Last week UAW workers for GM voted to authorize a strike if need be.
Now, Mlive reports the chances of calling a strike are “very, very low”, according to Sean McAlinden, chief economist at the Center for Automotive Research in Michigan.
In a letter to union presidents and chairpersons, UAW Vice President Cindy Estrada said a full 97 percent of GM’s roughly 50,000 UAW workers voted in favor of the strike authorization. While the authorization permits leadership to call a strike, the vote itself does not indicate a strike is imminent.
The authorization also marks the very first GM workers for UAW can strike since 2009, after workers were banned from walking due to stipulations laid out in GM’s government bailout.
The UAW first signed contacts with GM, Ford and Chrysler back in 2011 and the strike authorization comes just days before the contract’s September 15 expiration date. Contract negations began in July and are expected to lead into next month, despite the fixed expiration date.
“We remain committed to working with our UAW partners on an agreement that benefits employees and strengthens GM’s long-term competitiveness,” said a GM spokesperson.
Comments
UAW insists on trying to bankrupt GM again.
Can’t get out of their own way.
Well some parts of them are still focused on grabbing all they can get but many others parts of them have learned to give a little get more in return. The plant here at Lordstown is nothing like it used to be. The union and GM have gotten along well.
I think being so close to Youngstown and Pittsburg they have learned from the steel companies even the largest will move on with out them if they do not work with them.
Unions suck and are hell bent on destroying this country.
You are wrong. Go read up on the history of labor unions in the United States before you type.
You probably have received most of your information from a drunkard at the bar.