Looks like all UAW strikes and rumors of strikes have been put to rest. The Fairfax Bargaining Chair called the Local 602 Bargaining Chair, and a couple days later, they settled.
American Axle is well on its way to ratifying it’s agreement. I have mixed feelings about that, but I trust their membership did what was best for them. I just hate to see any concessions, cutbacks or plant closures when there is no external economic relief to compensate. Gas prices keep going up. Housing industry is plummeting while home forclosures escalate.
The American Axle workers deserve a standing ovation for their commitment to their ideals and support for their union and Bargaining Committee.
Meanwhile, back at LDT … management seems to think our strike was in support of the strike at American Axle. Where that one came from is anybody’s guesstimate. Our plant does not buy any parts from American Axle that I know of. Our production was in no way restricted or threatened by their strike.
Besides, secondary boycotts/strikes are illegal, and I’m pretty sure GM would have filed charges with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) if had that been the case.
Ditto the strike at Alliance Interiors. Yes, they supply LDT with carpets and other parts, but LDT had alternate suppliers lined up, so that strike would have had limited-if any-impact on LDT production.
If anything, the strike at LDT could have seriously hampered the strike effort at Alliance/Local 724 by reducing the demand for their products. Thank God they were able to wring a decent agreement out of Alliance management.
Most of the strike-related info on Local 602’s website will come down this weekend. Our 602 photographer, Brian Masengale, suggested putting his hundreds of photos on DVD to sell to our members as a fund raiser for our (way-down-the-road-in-time) new union hall.
GM Exec Troy Clarke’s niece is at LDT as an intern, will be teaching some training classes.
Solid!
dona jean
