UAW Local 2093 Demands Fair Pay as American Axle Contract Nears End

Negotiations are set to begin later this month as members of UAW Local 2093 at American Axle & Manufacturing, also known as Dauch Corporation, have outlined their expectations ahead of their contract's expiration on May 31. The workers have released a video detailing these demands.

The video is available for media use here.

Back in 2008, during the Great Recession, employees at American Axle made significant concessions to prevent the closure of their facility. Eighteen years later, they are still working to recover from those setbacks.

American Axle worker Jason Buchanan mentions in the recently released video by the UAW: “I took a $14 an hour pay cut.” Many experienced workers who were earning up to $29 an hour in 2008 experienced wage reductions to $14.50. Presently, the maximum wage at American Axle is $22 an hour, achieved through a five-year progression, with inflation-adjusted wages significantly lower than pre-2008 levels.

The contract expires on May 31, and workers are pushing for an agreement that acknowledges their contributions and sacrifices. As a key parts supplier to General Motors, American Axle has reported $2.9 billion in profits since 2022. The company's CEO has received $47.9 million in compensation, while the top five executives have collectively earned nearly $100 million. Meanwhile, some UAW members at the Three Rivers plant continue to face financial hardships, with reports of workers resorting to sleeping in their cars.

“In 2026, it’s time to make things right at American Axle,” workers express in the video. They emphasize the sacrifices made to save the company and urge the company to reciprocate.

American Axle employees, inspired by the successful UAW Stand Up Strike at Ford, GM, and Stellantis in 2023, are poised to seek redress for nearly two decades of reduced wages and benefits. Their demands include no further concessions, equitable wages and profit sharing, improved healthcare, stronger retirement options, and job security.

The UAW Local 2093's video transcript is presented below:

When autoworkers saved the auto industry in 2008, it wasn’t just at the Big Three.

Here at American Axle,

We sacrificed everything.

Wages cut in half.

“I took a $14 an hour pay cut.”

Pensions frozen.

“I lost my house.”

Hundreds of jobs lost.

“I lost my healthcare.”

Plants closed.

And 18 years later

American Axle is doing great.

So why aren’t we?

On May 31st, our contract expires.

And we expect a deal that recognizes our value. Our sacrifice. And our fair share.

We supply the axels and parts that make companies like General Motors billions of dollars.

We saved this company when they were on the ropes.

American Axle made $1.6 billion in the past ten years.

The CEO got paid over $100 million dollars.

And we got screwed.

Twenty years ago, American Axle workers were making almost 30 bucks an hour.

Now we’ve got workers sleeping in their cars.

Our pensions are frozen.

Our profit-sharing is a slap in the face.

In 2026,

It’s time to make things right at American Axle

We did what we had to do to save the company.

Now it’s time for the company to do what they have to do.

We demand.

A living wage.

We demand.

Job security.

We demand.

To make things right.

We are American Axle.

And we are coming for our fair share.