30] DELTA TOWNSHIP -- Workers at a key General Motors assembly plant near Lansing have walked off their jobs in a local contract dispute.[31]

Lansing, MI (AHN) - Production at a General Motors Corp. plant in Michigan screeched to a halt Thursday when hundreds of workers walked off their jobs after local contract negotiations bogged down.[32]

DETROIT, April 18 (Reuters) - General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) and United Auto Workers local officials negotiated through the night to try to reach an agreement covering the automaker's transmission plant in Warren, Michigan, and will resume talks on Saturday, a company spokesman said on Friday.[33] DETROIT — Union leaders for a General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) plant near Grand Rapids have sent a letter threatening to have workers strike if talks over local issues aren't resolved soon, the automaker said Tuesday.[3]

Reuters reports, "A local unit of the United Auto Workers went on strike on Thursday at a General Motors Corp plant that builds fast-selling crossover vehicles."[34] JANESVILLE - The 7-week-old United Auto Workers strike against a key General Motors supplier again will curtail production at the automaker'''s plant in Janesville.[35]

About 3,600 United Auto Workers members at five American Axle & Manufacturing plants in Michigan and New York went on strike Feb. 26 after the auto parts maker proposed cutting hourly wages about in half.[36] The United Auto Workers is rapidly pushing to finalize a concessionary agreement in the now eight-week-long strike by 3,600 workers in Michigan and western New York against auto parts maker American Axle.[37]

DETROIT -- Any talk of a tentative agreement in the United Auto Workers' strike against American Axle & Manufacturing is "premature," a company spokeswoman said Thursday, April 17.[21]

Crimped by the axle strike, workers at Janesville'''s sister SUV plant in Arlington, Texas, started a three-week layoff last week. In the meantime, UAW and American Axle negotiators remained far apart in their talks, the Detroit Free Press reported Tuesday.[35] The impact of the American Axle strike also has been felt at GM's Tonawanda engine plant where two dozen workers were on layoff for two weeks in March.[27] The strike also has begun to stall GM's production of sedans, including the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne at the Detroit-Hamtramck car assembly plant. Other GM car production is now threatened. Despite those threats, GM has not intervened in the American Axle negotiations. GM, meanwhile, is slowing production of the HHR crossover at its assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, because of a shortage of parts made by American Axle. Similar action affecting the plant's Saturn Vue line could be taken soon afterward, a well-placed GM source in Mexico told Automotive News late Wednesday. The HHR and Saturn Vue, sold as the Chevrolet Captiva in Mexico, are both exported to the United States. 'This (American Axle) strike has affected us,' the source said, speaking on condition that his name should not be used. He said if the dispute at American Axle continued, GM's production of Kodiak trucks in Silao, Mexico, might also be hit soon. 'The idea is to continue working with our current inventory (of parts and components) but at a slower pace,' he said.[24] Negotiations between the UAW and American Axle are to continue today. The strike has forced GM to cut or halt production at 27 plants including its Detroit-Hamtramck factory, where GM stopped making the Cadillac DTS and the Buick Lucerne at the end of March.The Malibu has been watched closely since then, because the vehicle is key to GM's strategy to win consumers who are turning away from gas-thirsty trucks and toward more fuel-efficient cars.[38] The strike by 3,650 UAW members began at five American Axle plants on Feb. 26 and has since idled or slowed up to 30 GM operations in the U.S. By Saturday, GM will have lost 142,782 production units since the strike began, according to the Automotive News data center. Most of the lost production has been SUVs and pickup trucks ' and GM has months of inventory to sell in those vehicle lines.[24]

In addition to the American Axle walkout having forced GM to fully or partially cut back production at more than two dozen plants, a GM plant near Lansing, Mich., that makes the company's hot-selling crossovers was partially shut down Wednesday due to a strike at supplier Alliance Interiors.[39] GM has had to slow or idle about 30 assembly and parts plants as a result of the strike at American Axle. The automaker has been doing its best to avoid intervening in the strike at the parts supplier it once owned, though a halt in production of the G6 and Malibu would have likely forced its hand, as dealers only have a slim 40 day inventory of the two sedans.[40] American Axle (NYSE: AXL) is a key supplier to GM. The labor dispute caused a parts shortage that has forced General Motors to close or suspend work at 29 factories, including stopping production at its Wentzille, Mo., assembly facility in early March. Detroit-based General Motors (NYSE: GM) produces the Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana vans at its assembly plant in Wentzville.[41] The strike has caused General Motors Corp. (GM), American Axle's largest customer, to idle all or parts of about 30 plants.[42] General Motors Corp. is American Axle's largest customer, and the strike has affected 30 GM plants as well as a plant in Indiana that makes Hummers under contract.[26]

Jim Marcum, the locals financial secretary, said the talks are not related to the American Axle strike. "We still dont have a local contract even though ours expired last September," he said. "What theyre negotiating now has nothing to do with American Axle." Local plants negotiate their own operating agreements separate from the national contract, which was settled last year. The local contract deals with issues such as overtime and work rules.[10] Industry analysts have speculated that the strike over local contract issues is an attempt by the union to draw GM into the American Axle talks.[12] GM accounts for 80% of American Axle's business, but is not directly involved in the negotiations, which are continuing. American Axle has replaced some lost production with parts made at its Mexico facilities. Both sides in the nearly 2-month-old American Axle strike are reporting progress in contract talks, but a company spokeswoman says a deal is not imminent.[28] The company has said the union wont give it the same deal it has given to other parts suppliers that include lower wages and benefits. American Axle has threatened to move production from the five U.S. plants to its foreign operations if it cant get a contract that it considers competitive with other U.S. parts suppliers.[12]

A local union leader at the Delta Township plant said the strike had nothing to do with American Axle. Both sides in the American Axle strike have fired barbs at each other, with the union accusing the company of failing to bargain in good faith or give it financial information.[12]

A strike at supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL) has forced GM to idle all or portions of about 30 plants, many of which produce pickup trucks, SUVs and related parts.[43] The plant may be affected by the seven-week strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., which produces parts for GM, Vargesko said. "It's day-by-day, week-by-week," Vargesko said.[44]

Rademacher rejected any notion that the strike is part of a union strategy to get GM into the dispute with parts-maker American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., where workers walked off the job in February.[45] Although local union officials deny it, industry analysts say the walkouts are an effort to draw GM into the unions bitter, two-month contract dispute with parts maker American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.[10]

GM accounts for 80 percent of American Axles business and the automaker would have leverage over the supplier. He said it is amazing that GM and the union got "through all of the trouble and pain that theyve gone through and then had a local strike flare up into something like this. Its sad and we hope its short lived."[10] An ongoing strike at parts supplier American Axle, meantime, has shut 10 GM factories and had what the automaker calls "partial impact" on 18 others. Those mainly manufacture vehicles not selling well, such as midsize, truck-based SUVs, or those with plentiful supplies, such as full-size pickups.[28] An on-going strike at GM supplier, American Axle has caused a parts shortage.closing other GM assembly plants.[46] GM has already been forced to at least partly idle about 30 North American plants because of parts shortages due to the UAW's more than seven-week strike at American Axle.[47] The UAW has been on strike against American Axle for nearly two months, and more than 30 GM plants have been affected.[10] The American Axle strike has hindered production at 29 GM plants. Most of the plants that have been affected are those that make pick-up trucks and sport-utility vehicles and component plants that supply the assembly plants.[48] GM is already suffering from the loss of pickup and truck-based sports utility vehicle production because of a nearly two-month long strike at a key supplier, former subsidiary American Axle and Manufacturing Holding Inc.[13] General Motors Corp.' s top purchasing executive said Tuesday he does not expect the UAW's strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. to halt production of the automaker's popular Chevrolet Malibu.[38] Despite being stuck in the middle of the UAW's 7-week strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., General Motors Corp. has stayed away from the bargaining table.[20] About 800 workers at Delphi Thermal Systems are on temporary layoff due to the impact of the American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. strike on General Motors Corp.[27]

