American Axle workers continue strike

Submitted by pirate on Sun, 04/06/2008 - 19:41.

April 5, 2008

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB ) - - The men and women who walked off their jobs at American Axle say they'll strike as long as they have to.

Last night, members of the UAW rallied outside the Cheektowaga plant. They've been on the picket line for more than a month now, protesting a company they say is shedding good paying jobs, and shifting good work elsewhere.

"We're not only fighting for our jobs, we're fighting for every worker in America out there right now! That's why we do this! It's about every family in America! And I'm getting' tired.. I'm getting' tired of the people up there not coming to the negotiating table!"

American Axle recalled about 200 laid-off employees earlier this week.

Many of those recalled employees chose to honor the picket line and join the strike.

TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - They were laid off just days before their union co-workers went on strike at American Axle. Monday morning, those workers had the choice to come back to work, or join the strike.

At 7:30 Monday morning, dozens of workers who had been laid off before the strike, made their way through the picket line.

But instead of reporting to work as they had been told, the group joined their co-workers on strike.

American Axle laid off about 200 employees four days before the strike began February 26th. But instead of returning to work Monday, many chose to stand behind their co-workers who've been picketing in the rain, snow and cold for the past month.

Bennet Kell said, "They walked in then they all turned around and joined the work stoppage, strike so it was pretty nice."

The decision to join the strike means those workers are no longer eligible for unemployment since they rejected an offer to work.

Kevin Donovan (United Auto Workers, Region 9) said, "It's a tough strike, tough situation, an unfair labor practice, haven't gotten information to make proper decision."

The employees were laid off from the Delevan plant February 22nd. American Axle gave them the option to return to work at 7:30 Monday morning.

Kell said, "It actually made me feel really good; showed they support us and that they're with us."

Peter Casal said, "That's our livelihood. We all need to stick together and stick this out to the end."

But even he admits, sticking together for the last month hasn't been easy.

Casal said, "It's a little aggravating trying to make ends meet."

For now, union leaders are working to resolve local issues in each region first, before moving on to bigger issues such as wage cuts.

The workers say they will continue to strike as long as they have to.

In the meantime, American Axle now has the option of advertising job openings since those employees who were laid off, did not come to work Monday.

Story by Tricia Cruz, WIVB.

TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WIVB) - We're following an important decision for hundreds of striking American Axle workers Monday.

An estimated 200 American Axle employees who had been out on layoff are now being recalled, and ordered to report for work at 7:30 Monday morning.

But the recall is putting the workers in an awkward and potentially costly position.

The workers were laid off prior to the start of the strike, which began on February 26th. Because they were laid off, these workers have been receiving unemployment benefits.

Here's the tricky part, by going back to work Monday morning, they'd have to cross a picket line set up by their union colleagues.

Refusing to cross that line means they'd lose their eligibility for unemployment.

Because American Axle has recalled workers, they're able to advertise for replacements, which they did in Sunday's Buffalo News.

Donovan says union workers should not honor the recall notices. But it's unknown how many are willing to waive their unemployment eligibility.

And the union hasn't said yet how they'll take care of those who do.

Story by Tricia Cruz, WIVB.

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - - It looks like American Axle is trying to get people to cross a union picket line in order to put their plants back online.

Kevin Donovan with the UAW tells News 4, the company recalled 200 workers who were laid off from their Buffalo location prior to the strike.

They are being called back to the Kenmore Avenue plant.

Donovan says, that allows the company to advertise for replacement workers. Donovan says union workers shouldn't answer the recall notice.

The American Axle strike is entering its 6th week.