The UAW’s strike at American Axle has slowed or idled at least 30 General Motors plants — including the automaker’s most profitable truck and SUV plants — but it looks as though the automaker’s offering of $218 million to fund American Axle’s buyout program might have been enough to end the three-month strike.
Earlier this month, the U.S.’ largest automaker pledged $200 million to the cause, but increased that figure to $218 million when negotiations stalled. “I know you heard $200 (million), but they came in with $18 million to fund (supplemental unemployment),” Adrian King, president of UAW Local 235, told Automotive News. “That came in at the last hour of UAW bargaining.”
The extra $18 million helped the UAW and American Axle to reach a tentative agreement, which should be voted on by Monday.
The UAW strike at American Axle has now lasted about 12 weeks and cost GM tens of thousands of sales. The strike has also forced GM to stop orders on certain full-size trucks and SUVs.
