UAW workers go on strike at Stellantis plant in Indiana

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

DETROIT (AP) — United Auto Workers union members went on strike Saturday at the Stellantis casting plant in Indiana, citing health and safety issues including the company’s alleged refusal to repair and replace the plant’s air conditioning and heating systems.

The 35-acre plant in Kokomo makes parts used in the power trains of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM vehicles and a long-term strike could affect vehicle assembly lines across North America.

Stellantis says production had not been scheduled for this weekend and it hoped to resume negotiations as soon as possible on a contract with striking UAW Local 1166.

In a statement, Stellantis said it was committed “to providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees. After bargaining in good faith for two days and presenting an offer we believed addressed the union’s concerns, we are disappointed by the UAW’s decision to walk out.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/indiana-north-america-strikes-kokomo-9eea5078e89d54faaed16b32d2f4652a

[yankee87]

1. Retired GM Engineer here

Even though I wasn’t an UAW worker, it was definitely needed. If it wasn’t for their health and safety representatives, we would have cut corners to save money. In fact, if we found something and couldn’t fix, an anonymous call would get things done.

[Novara]

2. I worked for a summer in a stamping plant for GM

I was new to the state and needed to work so I signed up at a temp agency, which put me in a plant that made clutch plates. There was no air conditioning. All of us - temps included - worked 10 hours a day, six days a week. Sometimes seven days a week. Sometimes 12 hour shifts. In sweltering conditions. I always wondered why the permanent employees didn't strike. Working there was brutal. This was in 2016, so not long ago at all. I don't think things have changed.

I worked there because at the time, I couldn't find a job in my field. I'm an environmental consultant. I was so damned glad when I finally found job in my field. That work was absolutely brutal.

[tiredtoo]

3. Retired GM worker

Almost 30 years when I retired. It was tough hard work in nasty environment. Stayed because I had 5 children and a wife to support and this was best paying job available to high school graduate at the time. It didn't get really bad until Reagan fired the PATCO workers. After that management grew to be more aggressive against the workers. It got to the point I could take no more so I retired.