Union warns GM Fairfax plant of possible strike

Union employees at the General Motors Fairfax Assembly Plant issued a letter warning the company that they will strike on Tuesday unless progress is made toward getting a new contract.

Jeff Manning, president of United Auto Workers Local 31, said the previous contract expired in September. General Motors (NYSE: GM) and union officials are trying to iron out a new four-year deal. Local 31 has about 2,600 members.

Manning said the main point of contention is that the union wants seniority to continue playing a role in bidding for transfer jobs at the plant. He said that other issues remain but that he's not at liberty to discuss them now.

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"At this point, I am hopeful that we can get this done without going on strike," Manning said. "We would just like to get management to sit down at the table and negotiate reasonably. We have all intentions of getting this done without a strike and are willing to stay at the table for however long it takes."

The five-day notice was issued Thursday afternoon and expires at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Manning said.

GM corporate spokesman Dan Flores said the negotiations involve the local union contract with UAW Local 31. The national contract with the UAW covers major issues such as wages, benefits, pensions, retirement and health care. Local contracts can cover a wide variety of other issues, but Flores said he is not at liberty to discuss what issues may be points of contention at the Fairfax Assembly Plant.

General Motors does not negotiate union contracts in the press, he said.

"What I can say is that from our perspective, we're committed to continuing to bargain in good faith," Flores said. "We are hopeful we can reach an agreement without a strike."

The Chevy Malibu, assembled at the Fairfax Plant, is one of the biggest successes for General Motors, Flores said.

Flores said the Fairfax plant has a reputation as a go-to plant for General Motors, one that builds quality products and has a strong partnership between union and business management.

The Fairfax Assembly Plant ranks 15th on the Kansas City Business Journal list of Top 100 Private-sector employers, with 2,700 employees.