Axle strikers say progress is too slow

Eric Morath / The Detroit News

DETROIT — After 53 days on the picket line, American Axle strikers say they are growing frustrated with slow progress, a lack of information from their union and the company’s apparent unrelenting stance.

Several said Friday they were disappointed that after a planned Hart Plaza rally was canceled, they’ve still heard no word on a deal.

Organizers of the nixed United Auto Workers union rally said progress was being made in negotiations with American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc., but strikers like Kim Hunter of Southfield say they haven’t seen it.

"We should have kept the rally going and not tried to save face for Dick Dauch," she said, referring to American Axle’s chairman and CEO. "We had people coming in from all over."

Hunter and others said they’ve heard rumors of a deal calling for a $10 per hour cut to their $28 per hour wages.

"If we give back one dime, I’m voting no," said Rob Hopp of Chesterfield Township. Workers walked off the job Feb. 26 refusing to accept deep cuts to wages and benefits.

American Axle spokeswoman Renee Rogers said talks moved forward Friday. UAW spokesman Roger Kerson didn’t return calls.

Ten days of continuous negotiations and the canceled rally suggest progress is being made, said John Taylor, assistant professor and labor law expert at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. "The rank-and-file, I suspect, is getting antsy because they want to see progress yesterday," he said.