BEDFORD - SEPTEMBER 22, 2023 - The Bedford GM Powertrain workers and local UAW 440 Union Members will not hit the picket lines today.
UAW president Derek Cronin notified the Lawrence County Zephyr the local plant was not on the list to strike at this time.
Photo: UAW union members walk the picket line at GM PowerTrain Plant in Bedford in 2019
A Solidarity Rally will take place on Sunday at Harp Commons in downtown Bedford.
The local UAW 440 will host a Solidarity Rally on Sunday, September 24th, 2023 from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Harp Commons located downtown Bedford. This is located between 15th - 16th Street on J Street in Bedford.
There will be speakers as well as food, and the public is welcome to the event to show Solidarity.
The Bedford Board of Works approved the closure of J Street between 15th and 16th Street 11:00 am - until the conclusion of the event.
Photo: UAW 440 President Derek Cronin
The UAW National contract expired last Thursday with only select plants hitting the picket lines.
There are 550 union members of the Bedford GM Powertrain plant and approximately 703 employees in total.
" At the present time our membership is focusing on the national contract negations before turning our attention to the local contract," said Derek Cronin president Local 440 Bedford, Indiana.
The UAW has asked for at least 40 percent pay raises over four years.
32-hour work week with 40 hours of pay
The restoration of pensions
Limits on part-time employees
In GM response to the union demands the company has only offered a few pay raises but did not pass the cost of living wages the workers have asked for.
"Over the last 14 years the workers have sacrificed making the company profitable during that period of time," said Cronin. " It is time the workers are rewarded for those sacrifices,"
The two-tier pay system continues and according to Cronin continues and is not equal pay for all its members.
The Bedford plant is served by two unions the United Auto Workers which represent the production workers and the International Brother Electrical Workers who represent the skill trades.
The Lawrence County Zephyr will continue to monitor developments to this story.
For breaking news, news and information go to lczephyr.org or like/ follow the Lawrence County Zephyr Facebook page.
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