Roughly 500 unionized workers at a Lear Corporation seating factory in Wentzville, Missouri recently went on strike, thus forcing the nearby GM Wentzville plant to temporarily idle production of GM midsize trucks and full-size vans.
According to a report from Automotive News, the workers – who are represented by UAW Local 282 – went on strike after negotiations surrounding labor contacts between Lear and union broke down. Notably, General Motors stated that the plant was idled July 23rd, 2024.
“We can confirm that GM Wentzville Assembly Plant has been impacted by part shortages resulting from a labor dispute at one of our suppliers,” a GM spokesperson noted in a prepared statement. “We hope both sides work quickly to resolve their issues so we can resume our regular production schedule to support our customers.”
Interestingly, a report from the Detroit Free Press found that the Detroit-based automaker had sent a letter to Lear Corporation stating that the latter is in breach of its contract with the former by not supplying the seats needed to build midsize trucks and full-size vans. This letter then prompted the UAW to file an unfair labor practice charge against Lear with the National Labor Relations Board.
“The company has had plenty of time to make things right, but instead spent half a billion dollars on stock buybacks and dividends last year,” UAW Region Four Director Brandon Campbell stated. “Now Wentzville Assembly is down thanks to Lear’s refusal to bargain a fair deal.”
“We have negotiated in good faith with the UAW for some time to reach a new collective bargaining agreement,” a Lear Corporation spokesperson remarked in a prepared statement. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that will benefit all parties.”
As background, the Wentzville plant was the first GM facility to be targeted by the union last fall during its widespread strikes against the Big Three. Beyond that, Lear Corporation was ranked as the tenth largest supplier in the world.
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wentzville really can't catch a break
Might as well officially stick a fork in the Express now.
Doubt anyone still waiting for a van order will have any patience for this.
This time it is all on Lear! They have put thousands out of work at GM Wentzville. Time to give the workers what they need and deserve and let the hard working people at Wentzville go back to work. They build the Canyon and Colorado and the GMC and Chevy Vans. America is tired of the greedy companies like Lear, and the membership will win this fight!