GM News: 3,400 GM Workers At Kansas Plant Prepare For Strike Vote

[William Maley]

William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

January 24, 2012

The UAW has scheduled a strike authorization vote for Thursday after workers at GM’s Fairfax, Kansas assembly plant voted last Friday to reject a proposed contract at the plant.

On Friday, 66% of production workers and 58% of skilled-trades workers voted against a contract.

"The UAW is working through issues with the company and is optimistic that we will be able to reach an agreement,” said UAW spokeswoman Michele Martin.

George Ruiz, president of UAW Local 31 said the strike authorization vote is part of the negotation proces. The vote helps gives the UAW more leverage during negoations.

Ruiz said the UAW and GM have taken a break, but expects negoations to resume after the vote is taken. Ruiz wouldn't go into details to what the issues are.

GM and the UAW negotiate separate contracts at each of its plants that cover issues like work rules and other items.

When asked for comment, GM Spokeswoman Kim Carpenter declined.

GM employs 3,400 workers at the Fairfax, Kansas plant which builds the Buick La Crosse and Chevrolet Malibu.

Source: Detroit Free Press

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[daves87rs]

Hmmm....

[G. David Felt]

Stupid stupid stupid, GM should just standardize the contract with UAW for all plants. On top of this, with the amount of ownership the UAW has in GM, they need to wake up to the fact that a profitable GM is good for the UAW and that the old days of crazy wages and benefits are over to be a competative force in the global economy.

UAW seems to have not grown up yet.