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http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080416/NEWS03/804160341
UPDATED 9:45 a.m. DELTA TOWNSHIP - Workers at Alliance Interiors have walked off their jobs in Delta Township, though union and company leaders say they are willing to continue contract negotiations.
The strike could lead to work stoppages at the General Motors Corp. Lansing Delta Township assembly plant and other area part suppliers if GM runs out of its supply of Alliance products.
The Alliance plant, with fewer than 100 workers, makes parts for the General Motors Corp. Lansing Delta Township plant, where the Buick Enclave, Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia are made. Alliance's human resource manager, Paul Perkins, said workers walked out around 9 p.m. Tuesday.
But he said the company still is ready to talk.
"We will continue to bargain in good faith," he said.
Dean Poggiali, President of UAW Local 724, which represents the striking workers, said negotiations had been going on for nearly a year.
"They've been trying to get a contract since last May and the company and the union haven't gotten to where they need to be," Poggiali, said.
Poggiali wouldn't comment on the issues that divide labor and management, but said that talks would be ongoing if the company wishes to meet.
"We will meet anytime, any place, 24/7," he said.
Alliance Interiors, a joint venture of Bingham Farms-based Detroit Technologies Inc. and Troy-based HP Pelzer Automotive Systems Inc., opened for business shortly before the GM plant went into operation in late 2006.
Members of other UAW locals in the Lansing area were picketing in solidarity with Alliance workers as the strike began, said Chris "Tiny" Sherwood, president of UAW Local 652, which represents workers at the GM Lansing Grand River assembly plant.
Sherwood said that the strike at Alliance will have a domino effect on the area's auto industry. A lack of parts made at Alliance will halt operations at the Delta Township assembly plant, he said.
GM officials could not be reached for comment.
If the Delta Townshp facility is idled by the strike, workers at other suppliers that send parts to the assembly plant also will be affected. Those companies include Ryder Logistics, Android Industries and Plastech, all located in Delta Township.
GM's Lansing Delta Township plant is also facing its own strike deadline. Workers there could walk out as early as 10 a.m. Thursday if progress isn't made toward a new local agreement. GM workers received a new national contract in October 2007, but management and labor at the assembly plant haven't yet agreed on a local contract that would cover issues such as safety and working conditions.
Comment:
From http://www.soldiersofsolidarity.com
I called the GM plant and heard that workers were pissed that management would try to cut these workers' pay so severely. They wanted to refuse to unload scab parts. I informed them that a truck had crossed the line escorted by police. Art Luna, an International Rep, told material handlers to unload the truck if they were given a direct order. (Who informed him that the truck was coming & workers were protesting scab parts?) From a subsequent phone conversation, I learned that GM plantunion reps had called the police to come to Alliance "for safety." (I have only one source at this point. Will follow up.) When the truck arrived at the GM plant workers gathered on the dock and yelled "We won't unload scab parts!" Management looked scared but followed Luna's directive. They had to repeat the direct orders several times before workers returned. There were no UAW reps available. They were 'supporting' the strike.
Gregg Shotwell |
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Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:40 am |
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