Reports of progress continued Friday as the UAW strike against American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. facilities in Western New York and Michigan continues for an eighth week.[49] About 3,650 American Axle workers represented by the UAW have been on strike at five U.S. plants in Michigan and New York since Feb. 26.[15] The UAW, which represents 3,600 workers at American Axle, has been on strike against the company's five U.S. plants for nearly two months.[26] Enough progress has been made for the UAW to call off a rally slated for today in Hart Plaza, which was viewed as an encouraging sign that the strike by 3,650 workers at four American Axle plants would end soon.[50]

In addition to GM strike, production could be halted by a UAW strike at a small supplier that produces carpeting for the crossover SUVs built at the plant. About 90 workers at Lansing-based Alliance Interiors went on strike Tuesday because they have no labor contract and have been trying to secure one for almost a year.[2] Production at the plant had already been disrupted by a UAW strike on Wednesday by about 90 workers at local automotive parts supplier Alliance Interiors.[5]

If no agreements have been reached in five days, the union could send another letter giving a five-day notice before a strike. UAW Local 730 Chairman Steve Rop wouldn't comment Tuesday, but in a notice on the local's website, he said the union and GM still were bargaining about local grievances as well as tool and die operations at the plant. The UAW agreed on a national contract with GM last fall, but local unions also negotiate their own agreements on issues such as overtime and plant operations.[3] The union and GM settled a master contract last year after a short nationwide strike, but have not completed agreements at the local level that cover work rules for the plants.[7]

Though GM and the United Auto Workers union came to a national agreement not long ago, local contract disputes continue at several plants across the county.[51] The uncertainty of Lordstown operations has delayed labor contract talks. LORDSTOWN ''' A union official said he expects the General Motors''' Lordstown plant to have enough parts to continue running all of this week. Ben Strickland, shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 1112, added that he expects the plant will continue running beyond that as well.[48]

UAW Local 909 represents about 1,000 workers at a Warren, Michigan, transmission plant that has been trying to negotiate local rules to go along with the national contract the union reached with GM last Fall.[6] Rademacher said workers at the Delta plant have been working under a contract put in place in 1999 when GM built the factory. The contract, he said, was intended to give GM flexibility to get the factory running, but was never supposed to be a long-term labor agreement. The UAW planned to get a plant-level contract in place for Delta after last fall's national negotiations, he said. This work force deserves respect," he said.[2] UAW workers at an assembly plant in Delta Township, Mich., which makes the hot-selling large crossover utility vehicles - the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook - walked off the job after failing to reach a deal on a local contract deal.[43] Officials of the United Auto Workers did not say the reason for the 10 a.m. walkout at the Delta Township plant that assembles GM's hot-selling Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover vehicles.[32] According to GMs website, some 3,300 hourly workers were employed at the Delta Township plant at the end of April 2007. The facility makes the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook crossover vehicles that GM says are among its best-selling models.[30]

United Auto Workers members struck the plant in Eaton County's Delta Township, where GM makes hot-selling crossover vehicles.[31]

The newly launched Malibu is a critical product for GM and the car is already in short supply. Only GM factories affected by the United Auto Workers union work stoppage have been those that produce large trucks and full-size sedans, which sell slower.Most of the plants affected by strikes build the slower selling models, of which the car maker has several months of inventory.[18] Plant worker Damion Morris said the union decided to postpone the walkout for another 24 hours. If Local 909 sets another strike deadline, it will give GM a 12-hour notice, he said.[11] The notice from UAW Local 909, which represents workers at the plant, said the union has authorized an extension of the strike deadline.[43]

Wendy Thompson, a labor activist and former president of a UAW local in Detroit that represents American Axle workers, said UAW officials told workers that the union is making progress so the rally was delayed.[26] Automotive News also reported that a UAW protest rally scheduled for Friday in support of striking American Axle workers had been called off because of the progress in the talks, citing the former president of a UAW local unit that represents American Axle workers in Detroit.[15]

Expectations that the two sides might be close to a deal heightened on Wednesday after the union opted to postpone a planned rally in Detroit on Friday in support of the striking American Axle workers. "Things are progressing but talk of a tentative agreement is premature at this time," American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said.[16] A spokeswoman for American Axle says there has been progress in talks with striking workers, but an agreement is not near.[52]

The striking 3,650 UAW workers at five of American Axle's U.S. plants that GM once owned has created a unique problem.[23] Workers in Three Rivers were joined by more than 300 other workers and community members in a rally Thursday. They drove or marched down from the UAW hall to the American Axle plant.[53]

About 3,650 UAW members went on strike Feb. 26 at five plants in Michigan and New York in a dispute over wage and benefit cuts the company is seeking. They include the 750 hourly workers at the company's drive-shaft and axle plant in Three Rivers.[17] About 3,650 members of the United Auto Workers union at five facilities in New York and Michigan went on strike Feb. 26 after the auto parts maker proposed drastic cuts in hourly wages and benefits.[41]

In February, General Motors announced a national agreement with the United Auto Workers, or UAW, union on a comprehensive special attrition program that will be offered to all of GM's 74,000 UAW-represented employees.[18] The strike is also seen as a tactics to force one of GM's suppliers to settle a contentious, two-month contract dispute. General Motors would like UAW to co-operate with them and lead maximum workers to take up the retirement and buyout options available to GM's 74,000 UAW-represented employees under the comprehensive special attrition program, on which an agreement was reached on February 12.[18]

Local contract negotiations between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Corp. are expected to resume this morning, according to a GM spokesman.[29] General Motors Corp risks the spreading of a strike initiated by a United Auto Workers (UAW) local unit.[1]

DETROIT, Michigan (AFP) — Production of General Motors Corp.' s popular crossover sports utility vehicles ground to a stop Thursday after workers at one of the automaker's Michigan factories went on strike.[13] If the strike had occurred, it could have crippled the automaker's car production. Workers at a crossover vehicle factory near Lansing walked off their jobs on Thursday.[11] A strike at the plant would have been a second staggering blow to GM in as many days after workers at a GM assembly plant near Lansing, Michigan, that produces popular crossover vehicles walked out on Thursday.[7] The strike by three-thousand UAW members at the Lansing, Michigan plant shuts down production of several popular crossover vehicles including the Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and GMC Arcadia.[46] The latest strike at the Lansing plant would affect GM's hot selling items during the U.S. sales downturn, which are the Buick Enclave Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover vehicles.[18]

