More than one Ford supplier is facing labor issues these days, a list that includes Constellium and Clarios – both of which employ workers represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, while another supplier – Webasto – just voted to join the UAW as well. With a new president at its helm, the UAW has vowed to engage in heated talks with automakers moving forward in an effort to extract more pay and benefits for workers. In the case of Clarios, a strike began after its UAW workers voted down a contract proposal, after which the company filed and was granted a court injunction that restricts picketing at the entrance to its plant in Holland, Ohio. Now, after talks recently resumed, Clarios workers have once again rejected a revised contract agreement from the company, according to Automotive News.
A grand total of 75.8 percent of Clarios workers voted to reject the proposal, which reportedly contained not only wage increases for those workers, but also a cash bonus and a more flexible work schedule. However, one of the major sticking points in those negotiations has been the subject of overtime pay, as workers previously received time-and-a-half pay for shifts exceeding eight hours a day, but previously, Clarios wanted to extend straight pay to 12 hours per day.
“The members have spoken,” said David Green, director of UAW Region 2B. “We will be listening to the members to better understand their demands.” “We are disappointed our represented employees did not ratify the agreement, despite the endorsement of the UAW bargaining committee,” said Kris Sherman, director of communications for Clarios. “We are committed to continuing to operate the facility to support our customers and we are evaluating next steps.”
Clarios produces low-voltage batteries for a number of vehicles and is one of the largest such manufacturers on the planet, with 18 plants and 5,800 workers in the U.S. alone. The Toledo plant, specifically, makes batteries for both Ford and General Motors to the tune of between 125,000 and 150,000 units per week.
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