UAW, American Axle chiefs meet, to resume talks today / Your Severe Weather Station, South Bend, Indiana News, Weather, Sports, Notre Dame News, StormTeam 16

United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger and American Axle chief Richard Dauch met Monday in an effort to end a nearly 6-week-old strike at the auto parts maker. American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers says the meeting was productive and says the two leaders will meet again tomorrow.

She says the full bargaining teams will return to the table on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, GM confirms that it will restart pickup truck plants in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Oshawa, Ontario. Both have been closed since late February because of the strike. Spokesman Dan Flores says the Fort Wayne plant will go to one shift this week, then to the normal two shifts for the next four weeks.

Workers at five American Axle plants in Michigan and New York have been off the job since February 26th.

GM spun off American Axle in 1994 and accounts for nearly 80 percent of the company's business.

Nearly 400 workers at AM General were temporarily laid off because of the strike. The entire H2 plant was shutdown as a result.

About 3,600 UAW workers at five American Axle plants in Michigan and New York are on strike in a dispute mainly over wages.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: eric Location: south bend on Apr 11, 2008 at 07:43 AM
I have to weigh in here because I'm a uaw member. I can uderstand the fact that american companies want to lower opperating cost to be more competitive with other countries and that we all have to face these hard times together, but my point is this If a company truely wants to be more compitive in the global market I would expect the managers and ceo's take the same pay reduction as the hourly employees. Not to mention give up their multi million dollar yearly bonus and insted invest that money back in the company to make it even more competitive.So far this has been a one sided affair for the american worker why not spread the joy!

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Apr 10, 2008 at 12:41 PM
connedbyselmer..you need to wake up. Businesses are in the business of making a profit. That is why the exist. A CEO has a thousand times more difficult job then a button pusher on a line. You leave your job at work, they do not. Do they get paid too much..perhaps. America no longer needs the union. There are plenty of people in the US and Mexico willing to do it just as good and cheaper. Take what you get or be prepared to find another job.

Posted by: Mike Location: Michigan on Apr 10, 2008 at 11:18 AM
AA workers- At $24/hr wages you have already lost $6000 you will never get back. You could have been working while letting your union negotiate. Instead, I'll bet AA is working out a plan to move. I sincerely feel bad for you; having been asked to take a $10/hr cut and a massive cut in benefits is going to create a hardship until you learn how to live on less. Tell your union reps to meet the company half way so you can get back to work and save your jobs. It will be hard, but we are all living in hard times.

Posted by: connedbyselmer Location: ELKHART on Apr 9, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Send corporate America a message.Stop raping american workers to support corporate greed.The begging dogs that want your low paying jobs are welcome to them, they won't be able to afford your products.Us workers who stood up to your evil ways will not buy them,as we have moved on and been provided for by our creator GOD. So you morally bankrupt CEO'S like American axel Richard Dauch, and our own little Steinway (conn- selmer) CEO Dana Messina, close the doors of your manufacturing facilities here in the US and take your slave wages to a 3rd world country and stop your threats.We don't need people like you or your tactics. connedbyselmer

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 9, 2008 at 12:05 PM
Ummm..Todd..someone asked in an earlier comment what has American Axle workers ever done for anyone else..paraphrasing, of course and that's what my comment was about. And another thing...I think I can say without question that most American Axle employees are not trying to "screw" thousands of people to quote someone earlier. I know I feel for anyone who is exepriencing a strain right now and the intent is not to hurt those hardworking families. However, the company was not negotiating in good faith and the strike was called. I am saddeded by the negative impact and I hope the issues will be resolved soon for everyone involved.

Posted by: L on Apr 9, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Nick, I completely agree

Posted by: Laurie Location: Niles on Apr 9, 2008 at 10:07 AM
The real world around Michiana is that we are in a depression, not a recession. No longer can we expect such benefits and wages from our employers. It is selfish to all the other workers that are affected by the strike to continue on with the strike. Especially in our area, the strike is causing an already bad economy to become worse. Hire replacement workers if AA workers can't deal with the realities of today's world. There are plenty of hard-working people willing to take their jobs. --Living in the real world, i.e. I paid $11k of medical last year after insurance...

