General Motors workers at plants in Michigan, Ohio and Kansas began walking off the job and organizing pickets as a national strike against the automaker began yesterday. UAW local leaders had been told to have 73,000 union-represented GM factory workers begin walking off the job after an impasse in 10-week-old contract talks had not been resolved. The last contract expired 9/14.
"We’re on strike. It’s too late to call us back now," UAW Local President Chris "Tiny" Sherwood told Reuters as a union-imposed strike deadline passed at 11 a.m. ET Monday.
The strike is the first against GM since 1998 and marks the first time since 1979 that the UAW called a national strike in the midst of contract talks with one of the U.S. automakers. UAW Local 22 President George McGregor said he hoped the strike would force both sides to reach a quick agreement.
RBR/TVBR observation: It’s unlikely at this early stage, but the strike could affect the network radio upfront if it goes on for a while. Media negotiations with GM on certain lines could be pushed back at least until things get resolved.
