Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[GM lost 285,000 units to American Axle strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/gm-lost-285-000-units-to-american-axle-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/gm-lost-285-000-units-to-american-axle-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/21/gm-lost-285-000-units-to-american-axle-strike/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

With closure to the American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings strike in sight, General Motors is pushing forward to resume production at the idled and slowed plants -- assuming UAW members approve a tentative contract later this week. As of Monday, the following plants were back in operation:

  • Bay City, Mich. (engines, transmissions, components)
  • Flint, Mich., North and South (engines, components)
  • Livonia, Mich. (engines, components)
  • Parma, Ohio (components)
  • Romulus, Mich. (engines)
  • Saginaw, Mich. (metal casting)
  • Silao, Mexico (engines)
  • St. Catharines, Ontario (engines, components)
  • Tonawanda, N.Y. (engines)
  • Willow Run, Mich. (transmissions)

Each week the strike has dragged out, GM has lost significant production (29,925 vehicles were lost in the week ending April 26 alone). If GM cannot boost additional manufacturing output, by the end of this week the total number of lost units could be as high as 285,503. Even if the American Axle strike is settled, the UAW is still striking at GM's Fairfax assembly plant over the role of seniority in job placement. That labor dispute alone is costing the company 4,627 units each week.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

GM lost 285,000 units to American Axle strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 May 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american axleamerican axle manufa...american axle strikeAmericanAxleAmericanAxleManufa...AmericanAxleStrikeGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsWed, 21 May 2008 19:02:00 EST<![CDATA[End of axle strike costs GM $218m]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/end-of-axle-strike-costs-gm-218m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/end-of-axle-strike-costs-gm-218m/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/19/end-of-axle-strike-costs-gm-218m/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The UAW strike at American Axle has ground on for three months, but an agreement with the union was reached on Friday. General Motors had pledged $200 million dollars to help get things rolling again after being forced to idle plants. The action has reportedly cost GM $800 million, so what's a few more on top of that to get plants back online? With that logic, the automaker's managed to shake loose another $18 million to pay for supplemental unemployment benefits, bringing its total commitment to $218 million in hopes of wrapping up the spat with its axle supplier.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

End of axle strike costs GM $218m originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 May 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american axleamerican axle and ma...american axle manufa...american axle strikeAmericanAxleAmericanAxleAndMa...AmericanAxleManufa...AmericanAxleStrikegeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgm strikeGmStrikeMon, 19 May 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[American Axle proposes cuts and buyouts to end 11-week strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/18/american-axle-proposes-cuts-and-buyouts-to-end-11-week-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/18/american-axle-proposes-cuts-and-buyouts-to-end-11-week-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/18/american-axle-proposes-cuts-and-buyouts-to-end-11-week-strike/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

When the UAW went on strike against American Axle & Manufacturing in late February, analysts expected a settlement within days. The supplier of axles, driveshafts, and other related components to General Motors and other automakers had a stockpile of inventory on hand, and few expected the strike to affect production. However, as talks failed to bring workers back, the situation quickly went downhill. By early March, nearly GM 20 GM truck plants were threatening to idle or shut down. By late March, GM's car plants were feeling the effects. Earlier this month, it was GM who offered up to $200 million to help bring the strike to an end -- the automaker has suffered production stops or cut backs at 30 plants in North America as of last week.

Today, American Axle made an offer to the union to bring the 11-week strike to an end. It includes buyouts to workers who have been on the job for more than 10 years, retirement packages to senior workers, and payouts to ease salary adjustments as American Axle makes pay cuts to keep their U.S. operations competitive. The latest agreement will be voted on by union members in New York and Michigan tomorrow. Let's hope they come to terms, as the strike has already cost GM an estimated $800 million.

