UAW Local 2093 Files ULP Charges Against American Axle for Intimidation

Labor Disputes Arise at American Axle in Michigan

The labor environment at American Axle's facility in Three Rivers, Michigan, has intensified as members of UAW Local 2093 have levied Unfair Labor Practice (ULP) charges against the company. The allegations point to illegal intimidation tactics against union members advocating for a fair contract, which is set to expire on May 31. Earlier in the month, an overwhelming 98% of approximately 1,000 workers voted in favor of strike authorization.

UAW Region 1D Director Steve Dawes criticized the company's actions, stating, “Calling the police on your own dedicated workforce for holding union flyers isn’t just a violation of federal labor law – it’s a desperate attempt to bully workers into submission. But that’s not going to work with UAW Local 2093 members. These workers are going to stay strong for a record contract.”

These federal charges come in the wake of an incident on April 13, when management reportedly summoned police to eject off-duty workers who were distributing union-related materials at the plant entrance. The company further threatened these workers with charges of trespassing and termination, actions that allegedly violate Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act, which protects workers' rights to organize.

Josh Jagger, UAW Local 2093 Chairperson at American Axle, emphasized their resolve: “We are well-aware of our federally protected right to organize, speak out, and stand together, and we are going to exercise those rights all the way through. We will not be intimidated by corporate bullies when we are the ones who spent years building this company back up.”

Back in 2008, during the Great Recession, American Axle's workers made significant concessions to prevent the plant from closing. At that time, wages for some workers plummeted from $29 to $14.50 an hour. Despite these efforts, eighteen years later, wage recovery has been slow, with current top wages at $22 an hour, adjusted for inflation, still lagging behind pre-recession levels.

In contrast to the wage struggles of the workers, American Axle, a major supplier to General Motors, has seen substantial financial success, raking in $8.4 billion in profits over the past decade. Corporate compensation has also been substantial, with the CEO receiving $111 million and the top five executives earning nearly $231 million during this period. Meanwhile, UAW members at the Three Rivers plant continue to face financial challenges, with some reportedly resorting to living in their vehicles to make ends meet.