UAW Favors “Targeted” Strike Strategy, Should Labor Negotiations Go South
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The United Auto Workers union has a big year ahead of it. Following General Motors’ massive manufacturing restructuring announcement this past November, four U.S. plants are either idled or preparing to idle in the months to come.
Come September 14, the current UAW-GM labor contract will expire, and there’s absolutely the possibility of a strike on the table. However, don’t look for one unified national strike these days. Automotive News (subscription required) reported Sunday that the UAW instead favors a “targeted” strike strategy, which could be just as effective.
Gone are the days of national strikes due to a number of factors. The UAW represents far more workers outside of the automotive industry these days, and houses fewer members than it did, say, 20 years ago. Experts agreed that it would be mighty difficult for every UAW member to agree to a national strike in a case where GM doesn’t give an inch on union demands. High on the priority list is job security for UAW workers, fewer temporary workers, and the ultimate prize: getting assembly lines humming at the Lordstown, Ohio, Detroit-Hamtramck, Michigan, and two transmission plants again.
GM has shown no intentions to keep any of the plants open as it looks to streamline operations and increase profitability as it expects tougher times ahead.
A targeted strike will be the preferred method, per the report. Here, the UAW would call on one central plant to the automaker’s operations to walk out and take to the picket line. In GM’s case, AN identified two prime targets: the Toledo transmission plant and Tonawanda engine plant. Toledo builds transmissions for 10 vehicle assembly plants in the United States and Canada, which would effectively halt operations at those other plants. In this strategy, other UAW workers at the plants without parts keep their pay and benefits.
The strategy includes the possibility of rotating strikes, too. To share the burden, Toledo transmission could come online, but the UAW could vote to strike at the Tonawanda engine plant. While transmissions would be produced, engines for crucial models would cease production. Tonawanda builds four-cylinder engines for crossovers and sedans, and produces both V8 and V6 engines for trucks and SUVs—all important vehicles for GM.
It remains to be seen how negotiations will unfold with GM and the UAW, but we have a feeling it will be a long summer.
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Source: Automotive News (subscription required)
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This has the potential for a lose-lose situation. If the UAW caves on the four plants it will come across as even weaker and open the door for even more plant closings this next contract cycle. A strike would cost GM potentially billions. If the UAW and were smart it would try to negotiate new product for DHam, Lordstown, and Baltimore now before they are painted in a corner.
The UAW is going to get offered deals and they need to do what is best for all not just a couple plants.
I do believe Lordstown is in play. Things are very quiet there and both sides have been generally respectful.
A strike would hurt all. GM would lose but also the workers would lose too. They would lose pay they would never recoup and could damage Gzm till it effects their present jobs.
I expect both will find middle ground as both have skin in this game.
The reality is GM has more plants than they need. GM has used this to make plants complete for contracts. Less over capacity of production would actually help them get bigger deals.
DHam is an essential plant for the UAW as well. The President of its Local is sitting on the negotiating committee. Word I hear is that it is going to remain open. Also remember they can always move work back in the US.
Nobody wins during a strike, been in three of them during my 30 years, you never get back what you lose financially, but you can’t let the corporation win either. They’re just like a mule, you give them an inch and they’ll take a mile. The plant closings are a bargaining chip to get the UAW to give concessions in other areas. Glad I retired and got out of the mess.
Targeted. What a joke! IUAW will target fhe plants that GM wants them to. This only ensures that no in demand product will be slowed down. IUAW IS A SHAM!
If the UAW targets them Should negotiations go south. GM will just close up shop and move production south too. It’s a lose lose situation for the UAW.
The UAW history is rife with corruption and greed. It is no wonder that companies have been leaving the corrupt, far left, union northern states for the more prosperous pro business right to work states of the south.
You mean like FCA did recently?
GM will do what is good for the Board of Directors . Mary is only the spokesman for them . Some of the decisions made in the last few years have cost the Corp. a bundle . In the grand scheme of things a strike won’t hurt much as inventory levels are within normal range and since GM isnt concerned with market share as years past but only TAPs , the union may wwell want to save their curent employment levels .
Sorry, Mary Barra does what is best for Mary Barra. When you have complete control over who comes and stays on the board like she does, it basically becomes a rubber stamp.
“In this strategy, other UAW workers at the plants without parts keep their pay and benefits.” You should re-read the strike clause in the contract.
“(118) The Union has requested this National Agreement in place of independent agreements for each bargaining unit covered hereby. Accordingly an authorized strike in one bargaining unit under this Agreement which results in an interruption of the flow of material or services to operations in any other bargaining unit under this Agreement will be considered an authorized strike in any such affected bargaining unit.”
Get all the GM plants on strike together, or don’t bother rattling that sabre. Targeted strikes and rotating strikes are wishywashy pageantry.
Probably won’t win much if anything with or without a strike, GM does what it wants when it wants. No amount of concession begging will change that. Look at the ‘super competitive operating agreement’ Lordstown made to stay open, all that bending over backwards just to be closed down anyhow.
Buy foreign non UAW vehicles. Cut gm and the uaw throats. International guys get two pensions. How’s that fair?