4LT GS RoadsterSome unhappy hourly workers at General Motors Co.’s Orion Assembly Plant plan to demonstrate outside the United Auto Workers international headquarters next weekend against a two-tier wage deal they contend could impose lower starting wages on some veteran workers.
A bulletin is being circulated by union dissidents among members of Local 5960, asking workers to join them at noon Oct. 16 in front of the Solidarity House in Detroit.
The bulletin, circulated by UAW activist Wendy Thompson via e-mail, was obtained by The Detroit News on Friday.
Local 5960 member Juan Gonzales confirmed plans for a demonstration seeking repeal of the two-tier wage agreement, under which about 60 percent of the workers will be paid $28 an hour, while others with less experience could earn $14. The bulletin asks participants to bring picket signs and petitions.
The rally reflects divisions in the labor movement. UAW leaders want to save as many jobs as they can and insist they are protecting workers’ wages.
Some workers fear the UAW is creating a loophole that will eventually force lower pay on veteran workers and want to protect the higher-paying positions.
An Indianapolis UAW local earlier this month rejected a proposal for workers to take a pay cut in exchange for keeping open a GM stamping plant scheduled to close next year.
The UAW negotiated the Indianapolis deal with a proposed buyer who wanted to keep making parts for GM, but is now abandoning the idea.
Many workers rejected the Indy deal because they wanted to keep their right to transfer to another facility and keep their higher pay.
Last week, UAW leaders and GM unveiled an Orion agreement that both hailed because it means a low-price subcompact car can be built in America with unionized labor and make a profit — a first for a Detroit Big Three plant. It will build a new compact Buick and a replacement for the Chevrolet Aveo.
TDN: Auto Insider
A bulletin is being circulated by union dissidents among members of Local 5960, asking workers to join them at noon Oct. 16 in front of the Solidarity House in Detroit.
The bulletin, circulated by UAW activist Wendy Thompson via e-mail, was obtained by The Detroit News on Friday.
Local 5960 member Juan Gonzales confirmed plans for a demonstration seeking repeal of the two-tier wage agreement, under which about 60 percent of the workers will be paid $28 an hour, while others with less experience could earn $14. The bulletin asks participants to bring picket signs and petitions.
The rally reflects divisions in the labor movement. UAW leaders want to save as many jobs as they can and insist they are protecting workers’ wages.
Some workers fear the UAW is creating a loophole that will eventually force lower pay on veteran workers and want to protect the higher-paying positions.
An Indianapolis UAW local earlier this month rejected a proposal for workers to take a pay cut in exchange for keeping open a GM stamping plant scheduled to close next year.
The UAW negotiated the Indianapolis deal with a proposed buyer who wanted to keep making parts for GM, but is now abandoning the idea.
Many workers rejected the Indy deal because they wanted to keep their right to transfer to another facility and keep their higher pay.
Last week, UAW leaders and GM unveiled an Orion agreement that both hailed because it means a low-price subcompact car can be built in America with unionized labor and make a profit — a first for a Detroit Big Three plant. It will build a new compact Buick and a replacement for the Chevrolet Aveo.
TDN: Auto Insider
