On Feb. 26, 3,650 auto workers at American Axle and Manufacturing went on strike after contract talks broke down. The United Auto Workers union represents the workers, who walked off the job at four operating plants in Detroit, Michigan.
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The corporate demands are a slap in the face to the workers. American Axle says it must cut wages and benefits from its veteran workers to stay “competitive,” but the only goal of capitalist competition is to figure out which corporation will squeeze the most profits out of their workers. American Axle CEO Richard Dauch made at least $60 million over the last five years. Dauch earned $10.2 million in 2007—an $850,000 raise over 2006.
The strike has forced General Motors to stop or cut production at 29 plants. Several parts makers, particularly those that supply GM’s large pickups and SUVs, have been forced to do the same. GM is making plans to halt the second shift at its Janesville, Wis., plant and lay off about 1,000 workers.
A total of 37,000 GM workers have already been laid off.
The strike is having a wide-reaching impact. Landaal Packaging Systems of Burton, Mich., plans to lay off about 60 workers at the beginning of April. A New York parts supplier is laying off 300 workers because of the strike.
Workers resist picket line attacks
On March 14, three workers were arrested in a blatant attempt at intimidation.
A truck driver had begun to force his way through a gate that was blocked by a moving picket line of strikers. When the strikers responded angrily, the driver began to taunt and verbally threaten three of the strikers.
The police—acting on behalf of big business as always—arrested the three strikers for “disorderly conduct.”
“We’ve got to stand up, shoulder to shoulder, and fight it out,” said George Collar. “What they do to one is what they’ll do with the rest.”
Collar, who works at Chrysler LLC’s Assembly Plant in Sterling Heights, Mich., walked the picket line last week representing UAW Local 1700.
Instead of paying the workers what they deserve, and providing health care and pensions, Dauch and all the other bosses continue to plunder the wealth created by workers.
In their stand against corporate profiteering, American Axle workers are holding the line for workers all over whose labor enriches the parasitical capitalist class. With additional layoffs and wage cuts on the horizon, all workers must stand with their sisters and brothers at American Axle as they continue their fight.
