American Axle Reaches A Deal With UAW Ending 11-Week Strike

May 18, 2008 1:29 p.m. EST

New York, NY (AHN) - The United Auto Workers union reported that it has reached a tentative deal with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., who will pay its employees $10 to $26 an hour at plants in Detroit and New York.

Af approved by union workers the deal would end an 11-week strike by around 3,650 UAW workers that stared Feb. 26 and stopped the production at the General Motors Corp. supplier's 30 plants in North America.

"This has been an extremely difficult struggle for our members and their families," UAW Vice President Jimmy Settles said in the statement, according to MarketWatch.

"By standing strong during this strike, UAW members gave our bargaining committee the strength to face the challenges at the negotiating table."

In a statement late Friday, UAW President Ron Getttelfinger had indicated that it would explain the deal to its members during a meeting on Sunday in Detroit.

Under the agreement, American Axle has decided to pay a maximum of $105,000 over the period of three years to the workers, which will slowly ease them into lower salaries, while offering early retirement to senior workers.

The agreement will be voted on by the members of United Auto Workers union at plants in New York and Michigan on Monday.