As UAW Settles Strike at GM, IUE-CWA Prepares for Talks

This week's Auto Workers strike against General Motors caused a postponement in talks that were set to begin Tuesday on behalf of 2,300 members of IUE-CWA at the Moraine, Ohio, GM plant.  Those negotiations now are set to open early next week following a tentative settlement and end to the UAW walkout, said IUE-CWA Automotive Conference Board Chair Willie Thorpe.  The current contract expires Oct. 15.

UAW reported achieving its goal of job security improvements as a result of the brief strike by 74,000 workers.  While full details weren't being reported pending contract explanation meetings and ratification, the parties did announce a breakthrough agreement to shift retiree health care costs to a GM-funded voluntary employee beneficiary association (VEBA), to be managed by the union. 

Future jobs at the plant will be a major discussion point for the Moraine workers, who assemble SUVs, since production of the Chevy Blazer will be winding down over the next couple of years:  "We need to get new production in this plant," Thorpe said.   He noted that the Moraine plant has been one of GM's most productive facilities for many years.