End of American Axle strike good news for local workers

by Samuel King (king@wsbt.com)

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About 400 workers at the H2 plant in Mishawaka were laid off because of the American Axle strike. Now that the strike is over, they will return to work on June 2. (WSBT file photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: May 23, 2008 at 4:46 PM EST

Story Updated: May 27, 2008 at 10:39 PM EST

MISHAWAKA — Workers at American Axle have approved a new contract. That means they'll soon return to work after being on strike for 87 days. It's also good news for some local workers, as the ripple effect from the strike will soon subside.

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Across the country, thousands of workers were laid off because of the strike, including almost 400 at the Hummer H2 plant just outside Mishawaka. The usually bustling factory was unusually quiet Friday.

"We've got a few people in the factory now in a caretaker operation," said Craig MacNab, a spokesman for AM General. "We will be calling approximately 50 people back next week for preparation stuff, but then the body of workers will come back Monday morning, June 2."

Nyloncraft in Mishawaka also had to lay off workers. It was able to recall some of them, but everyone had their hours reduced.

They will return to work on Tuesday. Officials at both companies are breathing a sigh of relief.

"It's very good news," MacNab said. "It's been a long layoff and we're delighted to get back to work."

About 150 employees of Explorer Van in Warsaw were also laid off as a result of the strike. Officials there previously told WSBT News it would take eight to ten days once production resumed at American Axle to bring employees back to work.

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