The plant produces the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, products that have sold well for GM. Production at the plant was slowed Wednesday due to a strike at a supplier of interior components.[14]

"We are disappointed that UAW Local 602 has taken strike action at the Lansing Delta Township plant," GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[5] GM also faces another possible strike by a UAW local unit at 10 a.m. ET Friday if the company and local leaders at a Warren, Michigan, transmission plant fail to reach an agreement.[30] A UAW local at a GM transmission plant in Warren, Mich., has a strike deadline set for Friday morning.[14]

About 1,000 hourly workers represented by UAW Local 909 produce transmissions for GM's strong-selling cars and crossover vehicles at the plant.[33] A notice from the UAW Local representing workers at the plant said progress has been made with GM over the past several hours.[43]

The UAW and GM signed a new labor contract last year that covered wages, benefits and investments in U.S. plants. GM still has to work out local deals on issues such as work rules and seniority at individual plants.[43] The local contract is separate from the national UAW contract. It deals with individual plant issues like overtime and work rules. Each plant maintains a local contract under the national agreement and that is where this breakdown occurred.[9]

For several months, GM and Local 602 leaders have been in talks to reach an agreement on contract details for the plant to go along with the national agreement reached between the automaker and the UAW last September.[30] Doug Rademacher, president of UAW Local 602, which represents the Delta plant, said the UAW has been working under a contract put in place in 1999 when GM built the factory.[29] In 1998, a walkout at the Flint parts plant lasted eight weeks. United Press International quoted Doug Rademacher, president of UAW Local 602, as telling a newspaper that he didn't know when they would restart the stalled contract negotiations.[32]

The most recent negotiation session was last week. Earlier this month, locals at five other GM plants threatened to file strike notices over talks that had bogged down.[48] Thursdays strike at the crossover factory near Lansing was the first one over local issues since two parts plants went out in Flint a decade ago, GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[10] Around 2,300 union employees walked off the job at one of GMs own plants in Lansing, Mich., where the automaker rolls out its hot-selling line of crossover utility vehicles, according to General Motors spokesman Dan Flores. "Theyll need to figure this all out soon because these are key products in replacing these SUVs that have really fallen into an abyss."[30] More than 2,600 UAW employees work at the Delta Township plant and all of them are off the job. Some of those workers are at home while others have been picketing since the strike started Thursday morning.[54] More than 700 employees walked off the job back in late February at the plant, joining thousands more at other American Axle plants in Michigan and New York. After picketing alone for weeks, the striking workers appealed to the community for support and they got it.[51] About 3,650 UAW-represented workers have been on strike at five American Axle plants since February 26.[18] Steve Kegerreis, assistant plant manager, said the starting and ending times of shifts might change over the next two weeks. The American Axle strike started Feb. 26, and the automaker initially was able to move parts around to keep its SUV plants operating. The Janesville plant was affected first during the week of March 10, when both shifts worked half-shift.[35] Operations of the plant have been threatened for weeks because it uses a brake spindle produced by American Axle, whose plants have been shut down by a UAW strike since Feb. 26.[48] The UAW launched a strike against American Axle more than seven weeks ago, in the face of the supplier's demands for steep wage and benefit cuts that American Axle says it needs to compete with other U.S. suppliers.[38]

For weeks, the uncertainty of when production would resume kept Capstick from driving trucks for another company. He didn't want to risk losing the good-paying job of shipping vehicles when the American Axle strike ended.[25] "One little thing could throw the whole thing out of whack," said Kelly Greene, 35, of Eastpointe. "It's touch-and-go." Lisa Akra of Plymouth Township, who left a job at Rock Financial to become a machinist at American Axle, said she feels frustrated hearing word that a deal could be reached soon and then hearing that it might take more time. "It's desperate mode now for most people," she said, noting that the strike is in its eighth week.[50]

Industry analysts say the union is using the threats of a strike to pull GM into an ongoing labor dispute at parts maker American Axle.[55] GM has also been slowed by a strike at parts maker American Axle over the last month. That strike, however, has had little impact on consumers.[34]

A General Motors executive said he does not foresee problems obtaining parts to keep producing the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu amid a strike at American Axle & Manufacturing.[39] General Motors will not be running out of axles for the popular Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6 sedans as a result of the ongoing strike at supplier American Axle, according to Bo Andersson, the automaker's vice president for purchasing and supply chain, Automotive News reports.[40] According to reports in the beginning of April, the strike at American Axle might also threaten the production of General Motors' Chevrolet Malibu sedan.[18]

GM said nearly 100,000 units of production were lost due to the more than seven-week strike at American Axle.[18] The first GM plant in Mexico has started to feel the effects of American Axle's work stoppage. GM halted production of the Chevrolet HHR at its assembly plant in Ramos Arizpe, near Saltillo, one of three the automaker operates in Mexico.[38] The automaker has also temporarily resumed pickup production in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and plans to do the same at a pickup plant in Oshawa, Ontario, on Monday. As many as 30 GM plants have shut down or seen production cuts during the course of this strike.[38] A strike at the Warren plant would affect production of a strong-selling vehicle for GM.[43] USA Today adds that workers may be "preparing to strike today at a plant in Warren that makes transmissions for most GM models, including the award-winning Chevrolet Malibu." Research current GM vehicles, and their competition, with U.S. News' car rankings and reviews. Find this story interesting? If so, please click "Buzz up".[34] A GM divisional manager delivered the news during a meeting with the plant employees yesterday, said Rick Vargesko, president of the United Auto Workers Local 544, which represents about 350 employees at the plant.[44] Company spokesman Dan Flores said United Auto Workers Local 730, which represents the GM stamping plant in Wyoming, sent the letter Friday.[3]

United Auto Workers Local 551 members at the Ford Chicago Assembly Plant will conduct a new representation election to replace a June 2007 vote that was ruled flawed by the U.S. Department of Labor.[56] Workers hired by General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. for temporary summer help will now make about $14 an hour -- not $18 -- as part of the automakers' new labor deals with the United Auto Workers.[19]

LANSING, Mich., April 17 (UPI) -- Workers have walked out at the General Motors Corp. plant near Lansing, Mich., after contract talks broke down, officials said.[45]

UAW local members picket outside General Motors' Delta Township, Mich., plant on Thursday.[28] GM spokesman Dan Flores said the management at GM's Delta Township assembly plant is continuing to talk with the UAW representatives. "I can confirm we are (still) talking with the UAW. I just can't comment on the issues," he said.[13] Flores said talks with the union local at the Delta Township assembly plant resume Friday morning.[43]

Acadia is the second-best-selling GMC, after the Sierra full-size pickup. Together, strikes at Delta Township and Warren over local contract issues could severely cut into GM's profits by interrupting its flow of strong-selling models at a time industry sales are tumbling. "It does put stress on the company and their cash flows," said Pete Hastings, an auto industry corporate bonds analyst at Morgan Keegan. "They have plenty of liquidity and can make it for quite a while, but we don't like to see these strikes get out of hand."[28] In a separate article, the AP speculates, "Together, the strikes over local contract issues could severely cut into GM's profits if it can't supply dealers with the only models that are selling in an uncertain economy." Pete Hastings, an auto industry analyst with Morgan Keegan & Co, told the AP "It does put stress on the company and their cash flows. They have plenty of liquidity and can make it for quite a while, but we don't like to see these strikes get out of hand."[34]

