General Motors Corp. will idle its first passenger-car assembly plant Monday because of a monthlong strike at supplier American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.
GM said it would idle the Detroit-Hamtramck plant that builds the Cadillac DTS and Buick Lucerne sedans, putting 1,700 more union workers on temporary layoff. The strike that began Feb. 26 has already idled seven assembly plants that make pickups and sport-utility vehicles and 22 parts operations, forcing nearly 36,000 workers off the job.
Members of the United Auto Workers union say a second passenger-car plant in Lordstown, Ohio, could be shut by the end of next week because of parts shortages from the strike, but GM spokesman Dan Flores said the company wouldn’t comment on the possibility.
The union struck American Axle as it resists efforts by the company to cut wages to $14 an hour from the current $28 and to reduce benefits. Negotiations have been held sporadically since the strike began.
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Page compiled from Tribune staff, wire reports
