Laid-off workers join strikers at American Axle; GM idles another plant

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080331/BUSINESS01/80331034

By JEWEL GOPWANI • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • March 31, 2008

Laid off workers at American Axle & Manufacturing officially joined the UAW’s strike at the supplier, nearly five weeks after the work stoppage started.

Meanwhile, General Motors Corp. closed another plant today that earlier in the strike had only cut production.

American Axle had asked about 400 workers who had been laid off before the strike to report to work today. In Detroit, a union leader at UAW Local 235 walked about 60 workers down Holbrook Avenue to a plant entrance across the street from the company’s headquarters, to check in with the company, and declare that they are on strike.

The move means that those workers can no longer receive unemployment benefits and are eligible for strike pay of $200 a week.

It comes as the company placed ads in area newspapers seeking workers for the plants subject to the strike to “to fill anticipated attrition replacement openings after negotiations or in place of employees involved in this strike," the ad said.

Also today GM, American Axle’s largest customer, said it shut down its Toledo transmission plant, which makes 4- and 6-speed transmissions. The automaker had continued making 6-speed transmissions during the strikes, but shut down production altogether on Monday. It also stopped production at the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant that makes Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans, as previously reported.

Contact JEWEL GOPWANI at 313-223-4550 or [e-mail]

[Joesunionreview]

1. I think there should be a correction in that story

Maybe I'm assuming, but I think there is an error in the first line and it should read "Laid off workers at GM officially joined the UAW’s strike at the supplier, American Axle & Manufacturing, nearly five weeks after the work stoppage started."

Sorry, I don't have many rights at this site yet and cannot figure which thread I asked how you were feeling and when you were going to get operated on. I can't even send a PM yet. :(

[Joesunionreview]

2. I stand corrected

Seeing an article at Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/BUSINESS01/80401039 set me straight

"The announcement comes as tensions compound between the company and strikers. American Axle on Sunday started advertising for jobs at the plants subject to a strike. On Monday, American Axle workers laid off before the strike declined a call to return to work and officially joined the strike. "

sorry for my confusion