Gm Strike Could Stall Auto Production Workers Walk Off Jobs At Plant That Makes Spark Plugs And Other Critical Parts

A strike that threatens to disrupt North American auto production broke out Wednesday at a General Motors Corp. plant that makes spark plugs, filters and other parts for dozens of assembly plants.

Negotiators worked all night but failed to smooth out disputes over staffing and overtime at the AC Delco East complex, maker of auto parts for all Big Three automakers.

Three hours of talks were later held between GM and the United Auto Workers officials representing the 6,800 workers on strike. The talks were to resume today.

Union officials said the issues were similar to those that caused two GM strikes last year, which disrupted the supply of parts and forced other factories to close.

They contend GM has violated their contract by refusing to hire up to 500 additional workers to reduce overtime. The union says the long work days and work weeks are creating health and safety hazards.

Strong demand for cars and trucks has many auto plants running at capacity.

“Most of these guys have been working a lot of overtime,” said Al Woodham, a GM auto worker for 31 years. “They’re tired.”

The UAW predicted that GM plants in Flint and Lansing would feel the impact within a day, and GM plants elsewhere could be forced to shut down soon after.

The Buick City plant in Flint produces the Buick LeSabre and Park Avenue and the Oldsmobile 88 Royale. Another Flint plant produces full-size vans. The Lansing assembly plant produces the Pontiac Grand Am, Olds Achieva and Buick Skylark.

“Within a week, it will go nationwide,” said Jill Miron, chairwoman of executive board of Local 651.

A just-in-time delivery system for parts makes automakers vulnerable to any interruption in supplies.

Chrysler Corp. spokesman Alan Miller said that the No. 3 U.S. automaker didn’t expect to be hurt by the strike. Ford spokesman Mike Vaughn said he was unaware of any likely effects at the No. 2 automaker. GM declined to comment on the effect.

Chris Cedergren, an industry analyst with Auto Pacific Group Inc. in Thousand Oaks, Calif., said GM is the most vulnerable of the Big Three to a strike because it’s not as financially healthy.

“The key here is how long they’re going to be out. If they’re out for a couple of days or the remainder of this week, I’d say no impact,” he said. “But if it goes into next week and gets prolonged, that will shut down production.”

Outside the plant, pickets quickly appeared and passing cars honked their horns in support.

“To avoid a strike, we did everything humanly possible, but it takes two,” UAW regional Director Ruben Burks told several hundred members at Local 651 near the plant.

“We said from the beginning, all we wanted was justice. We’re entitled to job security. We’re not going to rest at this local until we get that.”

GM officials said they hoped for a quick settlement.

“We are disappointed that we have not been able to reach agreement on issues under discussion,” said George Albrecht, director of human resources for AC Delco.

“Despite a strenuous negotiating effort by both parties, we still believe that issues can be resolved, and we will continue to work with … the UAW … to reach agreement with as little disruption as possible to our employees and our customers,” he said.