For Release: Tuesday, February 26, 2008

UAW members strike at American Axle and Manufacturing

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Vice President James Settles announced that members at American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM) began an unfair labor practices strike at 12:01 a.m. today following expiration of the previous contract.

Talks broke off Monday with major issues unresolved. The company is demanding wage reductions of up to $14 an hour as well as elimination of future retiree health care and defined benefit pensions for active workers.

“The UAW has a proven record of working with companies to improve their competitive position and secure jobs,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “But cooperation does not mean capitulation. Our members cannot be expected to make the extreme sacrifices American Axle is asking for with nothing in return.”

Despite demanding that workers accept substantial reductions in benefits, the company has failed to provide the union with the information it needs to evaluate the merits of its proposals. This unfair labor practice has forced workers to strike.

The union has made comprehensive proposals that would reduce AAM’s labor costs significantly and grant it operational flexibility. AAM, however, continues to move work to Mexico if the union does not agree to its demands.

“We’ve been negotiating in good faith for some time now,” said Settles, who directs the union’s American Axle and Manufacturing Department. “We want a settlement that works for everybody. But the company does not appear to be on the same page.”

The UAW represents approximately 3,600 members at AAM in Michigan and New York.