Supplier moves to hire as union workers picket (more going on at American Axle)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080330/BUSINESS01/803300683/1014/BUSINESS01

BY JEWEL GOPWANI • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • March 30, 2008

Nearly five weeks into the UAW strike at American Axle & Manufacturing Inc., the company is hiring workers for four plants in New York and Michigan that are subject to the work stoppage.

The Detroit supplier says the hiring is intended to give the company a group of workers ready to start as workers now on strike leave their jobs. Any deal between the union and the company is expected to include buyout and early retirement packages.

"We are currently preparing a pool of potential new associates in anticipation of those events," American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said Saturday.

Little progress has been made on key economic issues at the heart of contract negotiations, such as wages, benefits and buyout packages.

Word spread among workers Saturday that the company is seeking replacement workers.

Wendy Thompson, former president of UAW Local 235, said in an e-mail message that the union learned the company expects to have more than 20 replacement workers report to work Monday.

FULL story at link.

[hoosier_lefty]

1. The strike sucks all the way around.

It seems the UAW doesn't have much clout anymore. It's
weird that they would strike when the economy is in the toilet.

I hope they settle soon, alot of union and non union shops
are being affected by this strike.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Welcome to the DU and the Labor Forum

Well the company wants to cut pay in 1/2 from $28 to $14. Cut Benefits too. It isn't easy. After the Spam strike was lost, packing house pay is still lower now than it was 30 years ago.


Some 1,400 Hormel workers went on strike on Aug. 17, 1985. Then Reagan and Patco. Lost list.

[hoosier_lefty]

3. 1/2 pay ?

ok so when they lose their homes will Mccain & others
say it was because they bought a home they should have known
they wouldn't be able to afford ?

I think Edwards had the right idea when he talked about
unions being needed.

If I lost half my pay, I would lose all of my house!

[DainBramaged]

4. I wish I could be one of the pickets on the line as the scabs tried to cross

Jusy 'sayin.:smoke: