American Axle Proposal Includes Closing Three Plants

From a website:

THREE RIVERS, MI -- Union leaders in Three Rivers say they're worried about the future of their American Axle & Manufacturing plant.

Kevin Bushouse, a member of UAW Local 2093's executive board, told me during an interview Thursday that some workers are feeling defeated by the result of their 13-week strike, especially the no-strike clause that was a part of their plant-specific survival agreement.

"It takes away a lot of the leverage of the union," Bushouse said of the clause that's very rare in private-sector labor pacts. "We have no power when we can't withhold work."

Bushouse and other local labor leaders expect a large number of current workers to leave American Axle through one of the attrition options.

Those who stay, he said, will find a plant stuck making pickup truck parts that are in less demand, made by a less skilled and experienced work force.

Bushouse, who's coming up on 10 years with American Axle, said he will stay and have his wages reduced to about $14 an hour.

"It's a shame," he said. "When I first came in it was an outstanding place to work.... I hope it'll get back to the place it once was."

Just remember union boys, you have a no strike provision here. So don't think you have a right to take back what American Axle has worked so hard for. Too bad, so sad!(LOL)

is there a 14000 ton united hot forging press at the plant?