The American Axle plant worker strike may soon be over whether the workers like it or not, as GM no longer relies on the supplier’s five U.S. plants, reports say. Between a supply of axles from other manufacturers, a doubling in production at American Axle’s Mexican plant, along with GM’s full-size SUV and truck production cutbacks, the automaker reportedly has all the axles it needs.
The UAW now has less leverage in the negotiations for its 3,650 workers, as the situation means workers will most likely have the option of either accepting the American Axle-proposed wage and benefit cuts or possibly lose their jobs.
By Friday, the nine week long strike will have put a dent in GM’s vehicle production to the tune of over 200,000 vehicles, with GM claiming it lost $800 million as a result, says an Automotive News report. It is estimated GM’s production cuts will total 138,000 vehicles.
