With the UAW less than a week into its strike at American Axle (AA), International Business Times reports parts shortages are set to idle a fifth GM truck plant sometime this evening. The Moraine, Ohio plant which manufactures Chevy Trailblazers and GMC Envoys will not be closing its doors; management told workers to report to their normal shifts for training. Striking union leaders at AA's Three Rivers, Michigan plant reported over the weekend that they are "ready for serious bargaining at any time." GM is unlikely to lean on either AA or the UAW for a quick resolution, considering their huge overstocks on nearly all of the truck-based models made using American Axle parts. J.D. Power notes that Envoys sat on dealer lots for an average of 59 days before sale in the December-February period, while Trailblazers languished an embarrassing 75 days. Without real leverage, the onus is on the United Auto Workers to explain to its 3,600 striking AA employees why it's worth disrupting production at plants which collectively employ over 12k union brothers and sisters.
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59 days and 75 days? Damn, comparatively, that’s a hot seller for GM!!
I live around Dayton, where they build this thing, and we have the highest per capita trailblazer population in the country. It’s freaky when I travel… 100 miles in any direction but Michigan, and every 5th car isn’t a Trailblazer. I hate anecdotal evidence, but I literally know over a dozen people who have a TB/Envoy/Ranier/even the Saab version, and with exception of the Saab person, they all hate them (although many are repeat buyers because of the GM discount).
Tell me: Would you buy a car built by disgruntled workers with parts built by disgruntled workers?
My sister bought an Envoy and you can add her to the list of people that hate it.
I always thought is was sort of ok (not that I’d ever buy one), but then again, I don’t drive one every day.
The folks I know (6 families) who drive TB’s & Envoy’s like them, or at least haven’t said anything negative about them.
We leased a stripped down TB 3 yrs ago and it was pretty basic transportation, but it hauled our boat and kids with ease and without complaint.
I wouldn’t mind having a new TB SS…just wish they’d fix the interior.
The article mentions the Oshawa plant. Isn’t that were Mikey works? Any updates from an inside guy?
“the onus is on the United Auto Workers to explain to its 3,600 striking AA employees why it’s worth disrupting production at plants which collectively employ over 12k union brothers and sisters”
The UAW is not a monolithic singular entity. It is comprised of separete local unions. The workers on strike are on strike because the wage proposals would cut their wages. I hardly think the local UAW has to justify their actions to the strikers.
The affected GM plants UAW workers belong to a diiferent local union. The UAW cannot make the locals on strike to simply take the offer simply because other UAW unions are affected.
First Compass/Caliber production is halted, and now the Trailblazer/Envoy?
These strikers really know how to hit the consumer where it counts!
On the other hand, doesn’t the American Consumer owe these guys a fruit basket or something to say thanks?
I have a TB and find it’s a nice vehicle considering the alternatives. The main gripe is noise, especially wind noise when encountering side winds. But I drove an Odyssey a few weeks ago and the road noise was much worse than in my TB. I opted for the 5.3 engine so the power train should be good for 200k anyway.
I think the van plant in Wentzville will shut down soon due to the axle situation.
Anyone happen to know the skinny on whether the laid off GM UAW workers will be paid in full for their little vacation pending the outcome of the American Axle Strike?
I was under the impression that the recent GM UAW agreement meant that workers would not receive full pay for lay-offs anymore. If this is true, GM could probably use one of these prolonged supplier strikes at least once a year. Hopefully American Axle also supplies parts for the Cobalt, DTS, Lucerne, LaCrosse, G6, etc.
mel23 ….
I have the Buick version (Rainier), and the double laminated glass in this version really makes a difference in the noise level. All my friends with Envoys and TBs remark about how quite it is.
Yes, hate to admit it, but I really do like this SUV, and it hauls my classic car around the country with ease. Have the 5.3L also … no power problems and the driveline has been bulletproof so far.
So, let me get this straight: These workers don’t want wage cuts, so they’re striking. While striking they’re probably getting strike pay, which I bet is a hell of a lot less than they’d be getting if they accepted the reduced wage. So, they sacrifice, what, hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, to avoid being paid maybe a couple grand less a year?
Anyone know if UAW strike pay is enough to live on? I know the United Food and Commercial Workers union strike pay isn’t – $100 a week. I get paid $300 a week to work, and that’s just enough. There’s no way in hell I’d even consider going on strike.
Hopefully for the sake of the workers they’re getting paid enough by the union to afford to strike. Otherwise, well, the union can’t really stage a strike if the workers are all at work because they need the money.
SherbornSean :
March 3rd, 2008 at 1:36 pm
First Compass/Caliber production is halted, and now the Trailblazer/Envoy?
These strikers really know how to hit the consumer where it counts!
On the other hand, doesn’t the American Consumer owe these guys a fruit basket or something to say thanks?
American consumers? Nah. Avis, Hertz, and Enterprise? Those’d better be large fruit baskets.