UAW Members End Strike at American Axle Plant
THREE RIVERS, Mich. — United Auto Workers Local 2093 members have ratified a new agreement with American Axle, ending a two-week strike at the company’s Three Rivers plant.
Union members voted Sunday to approve the tentative agreement reached earlier in the week. Workers were expected to return to the plant at 6 a.m. Monday, according to union leaders.
The agreement includes an immediate $8-an-hour raise for workers hired before May 31, 2012. Local 2093 said the increase restores wages for legacy workers who took pay cuts during the 2008 recession.
American Axle also agreed to a wage scale that will reach $30 an hour by 2030. Union officials said that represents a more than 36% increase to the top rate over four years.
“Not only did they take care of the legacy people that were here and made the tough decisions back in 2008 to keep the place open, they took care of the people working there today,” said UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes. “They also took care of all the future generations that will come to work here in Three Rivers, Michigan, at American Axle.”
The contract also adds more paid time off. Union leaders said the agreement does not include concessions on current health care costs.
Workers at the Three Rivers plant went on strike after seeking higher wages and improved benefits. The strike lasted 10 days before the union and company reached a tentative agreement.
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