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U.S. NEWS Tuesday 24 sepTember 2019

GM strike in 2nd week: Some progress but no end in sight

By TOM KRISHER new hires, and use of tem- the talks include the for-
AP Auto Writer porary workers. The person mula for profit sharing,
NEW YORK (AP) — The strike didn’t want to be identified which the union wants to
against General Motors by because details of the bar- improve. Currently workers
49,000 United Auto Workers gaining are confidential. get $1,000 for every $1 bil-
entered its second week Already the strike forced lion the company makes
Monday with progress re- GM to shut down two Ca- before taxes in North Amer-
ported in negotiations but nadian factories that make ica. This year workers got
no clear end in sight. engines, older-model checks for $10,750 each,
Bargainers met all week- pickup trucks and two car less than last year’s $11,500.
end and returned to talks models. If the strike drags Wages also are an issue
Monday morning as the on much longer, GM likely with the company seeking
strike entered its eighth will have to close more fac- to shift compensation more
day. tories in Mexico and Cana- to lump sums that depend
Talks continued even as da because engines, trans- on earnings and workers
GM accused picketers in missions and other compo- wanting hourly increases In this Sept. 16, 2019 file photo, union members picket outside a
Tennessee of blocking traf- nents are built in the United that will be there if the General Motors facility in Langhorne, Pa.
fic, placing screws and States. Companies that economy goes south. Associated Press
nails on public roads, ha- supply parts to GM also will They’re also bargaining two of four locations where sembly plant. The factory
rassing motorists and dam- have to start cutting pro- over use of temporary it wants to close factories. would be run by a joint
aging vehicles. duction. workers and a path to It’s proposed an electric venture, and although it
The company detailed its Consumers this week will make them full-time, as well pickup truck for the Detroit- would have UAW workers,
complaints before a local start to see fewer trucks, as a faster track for getting Hamtramck plant and a GM is proposing they work
judge approved a tempo- SUVs and cars on dealer newly hired workers to the battery factory in the Lord- for pay that’s lower than
rary restraining order Sun- lots. top UAW wage. stown, Ohio, area, where the company pays at as-
day barring certain unruly Cox Automotive said that GM has offered products in it is closing a small-car as- sembly plants.q
behavior at the Spring Hill GM had stocked up be-
factory complex, which fore the strike with a 77-day
makes engines and SUVs. supply of vehicles. But be-
Court documents say fore the strike, the supply
about 100 nonunion sala- of larger SUVs such as the
ried GM employees and Chevrolet Tahoe already
contractors remain work- was below the industry av-
ing at the plant so it can erage 61 days’ worth of ve-
resume normal operations hicles.
when the strike ends. GM Workers also will feel pres-
is also shipping 1,000 fin- sure. They got their last GM
ished vehicles ordered by paycheck last week and
customers via commercial will have to start living on
haulers. The company says $250 per week in strike pay
safety and security are the starting this week.
highest priority and a mi- The union wants a bigger
nority of picketers was un- share of GM’s more than
lawful. $30 billion in profits during
Several protesters were the past five years. But the
arrested for blocking the company sees a global
roadway last Wednesday. auto sales decline ahead
UAW spokesman Brian and wants to bring its labor
Rothenberg says the union costs in line with U.S. plants
is committed to conduct- owned by foreign auto-
ing strike-related activities makers.
safely and lawfully and is The top production work-
working with law enforce- er wage is about $30 per
ment as issues arise. hour, and GM’s total labor
In the talks, a person costs including benefits are
briefed on them said bar- about $63 per hour com-
gainers are haggling about pared with an average
wages and profit sharing, of $50 at factories run by
new product for factories foreign-based automakers
that GM wants to close, a mainly in the South.
faster route to full wages for Issues that are snagging