DETROIT (AP) -- Thousands of United Auto Workers walked off the job at GM plants around the country Monday, in the first nationwide strike during auto contract negotiations since 1976.GM spokesman Dan Flores said the union launched a national strike after the late morning UAW strike deadline passed without agreement on a new contract, which would include a groundbreaking provision establishing a UAW-managed trust that will administer GM's retiree health care obligations.
Workers began picketing outside GM plants.
The UAW has 73,000 members who work for GM at 82 U.S. facilities, including assembly and parts plants and warehouses.
Deserves GM right, they have been bargaining since late July and GM refuses to give anything, all they want to do is take.
I have a feeling that Ford and Chrysler will follow soon.
Posted by Quality Weenie at September 24, 2007 11:55 AM | TrackBackNever living in the vicinity of a plant I don't know what this means first hand, but when people go on strike they don't get paid, right? That's bad. :/
Posted by: pam at September 24, 2007 01:58 PMThey get $200/week if they walk the picket line every day.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at September 24, 2007 02:03 PMWhat? I kept reading all the reports about "last minute negotiations." Surely they wouldn't need to strike!
Posted by: Ogre at September 24, 2007 02:06 PMThe papers have said they are close, when in reality they are very far apart.
And it's mostly over the retiree health care, GM is only willing to offer $0.60 on the dollar for the UAW to take over adminstration of the retiree health care. So right off the bat the health care would be underfunded.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at September 24, 2007 02:23 PMScrew the UAW, GM, Ford and Chrysler shouldn't even renew the contract just hire new people with out a union. Like Toyota and Honda have there's no reason why UAW members should be making what they make to do the little work that they do.
Posted by: Joe at September 24, 2007 05:42 PMYou know joe blow, you are a fucking asshole and unless you can show facts supporting your talking out your ass don't you dare come into my house and spew your shit all over the place.
By the way, Toyota line workers make the same wage as UAW line workers.
Posted by: Quality Weenie at September 24, 2007 07:31 PMAnd the reason Toyata workers make about the same rate is because of the UAW.
Remember, the foreign co's don't have legacy costs here that the big 3 do, and they're good about getting people fired before they retire.
Thanks for your thoughts and prayers, QW. :)
Posted by: jimmyb at September 25, 2007 07:50 AMWOW! I didn't know that, thanks!
Posted by: pam at September 25, 2007 11:01 AMHello Miss Weenie... (I feel so horrible for calling you that!)
Anyways... thanks for standing up for the U.A.W. My dad is a retired GM worker. and this all affects him too...
I'm adding you to my blogroll, if that's okay!
-Chuck
Posted by: Chuck at September 25, 2007 12:54 PM