Axle strike mirrors pain of 1970 walkout at GM

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080503/AUTO01/805030335/1148

But instead of fighting for raise, UAW battles cuts
Eric Morath / The Detroit News

The United Auto Workers strike against American Axle, now in its 68th day, has become one of the longest walkouts in the 73-year history of the UAW -- surpassing even the union's momentous national strike against General Motors Corp. in 1970.

Both strikes -- lengthy, ideological battles fought against the backdrop of a struggling economy -- inflicted deep financial pain on workers and the industry.

The outcomes, however, will be vastly different.

In 1970, the UAW won a 13 percent pay raise; American Axle workers are resisting a pay cut of up to 50 percent.

Negotiations between American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. and the UAW continued Friday. Both sides reported progress this week, but neither said a deal was at hand. The strike began Feb. 26 when 3,650 workers walked off the job.

The American Axle and GM strikes both represent a fundamental shift in the principles for which the union is willing to fight.

Until last fall, the 1970 walkout was the last national strike against an automaker. That battle netted the union cost-of-living increases for the first time.

FULL story at link.