Hastings said it is more than coincidence that the union would go after GMs popular vehicles with local strikes, especially since it was able to settle the complex national contract with only a short, token work stoppage. [10] Strickland said that negotiations on a local labor contract in Lordstown have been put on hold while company and union officials work on keeping the plant operating.[48] While a national labor contract was settled last year, most local negotiations have not been completed. The national contract covers pay and benefits, while local contracts cover plant-specific issues, such as work rules.[48]

The UAW and American Axle & Manufacturing Inc. are making progress in their contract negotiations, but it's still early to be talking about a deal, the company said. [50] The workers also used the gathering to thank the community, and held a barbeque for anyone who showed up. A spokesperson for American Axle says that negotiations with the UAW are making progress and are still ongoing, but despite the progress, both sides say that a deal is still a long way off.[51]

Progress in the American Axle negotiations came shortly after the UAW threatened strikes at the crossover factory and several other locations.[12]

The 3,650 UAW members at American Axle went on strike after talks on a new deal collapsed.[35] About 3,650 UAW members at five American Axle facilities in New York and Michigan -- including 510 at Tonawanda and Cheektowaga locations -- are on strike.[49]

The UAW's strike against American Axle began Feb. 26, involving about 3,650 UAW members, including roughly 580 in the Buffalo Niagara region.[39]

GM has only a 40-day inventory of the Buick Enclave, compared with an inventory of more than 150 days on some large trucks and SUVs when the American Axle strike began."[34] Now a turning point would be unlikely until selection of GM pickups and SUVs narrows, as supplies on hand fall below 80 days, which analysts expect in mid-May. "They may eventually get forced into bailing out the workers at American Axle," said David Healy, an analyst with Burnham Securities Inc. Andersson said it's too early to tell if the automaker will step in with financial help, and whether American Axle could reduce prices for GM if the supplier can cut its labor costs.[20] American Axle has said it must cut wages and benefits of hourly paid workers at the plants to compete against rivals that have labor costs about one-third as high.[15] The company has already had to idle assembly lines at about 30 plants because of the 3,650 American Axle workers who struck almost two months ago in a dispute over wages and benefits.[30]

Last week, American Axle turned down a proposal from the union. The company last weekend countered with a new proposal, which the Detroit Free Press said included separate wage and benefit structures for its forging and axle operations.[39]

American Axle and the UAW started negotiations in earnest again last week after the president of the UAW and the company's chairman and chief executive met face-to-face.[42]

GM had been widely expected to run out of a rear suspension part manufactured by American Axle, which was thought to be necessary to keep production going by next week.[40] The walkout has affected production at nearly 30 GM factories, and GM accounts for 80 percent of American Axles business.[12]

Salaried and hourly employees are generally allowed one referral each. "It's a way that GM and the UAW can work together to allow people to go on vacation but meet the production needs of the business," GM spokesman Dan Flores said. Traditionally, under UAW agreements with the automakers, those fill-in workers have earned 70 percent of the average assembly line hourly wage, which amounted to about $18.30. [19] Summer help will not be eligible for full-time jobs. GM worker Troy Miller, who has seen summer help come and go during a decade at the automaker's service parts operation in Columbus, Ohio, said the workers are at a disadvantage because they're not represented by the UAW. They often work longer hours and with less breaks than full-timers, he said. "I don't think it's fair they make less," he said. "They work 'em hard."[19]

"Any hiccup is going to have some effect." Local negotiations between GM and the UAW were underway late Thursday in Warren, and Local 909 said workers will report this morning but are prepared to strike.[28] "I don't want to be on strike," said worker Duane McClung. "And it's really not quite clear why we're striking." Worker Dean Betcher said he believes the union did its best to resolve issues with GM. But, he said, he would have preferred the UAW waited to see if workers were laid off instead. "I'd prefer that to a strike," he said.[2] Chris Zausten, works at Delta Twp. Plant: "We were just given the word by our shop committee that we were striking, and we just got our folks and said we were walking, and they got information at the gate." That flier told workers to head to the union hall to sign up for strike duty, but it didn't say why union leaders decided to strike.[54] Ford Worker wrote on Apr 17, 2008 10:16 AM: " Being a union due paying worker at this plant, it is about time these issues are resolved before all of our money is spent frivalously. I have heard so many reports from valid sources of this paranoid group including Charlene Davis - president spending money so her and her husband can go on trips at our locals' expense. Her husband being allowed to drive right in and park right next to the plant door where all other hourly people have to park and walk maybe 1/2 mile to get into work. This is taking advantage of her position and this needs to come to an end immediately[56]

"Your bargaining committee, along with the regional and international union, are pleased to report that progress has been made in the last several hours of negotiations," Local 909 officers said in a letter distributed to workers on Friday. "As a result of this development UAW-GM Vice President Cal Rapson has authorized an extension of the five-day strike letter. "The time for this extension is dependent upon the movement of the talks.[11] During the last two days, workers have heard several figures, including $17 to $19 for hourly production wages in exchange for buy-downs of $90,000. Some say they take news of progress lightly, knowing that in these talks any movement could be fragile in the strike.[50]

Local 909, which represents about 1,000 hourly workers at the transmission plant, said on Friday progress had been made and an extension arranged dependent on the movement of talks, according to a notice circulated to members.[7] Workers at the plant learned Wednesday that local production of full-size sport utility vehicles will be cut in half. For next week, first-shift employees will work their normal shifts and second-shift workers will be laid off.[35]

The plant also builds the Buick Lacrosse sedan. Most of the two dozen GM factories affected by a parts shortage created by the strike, now entering its seventh week, produce slow-selling large trucks and SUVs or parts for those vehicles.[22] Kevin Riddell, powertrain forecasting manager for J.D. Power and Associates, said the Warren factory supplies transmissions to nearly all GM cars. Another plant in Windsor, Ontario, could make up some of the supply, but GM would feel the effects of a strike rather quickly. "For the Malibu, theyve really been going gangbusters trying to make parts for it," Riddell said.[10]

GM's Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which builds the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans, was idled March 31. Another important car factory, in Lordstown, Ohio, could go down in a matter of days or weeks, according to local UAW officials. That factory builds the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 small cars.[22]

The vehicles are produced in GM's plants in Orion, Michigan, and in Fairfax, Kansas. Dealers have slim 40-day inventories of those vehicles. Such a halt in production--in theory--would leave GM little choice but to broker a deal with the UAW so it could avoid a disruptive parts shortage. Andersson said he has 'a good plan for handling the potential shortage.' He declined to elaborate. Asked if he has been receiving parts from another supplier, he did not answer.[23] Osage has had about two dozen orders that call for GM chassis. Those customers haven't yet given up on GM, but he expects most customers will run out of patience in about a month. Others who who don't directly work with or supply the Wentzville plant also are feeling the pain. That includes Pat Capstick, who lives in Wentz'ville but drives transport trucks for Kansas City-based Jack Cooper Transport Co. The company ships vehicles from GM's plant in Fort Wayne, Ind., another facility shut down by the parts shortage.[25]

