FLINT -- Saving the flint truck assembly plant is what UAW local 598 members are trying to do. General Motors is demanding cost-cutting changes in 30 days or may force a plant shut down.
NB25 spoke with union leader Mark Hawkins of Flint Truck Assembly. He says they will have a plan in the next couple of days.
GM wants them to adopt their 100 point plan which deals with the elimination of skilled trades, and also what GM calls non-core functions in the plant. Hawkin's says no one really knows what that means.
In addition, there is the handling of materials that GM wants to see changed as well. On this plan, Hawkins stated, "there are a lot of conflicts and discrepancies in their point system. That is what we spend Friday and this morning pointing out, that the system they developed doesn't make any sense."
GM also wants UAW local 598 members to approve a new local contract that may have cuts in health care, benefits and could even force layoffs.
Members discussed about 97% of the proposal during Sunday's meeting at the Whiting in Flint. Hawkin's stated, "there's several jobs they want to eliminate and or outsource, and we want to keep the jobs in house so that's how this works."
A deal has to be reached by March 11th. A second meeting may be organized at a later date.
All of this comes as GM and Chrysler work with the UAW on restructuring plans due in to Washington by Tuesday as part of the bridge loan guidelines.
