UAW workers strike at GM supplier Lear in Wentzville

About 460 United Auto Workers workers at the Lear seat assembly plant in Wentzville began a strike early Monday morning after the company and the union failed to reach an agreement in collective bargaining.

“Because we weren’t making progress on some of the big issues, members said they wanted to strike,” said Bill Hugeback, president of UAW Local 282.

Lear supplies seats for several auto brands, including those made at the nearby General Motors plant. Hugeback said the monotonous nature of the work at Lear’s plant has led to injuries among union members such as carpal tunnel syndrome and other injuries to the elbow, back or spine.

“Some of the big issues are health and safety and some production standards,” he said. “A lot of it has to do with injuries that happen to our people.”

Production worker Dennis Robinson has been at the plant for nearly two years and suffers from carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands and shoulder problems “due to excessive repetitive work.”

“It’s very exhausting,” he said. “The job is designed so that you have to work five days a week, but you work six days. It’s pretty exhausting.”

In addition to health and safety issues, Hugeback and other picket line workers cited better wages, health insurance coverage and retirement benefits as reasons for the strike. He noted that companies all along the auto supply chain are posting high profits.

“It’s pretty much all the same,” Hugeback said. “These companies have been making record profits for years, and now it’s time for American workers to stand up, organize and get what they deserve.”

Facility employee Michele Dove agrees.

“It would be different if they weren’t making such record profits, but they don’t want to share,” she said. “They have to share with us because everyone is working on our little backs.”

Sophie Proe

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St. Louis Public Radio

In a statement, Lear said the company had negotiated in good faith with the UAW on a new agreement for its Wentzville site and was “firm” in its support of its workers.

“We are proud of our successful relationships with our employees and union partners,” the statement continued. “We remain committed to reaching an agreement that benefits all parties.”

The strike at this single manufacturing plant comes after major UAW strikes at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis earlier this year that won workers at those plants significant pay increases.

Now UAW workers in other parts of the auto supply chain are demanding similar adjustments.

“We need a raise,” said factory worker Kieth Bevel. “Everyone in the UAW gets a raise and we need our money, we need our fair share.”

Bevel said he loves his job at Lear, but stressed that he and his coworkers need more pay. Workers at the plant currently make about $25 an hour, but some picketers said they would want more than $35 an hour in a new contract.

“We know that our work is definitely worth it,” he said. “You can’t drive a truck without seats.”

The nearby GM plant in Wentzville is currently affected by the parts shortage as a result of the strike at Lear, the company said in an email.

“We hope both sides will work quickly to resolve their issues so we can resume our regular production schedule and support our customers,” GM said.