WNED-AM 970 NEWS (Buffalo), June 5, 2007, Tuesday

WNED-AM 970 NEWS http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wned/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1092694

Workers Say American Axle Plant Will Close

Chris Caya


BUFFALO (2007-06-05) Production at American Axle's East Delevan Avenue plant could come to a screeching halt in about nine-months.

Workers at the 70-year-old factory tell the Buffalo News that the company has "unofficially" told them that the plant will close when the United Auto Workers union contract expires in March of 2008.

Officials at American Axle refuse to comment, however in April the company did announce that the plant was close to losing a production line. And at the time the UAW warned its members that the plant could close unless new work is found.

A recent notice from the union is also warning workers to prepare for a possible strike when their contract expires in March.

Cornell University School of Industrial Labor Relations Education Specialist Art Wheaton says there is a reason no one is talking.

"They still have the right to compete for new work, so if they can compete for new work, then they can change their mind. It's not over until they officially announce it, but the time frame is already governed by the national contract, so they can't officially close until next year," Wheaton told WNED.

However, Wheaton says the plant could be idled before then.

The American Axle plant on East Delevan employs about 650-workers. The company's other local facilities in Tonawanda and Cheektowaga are not expected to be effected if the Buffalo plant is shut-down.