General Motors stopped production Monday at its Wentzville Assembly Plant in Missouri after union-represented workers at a nearby seat supplier went on strike late Sunday.
GM builds its midsize pickups and cargo vans at Wentzville Assembly, where it employs about 4,600 people, according to its website. It is one of GM's key plants and was one of the first plants the UAW struck last fall during its targeted so-called Stand Up strike.
Earlier on Monday, GM spokesman told the Free Press that the automaker had sent third-shift workers home early due to a parts shortage and the company was continuing to monitor the situation. But later in the afternoon, spokesman Kevin Kelly said the automaker had idled the plant.
"We can confirm that GM Wentzville Assembly Plant was impacted by part shortages resulting from a labor dispute at one of our suppliers. We hope both sides work quickly to resolve their issues so we can resume our regular production schedule to support our customers," Kelly said in a statement.
The supplier is a Lear plant in Wentzville, where about 500 union-represented workers assemble the seats used for the GM vehicles. Kelly said no other GM plants are impacted by the strike.
A spokesman for Lear sent the following statement to the Free Press, asking it be attributed to the company:
“We have negotiated in good faith with the UAW for some time to reach a new collective bargaining agreement for our Wentzville, Missouri, seating assembly plant. Despite progress in the negotiations, the union informed us late last night of their decision to strike. Lear Corporation stands firm in supporting our employees and the communities in which we operate. With over 100 years in the automotive industry, we pride ourselves on our successful relationships with our employees and union partners. We remain committed to reaching an agreement that will benefit all parties.”
The Lear spokesman did not provide further details. The UAW provided a statement to the Free Press from Region 4 Director Brandon Campbell blaming Lear for the Wentzville shutdown.
"Shame on Lear for failing to come to a fair agreement with the 500 members of UAW Local 282 who are now forced to strike for their fair share," Campbell said. "The company has had plenty of time to make things right, but instead spent a billion dollars on stock buybacks and dividends last year. Now Wentzville Assembly is down thanks to Lear's refusal to bargain a fair deal."
Contact Jamie L. LaReau: jlareau@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan
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