The United Auto Workers (UAW) union has extended its strike against General Motors (GM) to encompass a vital engine plant located in Spring Hill, Tennessee.
This plant is known to supply engines and components to nine factories responsible for manufacturing some of GM’s most popular and profitable vehicles.
UAW President Shawn Fain initiated the walkout at the Spring Hill manufacturing complex due to GM’s reluctance to agree to contract terms already established in deals with Ford on Wednesday and Stellantis on Saturday.
Fain expressed disappointment with GM’s failure to reach a fair agreement, deeming it “unnecessary and irresponsible.”
In response, GM expressed disappointment at the strike in Spring Hill and reiterated its commitment to achieving an agreement as swiftly as possible.
Spring Hill Manufacturing, a facility dedicated to assembly and propulsion, ranks GM’s largest North American plant, employing nearly 4,000 workers.
This complex plays a crucial role in providing engines and other essential components to GM’s factories, including the Fort Wayne and Silao large pickup assembly plants, the Corvette assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, a compact SUV factory in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, a Cadillac SUV plant at Spring Hill, and a midsize car facility in Fairfax, Kansas.
Two other assembly plants relying on Spring Hill, a large SUV factory in Arlington, Texas, and a midsize pickup plant in Wentzville, Missouri, were already impacted by strikes.
If the Spring Hill strike persists, it could substantially escalate the financial strain on GM, which recently disclosed strike-related costs reaching $400 million per week.
Shortly before the Tennessee employees initiated their walkout, the UAW reported reaching a tentative labor agreement with Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler. Similar agreements were established with Ford Motor earlier in the week.
Previously, the UAW had struck GM assembly plants in Missouri and Michigan and halted operations at 18 parts distribution warehouses.
Source: worldnow.com