Talks with GM broken off, UAW officially on strike
by John Neff on Sep 24th 2007 at 11:24AM 
We had the TV on at 11:00AM EST expecting to see CNN, MSNBC and Fox News providing up to the minute coverage of the UAW's potential strike in the wake of failed contract negotiations with General Motors. Only CNN is covering the strike at this point, and it's 11:15 now. CNN, however, has been confused as to whether a strike is actually happening. They've been running live footage of vehicles streaming out of GM's Warren plant while passing picketers waving signs that read "UAW on Strike". Looks like a strike to us. The Detroit News, however, is not so confused, and is reporting that 73,000 workers at 59 plants were told yesterday that if they didn't hear otherwise by 11AM EST, they were to walk off the job. Word never came that an agreement had been reached, so GM's entire UAW workforce is walking off the job right now. The question remaining now is clear: how long can GM last?We'll bring you more updates throughout the day as these historical events that could radically alter the automotive industry unfold.
UPDATE 8: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters announced it will honor the UAW's picket lines and not cross them to deliver parts and cars to various plants.
UPDATE 7: Is it a token strike? Some analysts surmise that the UAW is holding a token strike to (ironically) obtain job security from GM, which the automaker, of course, can't guarantee anyway until this contract is finalized. That's a nasty Catch 22.
UPDATE 6: Canadian Auto Workers president Buzz Hargrove will respond to news of the strike at 1:30PM EST. We'll let you know what he says. Read about his pessimistic response here.
UPDATE 5: GM has released an official statement (read in entirety after jump) in which it says "We are disappointed in the UAW's decision to call a national strike." Understatement of the Year nominee, right there, folks.
UPDATE 4: Kickingtires.net reports that GM has 67 days of inventory left at its current rate of sales. Popular vehicles like the Buick Enclave, however, have only a 26-day supply left.
UPDATE 3: Today would be a good day to have forums, but since we don't have them (yet), check out the forums at the Detroit Free Press where six pages of heated discussion are already underway.
UPDATE 2: Watch GM's stock price throughout the day over at BloggingStocks (GM). As of 11:21AM EST, it is up 1.01 (+2.89%) to 35.95.
UPDATE: Automotive News has its report up now, reiterating that UAW president Ron Gettelfinger said he was "shocked and disappointed" by GM's hard line stance during negotiations.
Gallery: United Auto Workers strike GM
PRESS RELEASE:
GM Statement Regarding UAW Work Stoppage
We are disappointed in the UAW's decision to call a national strike.
The bargaining involves complex, difficult issues that affect the job security of our U.S. work force and the long-term viability of the company. We are fully committed to working with the UAW to develop solutions together to address the competitive challenges facing General Motors.
We will continue focusing our efforts on reaching an agreement as soon as possible.
Visit GM's Manufacturing and Labor Resource web site: www.gmmanufacturing.info
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
AutoWorker.info 11:30AM (9/24/2007)
Has anyone walked off the job to check AutoBlog yet?
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John 2:00PM (9/24/2007)
I support the UAW
brimg87 11:31AM (9/24/2007)
Unbelievable, have mercy on Michigan.
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MariosInferno 11:43AM (9/24/2007)
How much more can this state bear???
JS 11:45AM (9/24/2007)
I'm an Ohio State fan, but I wouldn't even wish this economic blow to Michigan... The UAW is not thinking this on through, too bad for the US auto industry.
Rene Curry 11:33AM (9/24/2007)
I checked the UAW web site but I was having trouble, "it was loading slow" :^)
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nissanfreak87 11:36AM (9/24/2007)
this is absolutely ridiculous, there is absolutely no reason for this except the Union just wants to show what they can do, and it might cost all of GM's workers their jobs, absolutely ridiculous
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MGBYG 11:49AM (9/24/2007)
You are kidding, right?
Unions have BUILT THIS COUNTRY!!
Buy into Republican falsehoods, ship YOUR job to China, let CORPORATE America run YOUR life...the rest of us just want American back from you Bushies.
