GM plant in Wentzville closed due to UAW strikes at Lear seat plant
Production has been suspended at General Motors Co.’s midsize truck plant in Wentzville, Missouri, as the automaker awaits the end of a labor dispute at the plant’s seat supplier, which is owned by Lear Corp.
Five hundred Lear workers, represented by United Auto Workers Local 282, are striking “for their fair share,” UAW Region 4 director Brandon Campbell said in a statement.
“The company had plenty of time to get things right, but instead spent half a billion dollars last year on stock buybacks and dividends,” Campbell said. “Now Wentzville Assembly is in trouble because Lear refused to negotiate a fair deal.”
GM spokesman Kevin Kelley confirmed Monday that the plant “was affected by parts shortages due to a labor dispute at one of our suppliers. We hope both sides can work quickly to resolve their issues so we can resume our regular production schedule to support our customers.”
Lear said in a statement that the union notified the company of its strike late Sunday.
“We have been negotiating in good faith with the UAW for some time to reach a new collective bargaining agreement for our seat assembly plant in Wentzville, Missouri,” the company said, adding that it “stands firmly behind our employees and the communities in which we operate. With over 100 years in the automotive industry, we are proud of our successful relationships with our employees and union partners. We remain committed to reaching an agreement that benefits all parties.”
At the Wentzville plant, approximately 4,600 employees produce the mid-size trucks Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon as well as the large vans Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana.
The Detroit Free Press reported on Wentzville’s closure on Monday.
@bykaleahall
How China’s “father of two bombs” emerged from the shadows shortly before his death
Warning labels are the next battle in the insane war over gas stove bans
PA mother loses third son to gun violence
About The Author
