Posted on Monday 5 May 2008
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.
Unbelievable!!!
It is managements job to provide a fantastic product it is then the job of the guys on the factory floor to build that product perfectly and finally it is up to the folks on the show room floor to sell it.
That there is job security!!!!!
Idiots. Do they not realise that a strike does more harm than good. Maybe they feel that management is not listening but a bone head move like this costs the company money and that money should be spent on further improving GM’s product line.
Turn your company around people and when you do you will find that you are still employed!