Posted by: Nick Location: Niles on Apr 9, 2008 at 09:09 AM
I keep seeing the same arguments for and against the Unions. Nobody is ever going to see the others sides points even if they are valid. Yes unions helped get labor laws established, but they have out lived there usefulness. Yes CEO's make a lot of money, but they went to college and got a degree and worked hard to get where they are. Yes a company should should treat there employees fairly, but paying them so much they can't stay competitive won't keep anybody in a job. You should get paid what you are worth, but $65 an hour TOTAL compensation is a little much for factory work. This is why they are still on strike, neither side will even think about listening to the other. The main point is if you don't like where you work, find a new job instead of screwing 38,000 some odd people.

Posted by: L on Apr 9, 2008 at 08:19 AM
Todd, Tammy is right, the unions are what created the Occupational Safety and Heath Administration and IOSHA. They are also responsible for the 40 hour work week. But that was then and this is now and like I said in a prior post, if unions go away, believe me, OSHA and IOSHA will not, nor will the 40 hour workweek.

Posted by: L on Apr 9, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Tammy, where did I say that $30,000 a year is great? I think if you reread it, my statement was "it isnt all that bad". And it isnt, most familys of 4 NEED 2 incomes to survive, thats just the way it is. Even if the other parent worked part time and made $10,000 a year, that would put them well above poverty level. You have obviously lived on these union wages, I know families of 3 that make $30,000 a year, they make smart spending decisions and they can afford a nice car (not new)and a home. I said it was unfortunate to take a pay cut of the sort but millions live off of this income comfortably, especially when they're healthcare is included.

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 9, 2008 at 08:11 AM
Todd...apparently you know more about American Axle than even it's employees!! Why is it you assume because I belong to a Union that I don't work hard?? I don't assume that you DON'T work hard because you DON'T belong to a Union. Here's a newsflash! Even hard working people face lay offs and lose jobs! It happens everyday. When I was given the opportunity to hire IN, back in '94, you weren't given the option NOT to join the Union. I do not always agree with them, BUT I am glad I have one.

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 9, 2008 at 07:52 AM
It's just amazing how many people on here can bash the Union and then turn around and want may job!! Folks...then you have to join the Union..the same one you've been complaining about!

Posted by: Tammy Location: South Bend on Apr 9, 2008 at 06:43 AM
Todd, Todd, Todd, if you think for 1 minute that those labor laws just miraculously appeared out of nowhere then you are as delusional as the rest of these union haters. These laws were put into place because the labor unions stood up for what they believed in. They fought hard and even died so that you could have the benefits that you now take for granted.Do yourself a favor and read a book about the labor movement in America. I think it might open your eyes.

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Apr 9, 2008 at 06:26 AM
Marla, you are wrong. Your total benefit package is what you make an hour. Not just your cash salary. Plenty of people on here have given facts, but the union workers have just responded back by saying how superior unions are and falsely how much they help the world. The union is in dire straights and needs to look at itself. They are no longer the big bully on the block. Unions have nothing to do with minimum wage, how much non union workers are paid, the 40 hour work week, and ect. All workers have protection called labor laws and you do not need to pay somebody else to protect those. I make a great living at a job I love. Never been unemployed one day in my life or laid off. I work hard, and do a good job. My employer rewards me for that. I do not have to worry about somebody who does not work as hard but has been there longer then me taking my job or shift like you do. It's the best man or woman for the job and the hardest working make the most money. like it should be

Posted by: wayne on Apr 9, 2008 at 02:48 AM
Some of you people don't have a clue to what is going on. Everything here in the US is going up but the wages, but the CEOs are making millions of dollars in bonus. The hourly people are the ones who make the parts and does the dirty work. Look what the company Conn-Selmers did to their worker. Uneducated and unskilled is not correct. I work with some pretty dumb college grads who don't have a clue how to do their jobs.

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 8, 2008 at 10:37 PM
Since why is it bad to belong to a Union? I am glad that it's not just my lone voice trying to fight for what's decent and right. I want to keep my job, without question, but how's it right to ask everyone to cut their wages in half and eliminate benefits while those in charge continue to make huge financial gains while my family sacrifices? Why would anyone want to hire into AA knowing that just because they are paying you $14.00 doesn't mean someone else can and will do it for $7.00? People..Wake up!! This affects you too. The people who work at those plants pay taxes, have mortgages, do business in your communities and if they take a HALF wage pay cut the ramifications will affect you too. Does that mean that there will be less business and therefore jobs will be eliminated? Maybe...Does that mean that mortgages will fall into foreclosure because people will no longer be able to pay them and drive down the housing markets more? Possibly!! Know that this affects you also.

