Indiana Commerce Secretary Mitch Roob said he was completely surprised by local General Motors workers’ refusal to vote on
a proposed contract by JD Norman Industries, a decision that appears to set up the plant for certain closure.
UAW Local 23 bargaining chairman Gregory Clark says members won’t vote on the proposed contract, which would cut base wages from $29 per hour to $15.50.
Fliers circulating at General Motors' Indianapolis plant show that union members will be offered cash payments of $25,000
to $35,000 and an opportunity to keep a foot in the door with GM, if they agree to work for JD Norman Industries.
The UAW in Detroit said Local 23 will vote Monday on Illinois-based JD Norman's proposal to buy an Indianapolis stamping
plant where more than 600 work, but a local rep says workers don't want to negotiate.
Negotiations for wage cuts meant to grease the sale of a General Motors stamping plant slated for closure will proceed over
public protest of 650 local union
workers.
There’s more time for Illinois-based JD Norman Industries to hammer out a deal to buy a General Motors stamping plant
in Indianapolis, potentially saving hundreds of local jobs.
United Auto Workers official Maurice "Mo" Davison is making one last attempt
to put a deal together for a Chicago-area firm to buy the General Motors stamping plant southwest of downtown Indianapolis,
which is slated to close in 2011.
The Big Three and the United Auto Workers do not appear to be serious about making the concessions and changes that are necessary
to make them a viable entity for the long haul.
