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Vol. 72/No. 17      April 28, 2008

 
Detroit auto workers solid
in strike over wage cuts
 
BY BETSY FARLEY  
DETROIT—Workers at American Axle & Manufacturing continue to walk the picket line in a strike that began February 26 against company plans to cut wages in half, from around $27 to $14.50 per hour. The strike involves 3,650 workers at four plants in Michigan and New York State who are members of the United Auto Workers union (UAW).

American Axle supplies parts to General Motors facilities across the country. GM has reduced or halted production at 30 of its plants so far because of the strike, laying off nearly 40,000 workers.

General Motors reported an 18.7 percent decrease in sales of light vehicles in March. Coming at a time when auto sales overall are slow due to the economic crisis, workers on the picket line at the Detroit plant said they know it will take some time before their strike impacts the auto maker. “If it takes 100 days we’ll be out here for 101,” said Dave Johnson, a machine repairman with 14 years in the plant.

Juanita Jennings, a brake assembler with eight years, explained the company also wants to replace pensions for retirees with a 401K plan. “But pensions should not be optional,” she said. “Working-class people in Detroit are supporting us,” Jennings continued, pointing to the number of cars passing the picket line honking and waving. “From bus drivers, to nurses, to factory workers, they all know if we go down, they’ll be next.”  
 
 
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