The temporary layoffs are some of the first effects on the auto industry resulting from the United Auto Workers's targeted strike against the Big Three Detroit automakers — Ford, General Motors, and Stellantis. The approximately 600 employees were told not to report to work on Friday because of the interconnected nature of the assembly line at the plant in Wayne, Michigan, according to a company spokeswoman.
"Approximately 600 employees at Michigan Assembly Plant’s body construction department and south sub-assembly area of integrated stamping were notified not to report to work Sept. 15. This is not a lockout. This layoff is a consequence of the strike at Michigan Assembly Plant’s final assembly and paint departments, because the components built by these 600 employees use materials that must be e-coated for protection.
Ford's temporary layoffs come as General Motors says it expects to idle operations at its assembly plant in Fairfax, Kansas, due to the strike at its Wentzville, Missouri, plant. "Due to the strike’s impact on Wentzville operations, we anticipate running out of parts for Fairfax as soon as early next week. The parts situation is fluid, and we are actively managing the situation," General Motors said, per Reuters."Since Fairfax won't be able to run production due to a part shortage caused by the strike in Wentzville, there is no work available.
President Joe Biden, who has branded himself as a pro-union president, attempted to strike a balance when discussing the strike on Friday, saying he believes the"record profits" from the Big Three Detroit automakers"have not been shared fairly, in my view, with those workers."