THREE RIVERS, MI (WTVB) – A United Auto Workers strike at the Dauch Corporation—formerly known as American Axle, could severely impact the nationwide availability of pickup trucks within weeks, according to industry and economic experts.
Nearly 1,000 members of UAW Local 2093 walked off the job at the Three Rivers manufacturing plant on June 1, 2026, halting the production of critical drive axles and drivetrain components.
The facility serves as a primary Tier-1 supplier for General Motors (GM), providing parts essential to highly profitable models like the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. While GM currently holds roughly a two-week stockpile of axles, economic analysts warn that a prolonged work stoppage will cause ripples across the automotive supply chain, directly causing production cuts and tighter dealer inventories.
The labor dispute centers heavily on wage stagnation and unrecovered concessions dating back to the 2008 financial crisis. According to UAW President Shawn Fain, workers accepted severe pay cuts nearly two decades ago to keep the plant afloat, with maximum hourly wages dropping from $29 to $14.50.
Today, top wages have only recovered to $22 per hour, while the union is bargaining for a fair contract exceeding $30 per hour alongside better health benefits and sick leave.
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