[Source: Bloomberg]

American Axle proposes cuts and buyouts to end 11-week strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 18 May 2008 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american axleamerican axle and ma...american axle manufa...american axle strikeAmericanAxleAmericanAxleAndMa...AmericanAxleManufa...AmericanAxleStrikeGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMStoppageStrikeSun, 18 May 2008 17:16:00 EST<![CDATA[GM offers up to $200 million to end American Axle strike]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/gm-offers-up-to-200-million-to-end-american-axle-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/gm-offers-up-to-200-million-to-end-american-axle-strike/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/09/gm-offers-up-to-200-million-to-end-american-axle-strike/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

General Motors has been hit so hard by the ongoing American Axle strikes that it's stopped production of the GMC Yukon, Denali, Sierra heavy-duty regular and extended cab, its commercial-duty pickup and variants of Chevrolet trucks and Tahoes. All the while, the General is still negotiating with the UAW over local contracts at some of its most important plants. To ease some of its supply problems, General Motors has reportedly offered as much as $200 million to American Axle for the funding of employee buyouts, early retirements and for the support of wage buy downs. The offer, however, is conditional on a quick resolution between American Axle and the UAW.

Spokesman Dan Flores says that GM hopes "the offer will help bridge the gap between American Axle and the UAW and that they will be able to reach a mutually satisfactory agreement in the near future." Both the UAW and American Axle sound supportive of the investment; Bill Alford Jr., vice president and incoming president at UAW Local 235 says, "We're happy that General Motors is finally coming to the table and realizing that they have a stake in American Axle's future." For GM's sake and that of the striking workers, we hope the feuding companies find an amicable solution soon, though it seems unfortunate that GM, which is not exactly posting record profits itself, should need to cough up funding to make it happen.

[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

GM offers up to $200 million to end American Axle strike originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 May 2008 07:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It turns out that the three-day inventory of parts that was stockpiled by OEM supplier American Axle is not nearly enough to weather a strike by the United Auto Workers union. The strike began early Wednesday, and though it's only Friday, General Motors is preparing to shut down its second, third and fourth assembly plant on account of parts shortages from American Axle. GM shut down its Pontiac, MI truck plant yesterday, which will be followed by the Fort Wayne, Flint and Oshawa plants, which build the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra, at midnight tonight. That's a lot of truck plants off-line, but there's one more in Silao, Mexico that builds the Suburban, Tahoe, Yukon XL and Cadillac Escalade and ESV that will remain running for now.

Unlike the strikes levied by the UAW against GM and Chrysler during contract negotiation talks last year, the current strike against American Axle is no token bargaining tool that will end before the paint on the picket signs is dry. Despite that, it does give GM an opportunity to lower its inventory of unsold trucks and SUVs, so for the time being the giant automaker isn't panicking. The strike has the potential to wane on, however, considering that the UAW is deeply committed to fighting against a proposed cut that would trim American Axle's hourly labor costs from $70 to between $20 and $30. The supplier wants to recoup its $3 billion investment in its plants, but the workers are fighting to ensure that it's not at their expense.

[Source: Automotive News, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

American Axle strike causes GM to idle four truck plants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a move that may threaten production at General Motors, the United Auto Workers union went on strike against American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. earlier today. The UAW work stoppage, the third called by the union within the past six months, centered around wages, benefits, and concerns that the company may be moving production to Mexico.

American Axle is the sole axle supplier to GM for light trucks such as the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon. The company supplies axles, shafts, and related components to other automakers, as well. As the four-year contract with the UAW neared the end of its term and the strike loomed, American Axle did stockpile its inventory. It is unclear, however, just how much supply is on hand. It may not need to last long, as analysts expect a negotiated settlement to end the strike within several days. This is good news for everyone, especially the workers who are walking the picket lines outside in the freezing snow.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd, Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty]

UAW strikes again! Targets American Axle after talks end originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>American Axleamerican axle strikeAmericanAxleAmericanAxleStrikeChevrolet TahoeChevroletTahoeGMC YukonGmcYukonUALuaw strikeUawStrikeUnited Auto WorkersUnitedAutoWorkersTue, 26 Feb 2008 16:31:00 EST