Posted by: JOLYNA Location: MICHIGAN on Apr 8, 2008 at 09:32 PM
It is no secret that AAM and the UAW are at odds with the new contract. It is no secret that the rumors, of the proposed contracts, are going to hurt thousands of families. And, it is no secret that we, as AAM families, simply can’t stand for it. AAM states the Detroit facilities are losing money. Consequently, it is our fault and we need to take a pay cut to adjust their profits accordingly. Well, I wonder if Mr. Dauch knows how his plant is mismanaged and that he is misinformed by his management. There are quite a few costly issues with the Forge. Issues that have been discussed with management numerous times. Issues that could save AAM considerable amounts of money. He needs to come down to the floor and speak with the men and women that work hard for him and honestly know the” ins and outs” of their machines and departments. He would hear honest opinions and thorough suggestions that would better productivity. It would change his idea of what his workers really do and in time wi With all this said; I have to say I know you have a negative opinion of the hourly worker. You feel that we are all replaceable and dispensable. I can assure you I am not. I am that worker who gives 110%. I go over and beyond. My Supervisors never have to tell me what to do because it is already done. I am never someone who says “that isn’t my job”. I can run and problem solve an Upsetter better than most people on the floor and any Manager that has come through this plant in my 14 yrs. I gave you 14 years of dedicated service and I deserve the respect as such. In Solidarity

Posted by: Sarah Location: Michigan on Apr 8, 2008 at 08:34 PM
Marla, my father also works there and is a harder and far more dedicated worker than anyone I know! Well spoken! Sending hugs to the strikers, not just my father, but all of you!

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Apr 8, 2008 at 07:59 PM
Marla..my company is non union and gives to relay for life, hannah's house, habitat for humanity, nappanee tornado's, united way, toys for tots, American cancer society, hope rescue mission, michiana food bank, and ect...what's your point?

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 8, 2008 at 06:54 PM
Can Em has no idea what you are even talking about!! American Axle employees do not make $65.00 an hour AND the negotiations American Axle brought to the table wasn't even at $20.00..you need to get your facts right. Yes..American Automobiles are expensive and don't think for a minute that by saving on labor the price is going to come down!! American Axle employees are very generous to their community, in fact the United Way is just one way, employees give back every year through fundraising efforts, also, the Relay for Life and numerous individual causes including cancer fundraisers, and scholarships. How can you stand there and say the things you do when you have no facts to back it up!! Also, why is it you assume those that are employed there are uneducated? I know of several, including myself who have college degrees. The next time you feel the need to put others down, in order to make yourself feel better, try watching American Idol..

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on Apr 8, 2008 at 05:06 PM
Business are in the business of making money. Never forget that. Otherwise it is pointless. Don't blame a company for making a profit..that is their goal. Find another job if you don't like what you are getting paid. Unions did not set the 40 hour work week or vacations. Labor laws set all of that and it is universal. No union needed. I guess the union doesn't want you guys to know there are labor laws in place to protect you. You do not need a Union. All businesses are hurting on health care. As hard as it is to swallow..it's not the responsibility of the company to pay cost for workers who can no longer perform their job because of health. That is why they pay workman's comp and half of your social security tax for you. We are responsible for ourselves, our employer's are not responsible for us other then paying us for good work and providing a safe place. Where we work is our choice in the US. Don't like it, find another job. Others would love to have yours.

Posted by: Joe Location: Detroit on Apr 8, 2008 at 04:45 PM
I dont think the majority of you people have it right. We are not greedy and we dont make $65/hr. We havent asked for anything more, only to keep what we have. You take a 50% pay cut and see how your life pans out. We also are not uneducated. The people hired into AAM had to take tests in order to get hired. Us GM people that stayed when the plant was sold to AAM did so understanding that the promise from Richard Dauch that nothing would change, wouldnt. We respected that and stayed with the company to help the company become what it is today. A tier one supplier. Also, the axle plants at Ford and Chrysler continue to make the wage they want to cut in half at our company. So wise up, and understand that if it was you, you would be doing the same thing.

Posted by: Marla Location: Michigan on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Lets not forget..there were no negotiations..it was take it or leave it. Not only were they cutting wages in half and cutting benefits, AA eliminated benefits to those who were too sick or injured to work before the strike. No one is saying concessions are not necessary, but let's not take people's dignity away in the process. Do you think they WANT to be on strike? Of course not. They have families, bills and responsibilities too. Put yourself in their position and imagine what you would do when the Union tells you to walk out the door and pick up a sign. This isn't about making $28.00 an hour, this is about treating workers with respect, those same workers who helped give American Axle board members, their million dollar paychecks.