Andersson declined to disclose details about how GM will be able to keep up production of the Malibu. "We have a good plan," he said. The news about Malibu production comes as the automaker cut production at a factory in Mexico that makes the Chevrolet HHR, shifting those parts to U.S. plants, said a person familiar with plant activity.[38] Kevin Riddell, powertrain forecasting manager for consultant J.D. Power and Associates, said a GM plant in Windsor, Ontario, could make up some lost transmission production, but GM would feel the effects quickly. "For the Malibu, they've really been going gangbusters trying to make parts for it," Riddell said.[28]

At a meeting with reporters in Detroit, Bo Andersson, GM's group vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, was asked when GM would run out of parts for the Malibu. Andersson's reply was "never," but he would not elaborate on how GM would ensure the flow of parts. There had been speculation that if the strike, now in its eighth week, began to disrupt production of the popular Malibu, GM might pressure its supplier to reach a settlement.[39] Demaagd's stock of GMC Envoys, a popular seller at the dealership, is edging down to 30 to 45 days' supply. The strike would have to last another month before it eats into Peckins' sales, illustrating GM's inventory cushion for its profitable trucks and SUVs, many of which are seeing sales declines because of rising gas prices. Lehman Brothers analyst Brian Johnson said in a note to investors this week that lost truck production during the strike, which he estimated at 87,000 during the first quarter, represents just a fraction of the decline in demand. Johnson estimates that GM will cut production of its large pickups and SUVs by 23% or 346,000 to 1.18 million vehicles.[20] So far, the strike has mainly hit production of GMs trucks and sport utility vehicles, which were selling slowly anyway.[10]

The strike at the Detroit-based supplier already has caused GM to stop SUV production in the United States.[23] GM sent another signal Tuesday night that it aims to stay on the sidelines as long as possible by indicating that Malibu production could continue indefinitely. Analysts say GM wants to stay out of negotiations -- which have shown progress in recent days -- because it has its own financial problems and stands to gain from lower costs at its supplier. As dealers draw down on their supplies of trucks, analysts say GM could be forced into negotiations. "At some point in time, if it's not settled and General Motors is going to get hurt. they're going to have to enter the room and they may have to enter the room with their checkbook," said restructuring expert Van Conway of Birmingham consulting firm Conway, Mackenzie & Dunleavy.[20] As the work stoppage continues for an eighth week, the agreement -- if confirmed -- would be the first sign of solid progress in a dispute that has brought General Motors Corp.' s U.S. production of SUVs to a halt.[41]

The strike has caused parts shortages that have closed or curtailed work at 29 General Motors Corp. factories, affecting about 39,000 hourly employees. The state's labor force continued its downward trend in early 2008.[36] The strike also has forced at least the partial idling of 30 General Motors Corp (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research ) plants in North America due to parts shortages.[16]

Detroit-based American Axle makes axles, stabilizer bars, drive shafts and other parts mainly for General Motors Corp.s pickup trucks and large sport utility vehicles.[12]

Some of the idled plants have returned to work using parts made at American Axle facilities in Mexico.[12] In Three Rivers Thursday, however, hundreds of marchers participated in a rally at the American Axle & Manufacturing plant.[17] The stalemate between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and the UAW appears to be over with significant progress occurring at the bargaining table, an auto industry publication reported today.[41]

DETROIT -- American Axle and the United Auto Workers will be back at the barganing table Friday morning.[52] United Auto Workers have not said what contract issues are on the table at the Delta Township facility, The Detroit Press reported.[45] The Delta Township strike adds to the number of plants the auto maker has temporarily shut down due to labor issues.[43] The Delta Township plant builds GM's popular trio of crossover SUVs, the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.[4]

As the strike continues, another is just beginning at the GM plant in Delta Twp., which is near Lansing.[51] The action brings to three the number of GM plants that face a strike threat.[3]

Even without the strike, the plant probably would have been shut down yesterday due to a lack of parts made by Alliance Interiors, another supply company at which the UAW is on strike.[8] The strike shut down production at the H2 plant in Mishawaka because of a parts shortage.[53] The strike could cripple production at the plant and have serious implications for the Detroit automaker.[30]

The plant went to the one-shift-on, one-shift-off strategy for the weeks of March 17 and 24. For the last three weeks, both shifts have been working on a slower-moving production line, a plan the automaker announced months ago to trim production from 52 jobs per hour to 44.[35]

UAW workers there walked off the job Thursday morning because of demands that aren't being met locally with the plant.[51] As reported in an interview, UAW local president stated that 200 people, or 10% of the plant's workers, have accepted a buyout package so far at the Lansing plant and hopes to attract about 400 worker before the offer expires on May 22.[18] The clock struck ten and still no deal was done, so one by one UAW Local 602 workers walked off the job.[54]

"We are disappointed that UAW Local 602 has taken strike action," GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[2] The bargainers for GM and the UAW local in Warren, Michigan, negotiated through the night on Thursday and took a break Friday, with talks set to resume on Saturday morning, GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[7] Despite the contract reached last fall with the Big Three automakers, most UAW locals are still negotiating on the local level, the newspaper said. Doug Rademacher, president of UAW Local 602, told the newspaper talks have broken off and he didn't know when they would restart.[45] UAW officials have not specified the local contract issues in dispute. In addition to the overarching UAW contract reached last fall with Detroit's Big Three automakers, most UAW locals are still negotiating plant-level deals.[2]

As usual, the UAW refused to make any comment on the content of the negotiations. In an op-ed piece published in the Detroit News earlier this month, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said contract proposals submitted by the union would impose real sacrifices on our members.[37] The UAW canceled a rally in Detroit because of progress in the negotiations. Oh MY, the MAJOR reason everything is so expensive is because of the unions and the outrageous pay they demand! Why do you think the average car costs $25,000? Union mentality is if the company makes a profit then the union should get part of the profit.[53]

The United Auto Workers union did postpone a rally scheduled for April 18 in Detroit saying negotiations with the auto-parts supplier continue.[49] The United Auto Workers union called the walkout on Feb. 26 when negotiations broke down over wages and benefits issues.[49]

Local negotiations were under way late Thursday in Warren, and a top Local 909 official said workers will report Friday morning but are prepared to strike. [10] Workers have been on strike at all five of its plants, including the one in Three Rivers, for 52 days.[53] If the plant were idled by the Alliance strike, workers would receive layoff pay. Now, they'll get much less in strike compensation.[2] Tim Berry, 50, of Holt, one of the 2-year-old plants 3,400 hourly workers, said the strike was justified.[10]

According to GM's website, some 3,300 hourly workers were employed at the plant at the end of April 2007.[5]

At GM, the second tier of workers comprises new hires assigned to jobs that aren't considered a core part of building cars.[19] Andersson said that GM has a plan in place for handling a potential shortage. While he did not answer when asked if he had another supplier lined up, he was unequivocal in his belief that the automaker will never run out of parts for the cars, even if the strike continues to drag on. Sounds like someone has an ace up his sleeve.[40] According to CNN.com, GM spokesman Dan Flores said the strike was the first in 10 years involving a local contract, which are negotiated separately from the national contract.[32] The notice says that, if talks break down, the local will issue GM a 12-hour strike notice.[43]

