Union members vote on authorizing leadership to call a strike - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(01/31/13) - Hundreds of union members are voting Thursday on authorizing their leadership to call a strike against General Motors.

Nearly 900 UAW members who work for GM at two Delphi plants have been without a contract for nearly two years. Union leadership is getting fed up.

The two plants are along Center Road. Plant 43 makes instrument clusters for Chevrolet and GMC pickups.

A redesigned pickup is coming in 2014 and local president Art Reyes is concerned if a contract isn't reached soon with GM, it could jeopardize new work coming to the plant.

The other plant makes after-market automotive products.

Informational meetings were held Wednesday at the union hall to explain the situation to the rank and file. Union leaders say they wanted to make sure workers were getting correct information and were not being mislead by the rumor mill.

Voting started at 7 Thursday morning.

Reyes says a strike authorization vote doesn't mean there would necessarily be a walkout, but it would demonstrate to General Motors the union is serious about reaching a local contract.

Reyes say a "yes' vote gives the bargaining team every tool available and shows the union's frustration with the company's refusal to negotiate.

"We need to get them back to the table and this is just something we hadn't done before. It's now time to do that so that way they can see the seriousness of the membership in wanting to get a contract, getting them to the table and sitting down and having a fair and equitable agreement," Reyes said.

Voting will continue until 5:30 Thursday afternoon.

General Motors has had no comment on the matter.