No Union mentality=WalMart (beat the Patriotic drum while selling crap from China)
aliasfox 11:55AM (9/24/2007)
MGBYG:
Umbilical cords feed us in the womb, but do we carry them around with us after we've stopped needing them? Same way with industries and unions.
J M C 3 11:59AM (9/24/2007)
MGBYG ...socialist.
nissanfreak87 11:59AM (9/24/2007)
well, seeing as I have a very specific career, they won't be shipping my job off to China, and yes, I agree, Unions did help American industry get where it is today, but their day has come and gone, now they only suck money out of their workers paychecks for their own political and financial gain.
My mother is a HR exec, so believe me, I know all about Unions, I have friends who are pro-union and anti-union. So before you start judging me and calling me a "Bushie" ask yourself how much you know about me, I could be a democrat, I'm not, but I may have been.
Way to handle this issue and your temper like an adult buddy, you're a testament to your political party.
Go America and Go American Industry!!!
Tim 12:02PM (9/24/2007)
@MGBYG
I see where you are coming from...
but you see there is this new generation of kids coming out of college, with advanced degrees, some even with masters or phd level education...what the hell do you tell them when their buddy the plumber is making way more money than they are...
seems like the educated are making less money than the uneducated...
Ello 12:18PM (9/24/2007)
Tim, what education are you talking about? Is a person with a college diploma automatically smarter/more intelligent than one without? If a person doesn't have a college degree, does this person automatically has to make less money than one with a degree? If a person with a college degree is so highly intelligent and educated, how come they can't make more money than the so called plumber? Maybe college diplomas are overrated? Maybe skilled labor is in greater demand than a BA degree in marketing/or whatever?
Reality is that no one is forcing people to go to college. Skilled labor in US has always been in high demand and those people will always make good money. College degrees are for corporate America, labor-class is what built this country, corporate America (college educated ) is shipping those jobs outside of US and pay 3rd world country wages yet in US they charge American prices for made in China goods, and you call that fair?
Funny how before 1989, Communism for USA was like a black plague, yet these days it is perfectly fine to do business with China (who is a Communist state that doesn't respect any human rights nor copyright laws) and all the corporations know about it yet they still do it. I guess people at universities learn all the wrong things. And BTW I do have a college degree in computer science but I don't think I should make more money than a person without a degree, it's a free market economy, if someone is more talented than I am at a particular field and has no degree then I see no reason why this person shouldn't make more money than I do. Real talent, thats where it's at.
naggs 1:09PM (9/24/2007)
unions are the reason why socialism did NOT take over in the eary 20th century
at the time, many thought that class warfare was emmiment, it was the unions that gave the people an alternative to french revolution style revolt.
it is very fair to say that unions saved america
the situation today is much different, today we have an industry struggling to stay alive and we have its workers trying to keep up with rapidly growing cost of living.
this strike is stupid and counter productive but unavoidable.
georgejetson 1:53PM (9/24/2007)
MGBYG, protesting globalization is like protesting a hurricane. It's here, like it or not. Failing to deal with it is idiotic and possibly suicidal.
The real question here is this: Is Ron G just putting on a show, or does he really think he can have a fit of pique and turn the clock back to 1978?
Tim 11:37AM (9/24/2007)
GM at $25 dollars per share by weeks end. Ford under $7.
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cowbell 11:50AM (9/24/2007)
As of 11:30, GM stock was still up for the day.
naggs 1:16PM (9/24/2007)
gotta love the stock market...
Mr. Oak 11:36AM (9/24/2007)
Ford & Chrysler: Lock out all UAW workers. Put that organization out of business once and for all.
It is in your best interest to stand by GM. All turn up production in Brazil, Mexico and Canada.
GM you should have the Austrailian cars ready before this happened. Perfect time to launch the G8.
Bust that Goddamned union.
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MoonRover 12:31PM (9/24/2007)
If it wasn't for the unions in this country you would be making the same wages as the Mexicans, get a clue, clueless. Until you know what the heck you're talking about STFU.