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A6 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 17 sepTember 2019
GM walkout brings factories and warehouses to a standstill

By TOM KRISHER and MIKE Ohio, where it has a huge
HOUSEHOLDER factory that has already
Associated Press stopped making cars and
DETROIT (AP) — More than will be closed. The new fac-
49,000 members of the Unit- tory would be in addition to
ed Auto Workers went on a proposal to make elec-
strike Monday against Gen- tric vehicles for a company
eral Motors, bringing more called Workhorse, the per-
than 50 factories and parts son said.
warehouses to a standstill It's unclear how many work-
in the union's first walkout ers the two plants would
against the No. 1 U.S. auto- employ. The closures, es-
maker in over a decade. pecially of the Ohio plant,
Workers left factories and have become issues in
formed picket lines shortly the 2020 presidential cam-
after midnight in the dis- paign. President Donald
pute over a new four-year Trump has consistently criti-
contract. The union's top cized the company and
negotiator said in a letter to demanded that Lordstown
the company that the strike be reopened.
could have been averted Kristin Dziczek, vice presi-
had the company made its dent of labor and industry
latest offer sooner. for the Center for Automo-
The letter dated Sunday tive Research, an industry
suggests that the company think tank, said the letter
and union are not as far and resumption of contract
apart as the rhetoric lead- General Motors employees Bobby Caughel, left, and Flint resident James Crump, shout out as talks are encouraging signs.
ing up to the strike had in- they protest with other GM employees, United Auto Workers members and labor supporters out- "It makes me think that both
dicated. Negotiations con- side of the Flint Assembly Plant on Monday, Sept. 16, 2019 in Flint, Mich. sides are probably closer
tinued Monday in Detroit Associated Press than it might have seemed
after breaking off during before," she said.
the weekend. cerned for younger col- company's latest offer day that it offered pay But both Dziczek and Art
But union spokesman Brian leagues who are making might have made it possi- raises and $7 billion worth Wheaton, an auto industry
Rothenberg said the two less money under GM's ble to reach an agreement of U.S. factory investments expert at the Worker Insti-
sides have come to terms two-tier wage scale and if it had come earlier. resulting in 5,400 new posi- tute at Cornell University,
on only 2% of the contract. have fewer benefits. "We are disappointed that tions, a minority of which say GM left out key details
"We've got 98% to go," he Paul Kane, from South the company waited until would be filled by existing when it made part of its of-
said Monday. Lyon, Michigan, a 42-year just two hours before the employees. GM would not fer public, and working out
Asked about the possibility GM employee, said much contract expired to make give a precise number. The those details could make
of federal mediation, Presi- of what the union is fighting what we regard as its first company also said it of- the strike last longer.
dent Donald Trump, said for will not affect him. serious offer," Dittes wrote fered higher profit sharing, "I think GM kind of sabo-
it's possible if the company "It's not right when you're in the letter to Scott Sand- "nationally leading" health taged some of the negoti-
and union want it. working next to someone, efur, GM's vice president of benefits and an $8,000 ations by going immediate-
"Hopefully they'll be able doing the same job and labor relations. payment to each worker ly to the public," Wheaton
to work out the GM strike they're making a lot more There are many important upon ratification. said. "It really distorts the
quickly," Trump said before money," he said. "They items left in the talks, in- Before the talks broke off, offer."
leaving the White House for should be the making the cluding wage increases, GM offered new products The strike shut down 33
New Mexico. "Hopefully, same as me. They've got pay for new hires, job secu- to replace work at two of manufacturing plants in
they're going to work it out families to support." rity, profit sharing and treat- four U.S. factories that it in- nine states across the U.S.,
quickly and solidly." Kane said GM workers ment of temporary workers, tends to close. as well as 22 parts-distribu-
Wall Street did not like see- gave up pay raises and Dittes wrote. "We are willing The company pledged tion warehouses. It's the first
ing the union picketers. made other concessions to meet as frequently, and to build a new all-electric national strike by the union
GM shares closed Monday to keep GM afloat during for as long as it takes, to pickup truck at a factory in since a two-day walkout in
down 4.2 percent to $37.21. its 2009 trip through bank- reach an agreement that Detroit, according to a per- 2007 that had little impact
On the picket line Monday ruptcy protection. treats our members fairly," son who spoke to The Asso- on the company.
at GM's transmission plant "Now it's their turn to pay us the letter said. ciated Press on condition of Workers at Fiat Chrysler and
in Toledo, Ohio, workers back," he said. "That was GM issued a statement say- anonymity. The person was Ford continued working un-
who said they have been the promise they gave." ing it wants to reach a deal not authorized to disclose der contract extensions.
with the company for more UAW Vice President Terry that builds a strong future details of the negotiations. Any agreement reached
than 30 years were con- Dittes told GM that the for workers and the busi- The automaker also offered with GM will serve as a tem-
ness. to open an electric vehicle plate for talks with the other
The automaker said Sun- battery plant in Lordstown, two companies.q

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