WWJ Auto Beat reporter Jeff Gilbert, outside the plant, reported that talks extended into last night, but broke off early Friday morning. The no-strike decision is good for GM, which needs the four- and six-speed transmissions for its best-selling vehicles, such as the Chevy Malibu.[55] This has been served from cache Request served from apache server: s263567nj2el41.uswhwk6.savvis.net Cached on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:56:37 GMT and will expire on Fri, 18 Apr 2008 17:56:36 GMT Tomcat Server /s263567nj2el60.uswhwk6.savvis.net/ GM, UAW transmission plant talks to continue Sat.[33]

Negotiators for American Axle and the UAW have been meeting daily since talks resumed a week ago.[16] "Progress is being made and talks continue. Talk of a tentative agreement is premature at this time," said Renee Rogers, an American Axle spokeswoman.[41] " They could reach an agreement by this weekend. Both sides have finally come to their senses." Renee Rogers, a spokeswoman for American Axle, said she knows who Automotive News' source is. "That's based on information (the writer) got from someone who is not part of the negotiations," Rogers said. She said negotiations are ongoing.[21]

The UAW has been considering a new contract offer from American Axle since Saturday.[12] Asked if GM will develop new axle sources from American Axle rivals, Andersson said: 'What we learn every day is to have alternatives.[23] The union has not commented publicly on the walkout but there has been speculation it could be trying to pressure GM into helping resolve the American Axle dispute.[13] GM is American Axle's largest customer, accounting for nearly 80% of the Detroit supplier's sales.[38] Nationally, GM has had to shut 29 facilities due to the lack of driveline components supplied by Detroit-based American Axle for GM pickups, sport utility vehicles and full-size vans.[25]

American Axle does not supply parts for the Malibu directly, but sells to major suppliers that provide parts for the car, according to reports.[18] American Axle says it needs to cut costs to stay competitive with other UAW-represented parts suppliers.[53] American Axle wants to cut wages to become competitive with other parts makers.[26] American Axle is insisting on a wage cut from $28 an hour to as low as $11.50, the elimination of pensions, steep cuts in health-care benefits and a massive consolidation of job classifications that would lead to substantial job reductions.[37]

Last week UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and American Axle CEO Richard E. Dauch met. Following that, top representatives from both sides began meeting on a regular basis.[24] Eighty members of the Machinists union at American Axle's forge in the Town of Tonawanda are honoring the picket line.[39] Representatives from American Axle and the union could not be reached immediately for comment on the report.[15]

Fear of a large turnout, not only of American Axle workers but other rank-and-file autoworkers, was undoubtedly a major factor in the decision by Solidarity House to scuttle the event.[37] The calling off of the rally came as a surprise and slap in the face to American Axle workers, who were attempting to mobilize wide participation.[37]

Detroit-based American Axle said it needed the cuts to become competitive with other parts makers.[41] American Axle primarily makes parts for trucks and large SUVs -- which few consumers have been buying, anyway.[34]

American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said negotiations were ongoing Wednesday evening and were expected to continue Thursday.[26] "Negotiations are ongoing," said Renee Rogers, American Axle spokesperson, in a statement.[53] 'Negotiations are continuing, progressing,' said Renee Rogers, American Axle spokeswoman.[24]

Local officials remain in Detroit where the negotiations are being held. The first report of progress came April 17 when Automotive News reported that a tentative contract agreement could be reached by this weekend. [49] Because of the progress, the UAW called off a large protest rally scheduled for downtown Detroit, Wendy Thompson, the retired ex-president of UAW Local 235 in Detroit, told Automotive News.[24]

On Wednesday the UAW abruptly cancelled a strike support rally set for April 18 in Detroit, citing progress in the talks.[37]

About 3,600 UAW members have been on strike against the Detroit-based auto parts maker for nearly two months.[52] "Michigan manufacturing jobs fell in March, reflecting the initial layoff activity caused by a major strike in the auto sector," said Rick Waclawek, director of the department's Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.[36]

The strike also shut a Hummer facility owned by GM but operated by AM General LLC. Until the strike is resolved, workers and businesses have to sit and wait.[25] The company has not been able to present the details of the agreement to the eligible workers due to the various strikes.[18] "Since weve been out here, we havent really had a local agreement," the 32-year GM quality control worker said.[10]

The Warren factory, represented by UAW Local 909, employs about 1,000 workers and produces four- and six-speed transmissions.[4] Even amid the tension and questions, workers began to rally a show of support for the UAW. Some drivers honked at leaving workers and shouted encouragement. Other began to hand out "UAW on Strike" picket signs.[2] For the first 48 hours, the only people who will walk the picket lines are elected and appointed union members. A lot of the people were not assigned to be out, but instead came to show their support for the strike. Other workers I talked to aren't sure why it had to come to this.[54] A union representative tells me there will be people out at all hours until a deal is reached. He says every worker is required to participate in strike duty, but they are still figuring out how long each group will be out there.[54]

Anonymous, please don't be so ignorant to fall for the union song and dance. The UAW is all but powerless these days and their strikes are lasting longer then any in history because of that.[53]

General Motors Corp.' s metal stamping plant in West Mifflin -- slated for closing now that a deal to buy it fell through last week -- is likely to remain open longer than expected, into the first quarter of 2009, a union official said Tuesday. [44] Initially, Darren McClain enjoyed the free time that came with the temporary shutdown of General Motors Corp.' s plant in Wentzville.[25]

Flores declined to comment whether GM would seek another buyer to run the plant as a metal stamping facility. A private equity company, Allegheny Holdings LLC, last week withdrew its bid to buy the plant because it said its lender would not renew a financing package that expired in March, and it could not obtain other financing in a short period of time. [44] Just across the street from the GM plant is Lear Corp.' s seating system plant. That supplier shut soon after GM's plant did. An answering machine at the facility instructs its 189 employees to call daily for updates. It took 10 days after the shutdown for the pipeline to dry up at Linn, Mo. -based Osage Industries, said John Kehoe, the company's president.[25]

"The plant will remain a GM facility for an unspecified period of time until work (at the plant) is either moved or it reaches the end of its life cycle," GM spokesman Daniel Flores said in a statement.[44] The continued operations at the plant, which stamps about 200 metal parts for a variety of GM cars and trucks, will depend upon the volume of work available.[44] The development averts a work stoppage for now at the plant, which builds transmissions for many of GM's cars, including the redesigned Chevrolet Malibu.[43]

In Wentzville, about 2,400 people work at the GM plant assembling the GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express full-size vans.[25]

"You do projects and start fixing things up and then you're like, 'Where's all the money going?'" McClain and his co-workers have been out of work since a labor dispute at a key supplier caused a parts shortage. That forced the Wentzville plant to stop its assembly line on March 6 and shut down the rest of the operations on March 10.[25] Local suppliers and other businesses dependent on the plant's production also have been hurt by the shutdown. They are all hoping that the source of the shortage may be fixed soon.[25] Cobalt production at the GM Lordstown plant continues on a day to day basis.[46]

The question of Malibu production appears to be resolved. Bo Andersson, GM's group vice president for global purchasing and supply chain, said this week that GM won't run out of parts for the popular Malibu -- avoiding what analysts viewed as a trigger for GM to dive into these talks.[20] It wouldn't be good for GM to lose any Enclave production. Sources close to the situation told Local 4 that while talks broke down Thursday, there's a strong likelihood they could resume Friday morning.[9]

