BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS

A wildcat strike by members of the United Auto Workers shut down a General Motors assembly plant in Lordstown, Ohio, April 15. All 1,800 workers on day shift walked off the job to protest the firing of the longtime chairman of the union's local bargaining committee, Al Alli.

The UAW national leadership did not authorize the strike and quickly urged workers to return on the job. Tony Zone, president of UAW Local 1112 in Lordstown, and Alli also called for an end to the walkout. The local represents about 5,500 production workers on three shifts.

Despite the instructions from union officials, about half the first-shift workers did not report to work April 16. The same day U.S. District Judge Patricia Gaughan issued a temporary restraining order demanding the strikers return to work.

The Tribune Chronicle of Warren, Ohio, reported that Alli was fired for improperly clocking out. Alli told the newspaper that he clocked out the same way he has for 20 years.

Negotiations are deadlocked between Lordstown GM management and the UAW local over use of outside sources for the manufacture of some car parts, hiring, and health and safety issues. Alli told the press last month he considered whether to authorize a five-day strike notice.

Jobs and outsourcing of car parts were also the main issues in the 18-day strike at two GM brake parts plants recently. That walkout was settled March 22.

In a telephone interview April 18, Pat Knoske of UAW Local 1112 said all workers had returned to work the day before.  
 
 
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