by Austin Gergens
A recent supply chain snag for a General Motors light-duty truck plant may foreshadow further delays if the United Auto Workers decide to strike over unresolved contract issues in the near future.
“GM is actively working with our supplier to resolve the issues that have arisen so we can begin producing the vehicles that are in such high demand with our dealers and customers,” Fort Wayne Plant Executive Dennys Pimenta wrote to employees.
The General Motors Fort Wayne Assembly Plant which manufactures the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, will have its production shutdown this week and an additional week through Sept. 8 for an unspecified supply constraint according to a company official.
Other plants such as the Silao Assembly in Mexico and Oshawa Assembly in Ontario have also experienced similar problems with supply chain snags earlier this year.
Supply chain delays might not be the only cause of GM, Ford, and Stellantis plant partial and full shutdowns come Sept. 14 and beyond after a vote last week which authorized UAW employees across the country to host strikes if contract issues are not resolved by the 14th.
“Our union’s membership is clearly fed up with living paycheck-to-paycheck while the corporate elite and billionaire class continue to make out like bandits,” said UAW President Shawn Fain. “The Big Three have been breaking the bank while we have been breaking our backs.”
UAW covers more than 150,000 employees across Ford, GM, and Stellantis and has named several contract elements they want adjusted.
“The union’s demands include the elimination of tiered wages and benefits, wage increases to offset inflation and match the generous salary increases of company executives over the last four years, the re-establishment of cost-of-living allowances and defined benefit pensions and retiree healthcare, the right to strike over plant closures, significant increases to current retiree benefits, and more paid time off to be with family,” according to UAW officials.
On Thursday, the Michigan UAW hosted an online informational session for UAW members and the public regarding organizing strategies ahead of a potential strike.
“For decades, unions across the country have used this tactic because it’s simple, fun and sends a clear message to the boss,” UAW officials said, “The Teamsters were the most recent union to use practice pickets to win a strong contract. Now it’s our turn.”
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Austin Gergens is a staff reporter for Michigan News Source.
Photo “GM Truck Assembly Line” by Jeffrey Sauger for General Motors.
