Added: May 16, 2008
From: kmbctv
Duration: 1:49
United Auto workers at the General Motors Fairfax plant are standing on the picket line, which means employees of related businesses are standing in the unemployment line. Until the strike is resolved, it's causing an economic crisis for other businesses. The UAW is striking over issues of seniority and the outsourcing of jobs. "We are of the opinion we can't take a step backward," striking worker Eric Neece told KMBC's Chris Nagus. Neece said he's willing to stand on the picket line for as long as it takes. He said he knows there will be a trickle-down effect. "This plant is a vital part of this community. For every auto worker job, it supports seven others in the community," Neece said. That includes jobs at Penske Logistics. "We have been expecting it quite awhile," Penske truck driver Kevin Braden said. Braden said he's one of only two drivers still on the clock -- 92 other hourly employees at Penske are already laid off because they deliver automotive parts to the plant. In Riverside, the company Faurecia has an empty parking lot. All of Faurecia's hourly employees are also out of work due to the strike. "It's one of those things; you hate to get laid off for any amount of time. Everybody's got bills they got to pay," Braden said. Braden is hoping for a resolution to the strike. "I'm looking forward to getting back to work with GM," Braden said. Meanwhile, Braden said the strike isn't causing any tension with the auto workers. Members of the UAW said other unions, specifically the Teamsters, are standing with them. "They flat out told me, 'We know we are going to get laid off for this. We support you 100 percent. We will not drive across the picket line,'" Neece said. If the strike continues at the Fairfax plant, General Motors could cancel workers' benefits at the plant starting June 1. The UAW told KMBC it would continue to cover health and life insurance for the striking workers. The longest GM strike lasted for 13 weeks in the 1970s.
Channel: News
Tags: city fairfax general gm kansas kmbc layoffs motors plant strike uaw
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