Canadian auto workers laid off due to parts shortage amid UAW-GM strike

Workers on strike in Metro Detroit

DETROIT – The United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against General Motors is affecting workers across the river.

About 1,200 Canadian workers at the Oshawa Ontario Truck Plant are laid off due to a parts shortage.

Negotiations have been ongoing each day this week for a contract between UAW and GM. On Tuesday, GM announced it would move striking UAW workers to COBRA healthcare coverage.

Sources said there was some progress between the two sides in negotiations on Tuesday. Those negotiations resumed Wednesday and Thursday.

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Overall, union workers have shut down 33 manufacturing plants in nine states and 22 parts distribution warehouses. Negotiations between the two parties were underway again this week, but it's unclear when a new deal could be reached and when the strike will end.

The UAW said workers are striking to secure fair wages, affordable healthcare, their share of profits, job security and a defined path to permanent seniority for temp workers.

GM said it presented "a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways."

Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit will be following this developing story -- follow live updates on the strike here:

 

 

 


About the Authors:

Rod Meloni is an Emmy Award-winning Business Editor on Local 4 News and a Certified Financial Planner™ Professional.