Members of the United Auto Staff rally for higher wages as contract negotiations start with Dauch Corp. in Three Rivers, Michigan, March 29, 2026.
Jim West | Common Photos Group | Getty Photos
DETROIT — Almost 1,000 staff at a Michigan provider plant that makes components for Normal Motors pickup vehicles went on strike Monday after not reaching a brand new contract with the corporate.
The United Auto Staff union on Monday confirmed staff at an axle and elements plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, for Dauch Corp. — previously referred to as American Axle and Manufacturing — walked out of the manufacturing facility and onto picket traces at 12:01 a.m. ET Monday.
The union didn’t launch a full checklist of calls for, however stated in a press launch Sunday night time that staff are nonetheless making an attempt to regain wages misplaced through the Nice Recession.
“We’ll keep out on strike till this firm involves its senses,” UAW President Shawn Fain stated throughout a Sunday video announcement. “The complete drive of the UAW worldwide union can be standing with these staff. So, American Axle, time is up. No contract, no axles.”
The union stated longtime staff who had been making as a lot as $29 an hour noticed their wages slashed to $14.50 in 2008. Present wages high out at $22 an hour after a five-year development, the union stated.
A spokesman for Dauch in an emailed assertion referred to as the strike “disappointing.” He didn’t instantly reply to a query about bargaining particulars.
Three Rivers, Michigan USA, 29 March 2026, Members of the United Auto Staff rally for higher wages as contract negotiations start with American Axle (aka Dauch Corp.).
Jim West | Common Photos Group | Getty Photos
“The corporate believes that one of the best outcomes for everybody — our associates, the union, and the corporate — are reached on the bargaining desk. We stay dedicated to negotiating with the union in good religion and hope to promptly attain a good settlement,” the corporate assertion learn.
Jon Krause, a 32-year American Axle worker and member of the bargaining committee for UAW Native 2093, which represents the hanging staff, advised CNBC that along with wage will increase, the employees are also bargaining for enhancements in healthcare advantages, retirement and different work-related points.
“We simply need the corporate to step up and provides our members a livable wage, one thing that they’ve earned, one thing that they deserve,” Krause stated. “This native, when the corporate was sinking 18 years in the past, stored them above water, and it is time to return that favor.”
Krause stated the union believes that GM seems to have about two weeks’ price of axles in inventory.
A spokesman for GM stated the automaker “is intently monitoring the state of affairs” and “assessing any potential influence.” As of Monday, manufacturing at GM’s vegetation was working as traditional.
The impacted plant produces axles for GM’s Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon midsize pickup vehicles in addition to its heavy-duty Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups. Different manufacturing contains smaller elements for the Detroit automaker’s light-duty Silverado and Sierra pickups in addition to components of Stellantis’ Chrysler Pacifica minivan, a union spokesman confirmed.
In an announcement, a Stellantis spokesperson stated, “We’re monitoring the state of affairs intently, however count on no manufacturing influence at this level.”