Steel Markets

UAW Members Strike at Nexteer Automotive

December 8, 2015

A strike is in effect for 3,200 UAW workers at Nexteer Automotive after 97 percent of the membership voted against a tentative agreement on Sunday. The union and Nexteer exchanged proposals on Monday but could not come to a compromise before the 11:59 p.m. deadline.

Nexteer expressed frustration over the decision to strike after negotiating a contract that would have provided $50 million in raises to employees.

“Representatives from Nexteer and UAW Local 699 worked extensively for months to reach a tentative agreement that balances rewarding the employees for their commitment to Nexteer and also protects the company’s ability to compete in an increasingly difficult and competitive marketplace,” said the company in a statement.

Nexteer Automotive, headquartered in Saginaw, Mich., is a producer of steering and driveline systems. General Motors, which would be impacted most by a strike at Nexteer, said it is monitoring the situation.

UAW Local 699 president Rick Burznysky told the Detroit Free Press that the negotiating team is examining why the proposal was rejected and is optimistic a new contract agreement can be reached. (Source: Detroit Free Press)