Update: Work resumes at Kansas Chevrolet Malibu

Updated: Workers from UAW Local 31 will resume manufacturing the Chevrolet Malibu after voting in favor of a new deal with GM, ending a 17 day strike that threatened supply of one of the carmaker’s most important models. Malibu sales in the U.S. are up more than 30% this year despite GM’s overall sales declining more than 12% and dealers only had about four weeks of inventory when the strike first hit.

The deal was ratified by 88% of UAW Local 31’s staff and included a cash award of up to $1,250 plus calls for improvements in workplace conditions. This was the second strike for GM after workers at its Lansing site in Michigan also ceased work.

Original: After a negotiation deadline passed this morning, the UAW Local 31 decided to strike at GM’s Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas and has forced production of the top-selling Chevrolet Malibu sedan (pictured) to cease. Union members are striking reluctantly, having hoped a deal would be reached that would benefit both sides.

The strike is over issues of seniority and job security and demands were first presented to GM by union officials close to two weeks ago. Workers were seeking a local contract, which would provide guidance on work rules, seniority and other non-economic issues, reports Automotive News. Currently, only 11 out of 72 GM plants have local contracts, although the UAW has a national contract with GM that was signed back in September of last year.

Fairfax is the second major GM assembly plant to strike over the failure to obtain a local contract. GM’s Delta Township plant in Michigan, which assembles the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook, has been on strike for the past three weeks.

The Chevrolet Malibu is also assembled at GM's Orion Township plant in Michigan, which already has a local contract, although some delays in delivery are still expected. Delay problems for GM have also been compounded by ongoing strikes at five American Axle plants, which has either idled or hampered production at 31 other GM sites.