Gm Facing New Disruption In Electrical Workers Dispute

In a high-stakes game of poker, General Motors Corp. this week must gamble on whether the International Union of Electrical Workers is serious about its threat to strike two Ohio plants and disrupt the automaker’s assembly lines for the second time this year.

Analysts say the union, which builds suspension-system parts for GM at a pair of Delphi Chassis Systems plants in Kettering, Ohio, won’t strike because it does not have the clout of the United Auto Workers.

But GM, which settled a crippling UAW strike less than two weeks ago, may be too tender to take the chance.

A strike could cause similar disruptions of GM production because the Ohio plants are Delphi’s only producers of shock absorbers and struts for GM vehicles. About 85 percent of the plants’ output goes to GM. Delphi is a GM components subsidiary.

The electrical workers last week issued a strike notice, citing concerns about outsourcing, subcontracting and health and safety. Deadline for the strike is Wednesday.

Outsourcing, or the hiring of outside companies to do work that had been done at the plant, also was an issue in the UAW strike.

But the electrical union is much smaller than the UAW. Analysts say the UAW represents about 225,000 of GM’s 240,000 workers while the IUE represents 8,000 to 9,000. Of that, 2,700 work at the two Delphi plants in Kettering.

In other events this week:

Tuesday

Momentum ‘96 executive board meets.

1996 Pulitzer Prize winners are announced in New York.

National Space Symposium opens in Colorado Springs, Colo.

National conference on the use of technology to enhance public safety opens in Los Angeles.

Wednesday

Inland Northwest Pollution Prevention Expo ‘96 opens at the Spokane Convention Center, with keynote speaker Paul Hawken, producer of PBS series “Growing a Company.” Cost: $15 breakfast; $25 lunch; $35 both. Call 326-6885.

Kaiser Aluminum Corp. holds special meeting of shareholders in Houston to consider two-tiered stock recapitalization plan.

U.S. Department of Labor releases productivity report.

Thursday

Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council meets at 7 a.m., 1020 W. Riverside.

Labor Department reports March producer prices, a measure of wholesale inflation.

Agricultural Statistics Service releases crop production report.

Friday

John Kelly, chairman and chief executive officer of Alaska Air Group, speaks at 7:30 a.m. to the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce in the Crescent Court Ballroom. Tickets: $7 advance; $10 at the door. Call 624-1393.

State Rep. Cathy McMorris, R-Colville, speaks at noon to the Spokane Ag Bureau at the Stockyards Inn restaurant.

Saturday

National Association of Broadcasters convention opens in Las Vegas.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Graphic: Lumber prices

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON THE SHELF Business Week, April 8: Special report looks at the fierce competition among computer, media and communications companies in the newly deregulated telecommunications industry.

The most expensive markets in which to rent an apartment, based on a survey by M/PF Research Inc. of Dallas. Prices are averages for units ranging from a studio to three-bedroom. San Francisco, $1,105; Orange County, $959; Oakland, $921; Los Angeles, $864; Chicago, $842; Fort Lauderdale, $777; Middlesex, N. J., $767; Minneapolis, $766; Washington, D. C., $766 West Palm Beach, $753.