The strike has forced GM to stop or slow production at 30 factories in the U.S. and Canada.[18] GM has a large stockpile of the trucks and SUVs whose production has been most heavily impacted by the strike.[39]

At the end of March, dealers had, on average, a 37-day supply of the Malibu on hand, which is low compared with the industry average of 64 days and the vehicles for which production has been stopped or reduced because of the strike, according to data from Automotive News.[38] Prior to the strike, the company proposed taking the production wage from about $27 an hour to $14.50 an hour in exchange for a buy-down, or cash payment.[35] According to the company, the special attrition program offers retirement pension incentives of $45,000 for production employees or $62,500 for skilled trades. The other retirement and buyout options available are similar to those offered to employees in 2006, General Motors stated.[18]

Help from GM could be in the form of more flexible pricing or cash contributions toward attrition packages, said Erich Merkle, vice president of forecasting at Grand Rapids-based consulting firm IRN Inc. Morgan Stanley auto analyst Jonathan Steinmetz wrote in a note to investors this month that there could be a combination of a financial contribution from GM, business guarantees and price cuts. It would be better for GM to gain cost savings without having to make a financial contribution, and General Motors has its own financial troubles.[20]

"Sales of GM's midsize SUVs and crossover vehicles rose 47 percent in the first quarter from a year earlier, driven by the Enclave, Acadia and Outlook," three rare success stories in a declining auto sales market.[34] The factory produces the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover vehicles which are selling well for GM.[31] The factory produces the popular Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover vehicles, which are built on a car platform to provide easier handling and better mileage than the larger SUVs.[5]

The facility builds the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia crossover SUVs. The strike has the potential to hurt the General.[34]

The crossover and transmission plant strikes could have a more serious impact.[10]

Shortly after 10 a.m. Thursday, hundreds of workers streamed out of the Delta Township plant and began walking picket lines.[10] Plant: "I knew there was a possibility that we were walking out, but I don't know why, nobody knows why. They won't tell us." Which she doesn't think is fair to all the workers who are now out a paycheck.[54]

Conn-Selmer workers from Elkhart -- on strike for two years now -- came out to support the workers in Three Rivers. '''The difference between us and them is we didn't have much of the city behind us," said Conn-Selmer worker Stacy Curtis. "This is wonderful that they've got a lot of backing here.''' '''It's about the whole community supporting these people," said Conn-Selmer worker Carl O'Haver. "Even the non-union people who work at the banks, the small businesses, all these people do business with them.'''[53]

The United Auto Workers canceled a rally planned for today to support the strikers, also citing progress in the talks.[8] Those workers will earn about $14 an hour instead of $18; Chrysler won't hire any fill-ins. Taking a part-time summer job with one of Detroit's Big Three automakers has long meant good, quick money for thousands of workers.[19] Chrysler LLC, struggling to pare back production to meet declining demand for its cars and trucks, doesn't plan to hire temps this summer, Chrysler spokesman Ed Saenz said Wednesday. It will be the automaker's third straight year of hiring few to no summer temps. The pay cut is one more sign that Detroit's automakers aren't the haven of high wages they once were. "It'd be nice to have those jobs be higher paying.[19]

According to the source, the two sides are making progress on three fronts: Wages, health care legacy costs, and job classifications. Dauch has been seeking fewer classifications to win more flexibility for his U.S. plants. He has also been pushing for lower wage rates, which the UAW has resisted.[24] The department will supervise a new nomination process and the election of the local's president, vice president, financial and recording secretaries; three trustees, guide and sergeant-at-arms, as well as the nominations and election for the office of unit chair, the notice said. Ryan Rettig, acting unit chairman, was appointed to the position by the local's board when Anthony Tallarita, who won his second term as chairman in the June election, took a job with the UAW International in August.[56]

In December 2007, the company had reached a deal with the UAW on the first phase of the comprehensive special attrition program. Details of this program were introduced to employees last month and those employees are now eligible for the enhanced provisions of the new agreement, the company noted.[18] A deal, however, is still not at hand. "Progress continues, but any discussion of a tentative agreement is premature at this time," reiterated spokeswoman Renee Rogers at company headquarters in Detroit.[49] Talks are continuing and the two sides are making progress, said company spokeswoman Renee Rogers. She said, "it's premature to talk about a tentative agreement at this point."[50] A company spokeswoman, while stating that progress is being made, warned that talk of an agreement is premature.[41]

We're hopeful we can reach an agreement, but any discussions of a tentative agreement are premature." Local union leaders say all they can do is wait and hold on. [53] On March 17, a voluntary compliance agreement was reached between Local 551 and the Labor Department, according to a notice the department sent to candidates in the June 2007 election.[56] At the time it was hailed as a reward for local labor leaders' willingness to bend to the company's changing needs.[29] The company wants to cut wages and benefits, saying it needs to reduce labor costs to compete with other suppliers that won union concessions.[35]

According to him, the Thomasville stores owned by the company for more than a year showed a same-store sales increase of more than 2% over the prior-year period. He further said that beginning in 2009, all the major new product introductions by the company would reflect consumer research and testing processes. The company also expects to realize the full benefits of FBN Asia, which would enable it to complement its domestic manufacturing assets with the most appropriate Asian supply chain partners. Scozzafava said that the appointment of Steve Rolls as the company's chief financial officer earlier this month and the recent addition of Jon Botsford as general counsel strengthened his team. For fiscal year 2008, Furniture Brands affirmed its outlook for earnings from continuing operations in a range of $0.40-$0.60 per share and revenue between $1.9 billion and $2.0 billion.[18] GM shares were down 7 cents, or 0.4 percent, at $19.83 in afternoon New York Stock Exchange trade. This article is copyrighted by International Business Times.[30] GM shares have lately traded under $20, hitting historic lows every few weeks and bringing the company's market capitalization down to $11.2 billion Wednesday.[20] GM shares closed down 11 cents, or 0.5 percent, at $19.79 on Thursday. Associated Press Writer Kathy Barks Hoffman in Lansing contributed to this report.[10]

American Axle shares rose 26 cents, or 1.2 percent, to $22.14, in Thursday trading.[12]

I don't see anything changing from where I sit," said Bo Andersson, GM's group vice president of global purchasing and supply chain, during a roundtable with reporters after a speech to the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce at the MGM Grand Detroit.[38] GM isn'''t talking about where it buys parts from. Strickland said he has asked UAW officials in Detroit to try to determine the source of parts needed in Lordstown.[48] Andersson has proved unusually adroit in overcoming natural and man-made disasters to get parts to GM's assembly plants. He was able to get parts from an earthquake-struck part of Japan; from Thailand following a coup; from the southern United States during flooding and from Mexico after terrorist-caused fuel line explosions last year.[23] The plant was scheduled to close last year, but GM kept it open while negotiations continued.[44] GM would not speculate on what might happen to the property when the plant closes, Flores said.[44]

Local 1112 had said the Lordstown plant could be shut down because of a parts shortage two weeks ago.[48] "We have been able to produce vehicles in all of our car plants, besides one.[38] Plant: "We're all going to stick together and we're going to work management for what we deserve."[54]

