As of 5 pm central time on October 28, 2023, the Spring Hill Assembly UAW workers went on strike ratcheting up pressure on the automaker.
The UAW local 1853 made the announcement on Facebook that they had been asked to “stand up” and walk off the job.
“We are disappointed by the UAW’s action in light of the progress we have made,” according to a GM statement shared by spokesperson David Barnas to the Detroit News. “We have continued to bargain in good faith with the UAW, and our goal remains to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”
A previous news report saying the UAW and GM had come to a tentative agreement was wrong.
Why Spring Hill Assembly?
Many outsiders, like myself, might be wondering why strike at the Spring Hill Assembly plant.
This plant builds the Cadillac XT5, XT6 and all-electric Lyriq as well as the GMC Acadia. However, it is more than the vehicles.
Spring Hill is one of GM’s largest manufacturing facilities employing 4,000 people and also builds propulsion systems.
Here is the latest list of engines they build:
Turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0L I-4 LSY Ecotec engine:
- Cadillac XT4
- Cadillac XT5
- Cadillac CT4
- Cadillac CT5
- GMC Acadia
- Chevy Blazer
Turbocharged, direct-injected 2.7L I-4 L3B Ecotec engine:
- Chevrolet Silverado
- GMC Sierra
- Cadillac CT4
Small-Block 5.3L V-8 L84 engine for:
- Chevrolet Silverado
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- Chevrolet Suburban
- GMC Sierra
Small-Block 5.3L V-8 L87 engine for:
- Chevrolet Tahoe
- GMC Yukon / Yukon
- Cadillac Escalade
They also provide:
Stamping: producing internal and external parts for vehicles manufactured at Spring Hill and those manufactured at other plants
Injection moldings: molding internal and external parts for vehicles manufactured at Spring Hill
Those engines are a key part of GM’s business and are known to be massive profit generators for the company.
According to Autonews.com, negotiations are ongoing with both sides planning to meet on Sunday, October 29, 2023.
The UAW’s strike against GM has seen nearly 15,000 autoworkers to walk off the job and on the picket lines.
Other plants impacted by the strike include: “GM’s Wentzville midsize pickup truck and full-size commercial van plant outside St. Louis in Missouri, the Chevrolet Traverse and Buick Enclave plant in Delta Township outside Lansing and the full-size SUV plant in Arlington, Texas. Workers across the country at GM’s parts distribution centers also are on strike.
GM said Tuesday, before workers at Arlington Assembly plant walked off the job, that the strike had cost it $800 million,” according to the Detroit News.
With the UAW reaching tentative agreements with Ford and Stellantis, it surely seems like GM knows what they need to offer to end this labor strike. I expect it to be just a matter of time until that happens.
