It appears the nine week UAW strike at American Axle could be all for naught. The wind was taken out of the sails of the 3,650 worker strong strike earlier this week when General Motors announced that it would be drastically cutting its full-size SUV and truck production and now it looks as if three of the five striking factories will be closed.
According to Automotive News, the UAW is already negotiating the closure of two striking plants with American Axle, with the closure of a third a strong possibility. Local 2093 Chairman Dave Morris announced on Wednesday that the UAW had agreed to American Axle’s request to close its Detroit and Tonawanda, New York plants.
The company’s Three Rivers, Michigan plant could also be closed if the UAW doesn’t agree to the proposed concessions. Current pay levels at the plant average $28 an hour, a number American Axle is trying to get down in $14 to $18 range.
