Posted on Sep 21, 2023
UAW strike latest: GM sends 2,000 workers home in Kansas
791
8
2
5
5
0
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/20/ [login to see] /uaw-strike-gm-job-cuts-layoffs-kansas
General Motors has temporarily laid off most of the approximately 2,000 unionized workers at its Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas as a result of the ongoing UAW strikes.
The move, which GM had warned was coming last week, is the largest ripple effect so far from the United Auto Workers' historic strike against all three Detroit automakers as the union demands a new contract that offers substantially better wages and benefits.
But automakers have warned a strike threatens to make them uncompetitive against rivals, especially as the companies spend billions of dollars to transition to electric vehicles.
General Motors has temporarily laid off most of the approximately 2,000 unionized workers at its Fairfax assembly plant in Kansas as a result of the ongoing UAW strikes.
The move, which GM had warned was coming last week, is the largest ripple effect so far from the United Auto Workers' historic strike against all three Detroit automakers as the union demands a new contract that offers substantially better wages and benefits.
But automakers have warned a strike threatens to make them uncompetitive against rivals, especially as the companies spend billions of dollars to transition to electric vehicles.
UAW strike latest: GM sends 2,000 workers home in Kansas
Posted from npr.org
Kansas City
Cars
Jobs
Employment
Posted 9 mo ago
Responses: 2
1
1
0
PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
..."Smaller ripple effects than expected
The strike's impact on the auto industry is currently smaller than had been anticipated, due to a novel strategy by the union.
Although the UAW is striking against the Big Three automakers at the same time, it is doing so at targeted plants instead of having all of its nearly 150,000 auto workers walk off their jobs at once.
UAW workers strike outside the GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., on Sept. 15. The plant was one of the first to go on strike under the UAW's novel plan.
UAW workers strike outside the GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., on Sept. 15. The plant was one of the first to go on strike under the UAW's novel plan.
The UAW started its strikes last week at three assembly plants in the Midwest: a GM plant in Missouri, a Ford plant in Michigan, and a Stellantis plant in Ohio. Around 12,700 workers are out on strike at those plants.
The targeted locations were also a surprise.
The auto makers had prepared for strikes at engine plants, transmission plants and other parts suppliers. Because a single engine plant can feed into many assembly plants, this kind of "bottleneck" strike could shut essentially the entire automotive supply chain with just a few plants officially striking.
But targeting assembly plants instead means the knock-on consequences from these shutdowns are much smaller than the company-wide disruptions that engine plant strikes were expected to cause.
Still, the pressure on companies could ramp up. The UAW is now threatening to expand the strikes to additional facilities unless automakers make significant concessions by Friday."...
..."Smaller ripple effects than expected
The strike's impact on the auto industry is currently smaller than had been anticipated, due to a novel strategy by the union.
Although the UAW is striking against the Big Three automakers at the same time, it is doing so at targeted plants instead of having all of its nearly 150,000 auto workers walk off their jobs at once.
UAW workers strike outside the GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., on Sept. 15. The plant was one of the first to go on strike under the UAW's novel plan.
UAW workers strike outside the GM assembly plant in Wentzville, Mo., on Sept. 15. The plant was one of the first to go on strike under the UAW's novel plan.
The UAW started its strikes last week at three assembly plants in the Midwest: a GM plant in Missouri, a Ford plant in Michigan, and a Stellantis plant in Ohio. Around 12,700 workers are out on strike at those plants.
The targeted locations were also a surprise.
The auto makers had prepared for strikes at engine plants, transmission plants and other parts suppliers. Because a single engine plant can feed into many assembly plants, this kind of "bottleneck" strike could shut essentially the entire automotive supply chain with just a few plants officially striking.
But targeting assembly plants instead means the knock-on consequences from these shutdowns are much smaller than the company-wide disruptions that engine plant strikes were expected to cause.
Still, the pressure on companies could ramp up. The UAW is now threatening to expand the strikes to additional facilities unless automakers make significant concessions by Friday."...
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google