THREE RIVERS, MI (WTVB) – Nearly 1,000 auto parts workers represented by UAW Local 2093 officially walked out on strike at 12:01 a.m. this morning, targeting the American Axle & Manufacturing facility located in Three Rivers,
The production halt at the facility, which operates under the parent name Dauch Corporation, followed a midnight contract expiration deadline after more than two months of stalled labor negotiations.
UAW President Shawn Fain announced the strike via a late-night Sunday livestream, declaring that pickets would remain active at 1 Manufacturing Way until corporate executives offer a fair contract that treats workers with dignity and respect.
UAW member Aleena Harding was one of the first on the picket line just after midnight
The core of the dispute stems from nearly two decades of wage stagnation following major concessions made by union members during the Great Recession. In 2008, employees agreed to a massive 50% pay cut—slashing top hourly rates from $29 down to $14.50—to rescue the critical General Motors supplier plant from permanent closure.
Despite Dauch Corporation generating $8.4 billion in profits over the past decade, current plant wages top out at just $22 an hour, prompting a 98% strike authorization vote earlier in May.
Tensions further escalated leading up to Monday’s walkout, as the union filed multiple federal Unfair Labor Practice charges accusing management of unlawful surveillance, intimidation, and calling the police on workers distributing union informational flyers.
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