Union leaders and GM management "failed to agree on work rules and other issues." [34] The local and GM have been working on local rules that follow a national contract reached last Fall.[33] Some workers are hearing that any new deal would look similar to the contract reached in June at Delphi Corp.[50] Gwen Bayne: "I just don't like it, I don't. You know, I wish they'd tell us what the issues were, we don't have a say in it." Other workers say they don't need to know what's at issue in their contract. They're more than willing to walk the picket line around the clock.[54]

The UAW agreed to allow the companies to implement a two-tier wage system in the factories, with lower-paid workers making as little as $14, or about half the current hourly wage.[19] Michigan's labor force of 4.9 million workers is 41,000 lower than the level one year ago.[36]

GM North America's 2008 second-quarter production forecast remains unchanged at 1.08 million vehicles - 408,000 cars and 672,000 trucks. [18] For the recent first quarter of fiscal 2008, GM North America said production fell 17% to 885,000 vehicles, 360,000 cars and 525,000 trucks, from 1.063 million vehicles - 399,000 cars and 664,000 trucks.[18]

The crossovers have been important for GM as buyers trade in gas-guzzling sport utility vehicles. Crossovers are built on car underpinnings and are more efficient than SUVs, yet they have nearly the same people-carrying abilities.[10]

The factory makes four- and six-speed transmissions for nearly all of GM's cars.[11]

GM spokesman Dan Flores said talks between the two sides broke off for the time being.[14] GM spokesman Dan Flores said the negotiators talked through the night and agreed to take a break and resume talks on Saturday.[43]

We remain focused on reaching an agreement as soon as possible," GM spokesman Dan Flores said.[1]

The two parts were trying to reach an agreement for months but were unable to agree on the details of the contract and sign it.[1] Automotive News, quoting an unnamed source, said a tentative contract agreement could be reached by the weekend.[41]

"It does put stress on the company and their cash flows," said Pete Hastings, an auto industry corporate bonds analyst with Morgan Keegan Co. "They have plenty of liquidity and can make it for quite a while, but we dont like to see these strikes get out of hand." [10] Some 30 GM assembly and parts operations have either been idled or slowed down and numerous suppliers have suffered.[23] The local could be put on 12 hours' notice if the union did not see progress continuing, the notice said.[7] "The number has held at 700 to 800 for a couple weeks," said Gordie Fletcher, president of UAW Local 686 Unit No. 1 at Delphi Thermal. "We expect it to stay around that number, but involving different people as different departments rotate in and out," he said.[27] '''I know our people are putting forth a great effort up there," said UAW Local Vice President Bill Yountz.[53]

SOURCES

1. Workers at GM Key Plant Go on Strike
2. Lansing GM plant workers stage walkout
3. The Canadian Press: UAW warns of possible strike vs. GM plant near Grand Rapids Mich.
4. No strike today at GM Warren plant
5. UAW on strike at GM crossover plant in Michigan | Reuters
6. GM, UAW talk past strike deadline at Warren plant | Markets | Markets News | Reuters
7. UPDATE 2-GM, UAW local extend talks at transmission plant | Reuters
8. AUTOMOTIVE - washingtonpost.com
9. UAW Uses Leverage Against GM - Money News Story - WDIV Detroit
10. Local strikes hit GMs hot-selling vehicles and main transmissions plant - International Herald Tribune
11. Strike temporarily averted at key GM transmission plant - NewsFlash - mlive.com
12. American Axle reports progress in contract talks, but says deal is not imminent - International Herald Tribune
13. AFP: GM hit by strike at SUV plant
14. UAW Local Strikes GM Delta Township, Mich., Plant -GM
15. American Axle, UAW talks progressing -report | Industries | Consumer Goods & Retail | Reuters
16. American Axle, UAW talks progressing | Reuters
17. American Axle & Manufacturing strike nears two months; United Auto Workers march in Three Rivers - Michigan News, Updates, Photos & Video | Detroit, Lansing - MLive.com
18. RTTNews - Breaking News, financial breaking News, Positive EPS Surprises, Stock research .
19. GM, Ford to cut pay for summer temps
20. GM tries to stay out of talks in Axle strike | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
21. American Axle: Talk of a strike end 'premature'
22. General Motors Corp. to cut shift at Oshawa sedan plant
23. GM doesn't expect axle shortage for sedans - AutoWeek Magazine
24. Source: UAW and American Axle could have a deal by weekend - Crain's Detroit Business
25. STLtoday - GM's Wentzville workers are ready to go back to work
26. UAW calls off American Axle rally, cites progress in talks | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle
27. Delphi Lockport workers idle during strike - Business First of Buffalo:
28. Walkout at GM stops production of popular models - USATODAY.com
29. Talks to resume today between GM, UAW Local 602
30. UAW strikes at key GM crossover plant - International Business Times -
31. Strike continues at Eaton County plant : News : WEYI NBC25
32. GM Workers Walk Off As Labor Talks Stall | April 18, 2008 | AHN
33. GM, UAW transmission plant talks to continue Sat. | Markets | Markets News | Reuters
34. Multiple Strikes Hurt GM, May Affect Car Buyers - U.S. News Rankings and Reviews
35. GazetteXtra
36. State jobless rate stagnant at 7.2%
37. UAW sellout of American Axle strike imminent : Indybay
38. Axle strike won't stall Malibu | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
39. The Buffalo News: Business: GM says auto parts won't be a problem
40. GM says it won't run out of Malibu and G6 axles after all | Automotive News Blog - Wide Open Throttle
41. Movement in UAW, American Axle strike - St. Louis Business Journal:
42. American Axle: Progress Made As UAW Talks Continue
43. GM, UAW Talks Continue At Warren, Mich., Plant Past Deadline
44. GM stamping plant likely to remain open into 2009 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
45. Workers walk out of Lansing GM plant - UPI.com
46. 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio - Workers Walk Off Job at Lansing GM Assembly Plant
47. UAW on strike at GM crossover plant in Michigan | U.S. | Reuters
48. Official says local GM plant has enough parts - Vindy.com News - Local & Regional News - Youngstown, Warren, Columbiana, Ohio
49. Axle strike: Talks on, UAW rally off - Business First of Buffalo:
50. American Axle, UAW see gains | Freep.com | Detroit Free Press
51. Local News: Hundreds Support American Axle Strikers | strikers, support, american - wwmt.com
52. Progress reported in American Axle talks : News : WEYI NBC25
53. Community members rally with striking American Axle workers | WSBT South Bend - Your Local News Leader | Local News
54. WLNS TV 6 Lansing Jackson Michigan News and Weather - WLNS.COM | Workers Talk About Strike
55. WWJ Newsradio 950 - No Strike at GM Warren Plant
56. New election for UAW Local 551 / nwi.com

GENERATE A MULTI-SOURCE SUMMARY ON THIS SUBJECT:

Please WAIT 10-20 sec for the new window to open...
You might want to EDIT the default search query below:
Get more info on UPDATE 2-GM, UAW local extend talks at transmission plant by using the iResearch Reporter tool from Power Text Solutions.

Give Us Your Feedback!

How did you like this article?

Above is the automatically generated multi-source news digest.

Its main content has been compiled basing on the fair use of snippets from original news stories (initially clustered by the Google News) by applying our multi-document summarization technology. The title has been excerpted from this article, and the top image was found here.