Workers strike at Three Rivers axle plant as contract expires

Union workers in St. Joseph County walked out of work Monday, as United Auto Workers issued a simple statement to leadership at American Axle: “No contract, no axles.”

The union said the critical GM supplier failed to offer a fair contract to workers at its Three Rivers Plant, with members of UAW Local 2093 striking at midnight to coincide with the expiration of their contract. 

Long-time workers making $29 an hour in 2008 saw their wages reduced to $14.50 an hour amid the financial crisis, the union said in a statement. Eighteen years later, those wages still haven’t recovered, with wages at the plant topping out at $22 an hour after a five-year progression, it said.

“We did it to save the company. We did more than save them, we made them billions of dollars. So tonight it’s about getting our fair share. We paid the price, now it’s time that we reap the benefits.” Josh Jagger, the bargaining chairman for UAW Local 2093, said during a livestream announcing the strike.

The UAW has also filed federal unfair labor practice charges against the company, accusing American Axle of illegally threatening and intimidating union members organizing ahead of the May 31 contract deadline.

The union alleges American Axle called local police to remove off-duty employees distributing UAW literature, buttons and stickers at the plant’s entrance and threatened workers with termination and trespassing charges.

American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc, which changed its name to Dauch Corporation at the beginning of the year, did not respond to an emailed request for comment.