September 16, 2019
Auto News
UAW labor strike: Picketers block Michigan GM plant
Striking employees of General Motors used their bodies and vehicles to block all entrances to the automaker's Flint Assembly Plant Monday, several hours into a United Auto Workers labor walkout.
Vehicles lined up on roads around the plant and picketers walked with signs on nearby Interstate 75, causing traffic to come to a virtual standstill.
More than 48,000 workers are striking to demand fair wages, affordable healthcare and job security.
Contract talks between GM and the UAW have been going for 18 months. The UAW contract expired Sunday and the strike started at 11:59 p.m. Sunday. The two sides were scheduled to meet again Monday, and GM has said it will "negotiate around-the-clock."
The automaker has offered new solutions for vacant plants in Michigan and Ohio, as well as new investment for eight facilities in four states. GM has also promised new all-electric trucks and the opportunity to become the first union-represented battery cell manufacturing site in the United States.
"We're telling GM that we're not backing down," James Fisette, a fork lift driver, told the Detroit Free Press. "They are trying to get through and our people have been hit four times."
Engine builder James Bothell said he was bumped by a vehicle trying to enter the plant.
"Thing is, I think most of these people on salary get it -- 95 percent are nodding their heads as they pass by Bothell said. "I think a strike is long overdue, to be honest. In 2007, we opened up our contract and gave away a lot of things, like vacation days and cost-of-living increases and holidays."
Several drivers who attempted to enter the plant said they weren't replacement workers but were permanent GM employees.
U.S. auto sales rise 10.9 percent in August
U.S. new vehicle sales of 1,649,669 units for the month of August represented an increase of 10.9% increase from August 2018.
August's passenger car sales fell 1.3% to 453,250 units, while SUV and truck sales increased 16.4% to 1,196,419 units.
August had an overall SAAR of 17.07 million units compared to 16.94 million units in August 2018.
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Best Sellers
US Top 10 best selling models July 2019
1. Ford F-Series 73,174
2. Ram P/U 48,370
3. Chevrolet Silverado 47,417
4. Toyota RAV4 39,645
5. Honda CR-V 33,656
6. Honda Civic 29,167
7. Toyota Corolla 28,283
8. Chevrolet Equinox 27,177
9. Toyota Camry 27,134
10. Nissan Rogue 25,955
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The Editor
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