Contractors Banned At GM Facilities After Hitting UAW Strikers With Car

GM has issued a statement regarding an incident earlier this week in which a car hit UAW members picketing outside the GM Flint Processing Center in Michigan. GM has stated that the suspected individual behind the wheel of the car, as well as two other individuals inside the car, are banned from entering any GM property. The UAW expanded its strike to include the GM Flint Processing Center last week.

According to initial reports, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. outside the GM Flint Processing Center on 6060 West Bristol Road in Swartz Creek. The vehicle in question, a dark-colored Chevy HHR, drove through a group of protesters blocking an exit on West Bristol Road, hitting five people in the process. The driver then fled east down W. Bristol Road.

Four of the protesters hit suffered minor injuries, while one of the individuals was taken to the hospital.

Now, according to a report from local CBS-affiliate WNEM, GM has issued a statement addressing the incident. According to GM spokesperson David Barnas, the car involved was suspected to have been driven by a third-party housekeeping contractor employed by Malace. The contractor is suspected of hitting UAW demonstrators while attempting to leave the processing center after performing normal sanitation duties during a normal shift. The individual behind the wheel, as well as two other Malace employees in the car, have been banned from entering any GM property.

Barnas added that GM has “conducted safety talks at all GM facilities with active picketing activity to reinforce the expectation and requirement that any employees who experience picketers blockading entry or exit to our property contact site security to help them safely proceed past the picketing employees.” Barnas also said that the latest reinforcement talks are in addition to picketing safety talks already completed among all GM salaried and contract employees.

The GM Flint Processing Center in Michigan was among 38 parts distribution facilities targeted by the UAW in last week’s strike expansion against GM and Stellantis. The union is currently striking against all three of the Big Detroit automakers.

Subscribe to GM Authority for more 2023 GM UAW news, UAW news, GM business news, GM production news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

Jonathan Lopez

Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

View Comments

  • The big three have the right to file injunctions against the picketers just like the Clarios plant did in Holland Ohio this summer during their strike and those picketers weren’t even technically blocking the entrance or exit to the plant, only delaying. The pickers better be careful on how they behave because there is a proper way to Picket as well. The UAW should be having talks with everybody about this etiquette as well. They are not allowed to block entrances and exits only delay.

  • Stop blocking people's right of way. Pathetics idiots. They are lucky they were only touched by the vehicle. Morons.

  • Well my thing is they say they are taking a stand for all blue collar workers, if that the case how come your blocking the entrance and exits, on the blue collar workers that can't strike? When a truck driver shows up they have a job to do,they do not work for you are any of the big 3 auto companies, they work for the company on the door, they were told to go there. I just want to know if you guys are trying to get everyone a raise that makes the big 3 profits, or just yourself? A lot of the parts that go on these cars are not made by the big 3, and are made in the USA. Uaw works can't make cars without parts so, if you are looking out for the blue collar people you should refuse a contract that doesn't get any one that makes or moves parts more money to.

  • So whats not being said? Did the crowd of useless union "workers" start surrounding the car? We have seen before what happens when protesters surround cars, not going to take a chance and get got by a large group of angry protesters. Also if you want more money join a none union shop, where if you work harder then the rest and get recognized you actually get a pay raise. Unions hold you back because of the lowest employee.

  • you were doing good until you said unions hold you back, are you retarded? union jobs pay MINIMUM 50 percent more than non union jobs. usually 150 percent more. how about you dont just say stuff without knowing what you are talking about? but ya dont block the road if you dont want run over, news flash peoples lives dont matter.

  • I was in a union for thirteen years local 310. They were good at collecting union dues. Other than that they agreed with the company all the time.. We're in a bad situation now with all these illegal immigrants. If they get approved to work look out....

  • I think people should be treated the way they wanted to be treated...People this is known as the Golden Rule...If u don't like unions. That's ur right...But to think running another human over is ok...Is problematic...

  • Regardless of whether they were blocking the exit or not. Hit and run is a felony. This being said, I am totally against blocking roads as a form of protest. They were 100% in the wrong. But hit and run is not an excuse.