A labor dispute at a key General Motors parts supplier has stretched into its second week as negotiations between management and workers remain stalled.
The work stoppage at Dauch Corp’s Michigan facility involves approximately 1,000 employees represented by United Auto Workers Local 2093. The plant, located in Three Rivers, Michigan, manufactures axles and other parts for GM’s full-size and midsize pickup trucks.
Josh Jager, who serves as bargaining chairman for Local 2093, expressed frustration with the company’s approach to negotiations during a Monday afternoon update.
“Unfortunately, we just walked away from the table. The company is trying to play games with words and not providing anything productive,” Jager stated, though he added that the union is preparing another proposal to present to management.
“We’re still making progress,” he said.
A company representative for Dauch, which was previously called American Axle, indicated that discussions are ongoing.
“We continue to have ongoing discussions with the union in hopes of promptly reaching a mutually beneficial and market-competitive contract,” the spokesman said, adding that the company remains “in close communication with our customers regarding the work stoppage.”
The wage dispute centers on compensation levels that have been a concern since 2008, when plant employees accepted reduced pay. According to Jager, the highest hourly wage has risen by $4 since then to reach $22 per hour. The union is seeking to increase top wages to $30 per hour by 2030.
While sources indicated last week that GM had approximately two weeks of axle inventory to maintain production, a GM representative said Monday that none of the automaker’s facilities have been impacted by the strike so far.