Posted by: DB Location: Nappanee on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:50 PM
Fire them and get people in there who are willing to work! I don't blame companies for going overseas who have to deal with greedy unions and overpayed workers - the time and place for unions has came and went. Most of these people in the union are not highly skilled workers and think they deserve high paying jobs - get with the program people! If these people don't like the profit sharing program, then they are free to work somewhere else - no one owes them anything other than a safe working environment and a wage reflecting what's expected from them.

Posted by: Geezer Location: Ocee on Apr 8, 2008 at 03:20 PM
The Frigidaire workers pulled this same stunt a few years ago in Greenville MI. They were told that they needed to pay for "some" of their health insurance. Oh no, they weren't going to accept any cuts. They'd rather go on welfare, the UAW said. Now they're on welfare 'cause the plant closed. The same will happen here. Brilliant, just brilliant!

Posted by: Tammy Location: South Bend on Apr 8, 2008 at 02:41 PM
So L, you are saying that $30,000 per year is great? Let me again give you some facts. According to the 2007 Health and Human Service report a family of 4 is at poverty level with an income of $20,650, and for a family of 5 it is $24,130. So what you are saying is that people should be happy just making above poverty level income? Get real people! I agree with anonymous, If a company is hurting that bad it is up to them to show some kind of fiscal responsibility. They need to stop paying their exec's millions and think about the workers. They should not have to have their pay cut in half while corporate fat cats get richer. It just isn't right.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: ontario on Apr 8, 2008 at 12:46 PM
To Can Em': You should really think about what you say. If a company is making a profit and CEO's are making millions then this should be shared amongst the workers. Skilled or unskilled, union or no union. Don't ask only the workers to take a pay cut.

Posted by: L Location: Indiana on Apr 8, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Its unfortunate the pay cut that you will have to take, being that you're used to living your current lifestyle. However, with todays economy $14 isnt all that bad, thats nearly $30,000 a year and full benefits. Yes, unions did alot for us way back when but if they go away, all the things they brought about will not. If I owned these companies, i would fire everyone and re-hire as a non-union company. This is what will happen if this isnt resolved soon. Thousands of people are out of work as a result. I wont call them greedy, as this is all that most of them have known, nor will I call them uneducated, however, you have to realize that there are thousands more then willing to take your job.

Posted by: Bobbie Location: South Bend on Apr 8, 2008 at 12:13 PM
It is tough everywhere. If you have a good paying job....keep it. There are plenty of people out there who want to work especially with that pay. Money is a source of all evil. Be happy and stop relying on Unions. They are not as strong as they use to be.

Posted by: Stop being greedy Location: South Bend on Apr 8, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Greedy, greedy, greedy unions. Hire replacement workers, there are plenty of unemployed people willing to take those jobs and I'd like to see it. Because American Axel unions workers want to be greedy and go on strike they are causing workers in other companies to loose their money. I'm an educated individual working in a union environment and I see first hand how the union workers take advantage of management. Management needs to be given the power back. Unions aren't going to last much longer if they keep acting this way, just look at what happened to the UAW workers at Conn-Selmer. They are all out of a job expect the small amount of smart ones who decided to cross the picket line.

Posted by: Connie Location: Warsaw on Apr 8, 2008 at 11:22 AM
It seems to me a matter of situational acceptance. Just a couple of years ago if you had asked any employee at Dana@Syracuse to work for half wage or half hours, they would have protested as well. Many of those people are now working for $14-or less, simply because Dana was forced by economical elements to completely close. I'm sure they would rather have kept their jobs- with benefits&superiority intact. You may think that making a "mere" $14/hr is low, but that includes those marvelous benefits that you scorn all non-union workers over. When Axle gives in to the union and then folds from fiscal suffocation, you will find those magic benefits won't follow you into the $14/hr you will be lucky to find out here in the real world.

Posted by: Pat Location: Shenandoah on Apr 8, 2008 at 11:11 AM
The globalization of the American auto industry is the key to this strike. Delphi got the union to agree to deep cuts, now American Axle is doing the same. Right or wrong, the days of the big 3, and the UAW are numbered. Auto workers in Mexico earn around 10 U.S dollars a day, and have a free meal at the plant. Whether we like it or not, this is the future of the American economy. When college level jobs, like IT, and other high tech jobs can be outsourced to India(and other nations),where 7 thousand dollars a year is middle class wages for a college grad, the future looks like more of the same. I do not write this to defend anyone. I grew up in a union hous