Today, with negotiations starting later this month, UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle & Manufacturing (also known as Dauch Corporation) released a video laying out demands ahead of their contract expiration on May 31.
The video can be accessed and used by the media here.
In 2008, workers at American Axle took major concessions to save the facility from closure during the Great Recession. Workers are still making up lost ground from the past 18 years.
“I took a $14 an hour pay cut,” states American Axle worker Jason Buchanan in the UAW’s video released today. Many long-time workers who were making as much as $29 an hour in 2008 saw their wages cut to $14.50. Today, wages at American Axle currently top out at $22 an hour, after a five-year progression, with inflation-adjusted wages cut in half from their pre-2008 levels.
“On May 31st, our contract expires. And we expect a deal that recognizes our value. Our sacrifice. And our fair share.”
As a Tier 1 parts supplier to General Motors, American Axle has generated $2.9 billion in profits since 2022. Over that time, the company’s CEO has been paid $47.9 million, with the top five executives receiving nearly $100 million in compensation. Meanwhile, UAW members working at the Three Rivers plant struggle to afford basic needs, with some even forced to sleep in their cars.
“In 2026, it’s time to make things right at American Axle,” workers explain. “We did what we had to do to save the company. Now it’s time for the company to do what they have to do.”
Influenced by the success of the UAW’s 2023 Stand Up Strike at Ford, GM, and Stellantis, American Axle workers are ready to make up for nearly two decades of lost wages and benefits. Members’ demands include: no concessions, fairer wages and profit sharing, better health care, stronger retirement, and job security.
The full transcript from the video released by UAW Local 2093 members at American Axle can be found below:
When autoworkers saved the auto industry in 2008, it wasn’t just at the Big Three.
Here at American Axle,
We sacrificed everything.
Wages cut in half.
“I took a $14 an hour pay cut.”
Pensions frozen.
“I lost my house.”
Hundreds of jobs lost.
“I lost my healthcare.”
Plants closed.
And 18 years later
American Axle is doing great.
So why aren’t we?
On May 31st, our contract expires.
And we expect a deal that recognizes our value. Our sacrifice. And our fair share.
We supply the axels and parts that make companies like General Motors billions of dollars.
We saved this company when they were on the ropes.
American Axle made $1.6 billion in the past ten years.
The CEO got paid over $100 million dollars.
And we got screwed.
Twenty years ago, American Axle workers were making almost 30 bucks an hour.
Now we’ve got workers sleeping in their cars.
Our pensions are frozen.
Our profit-sharing is a slap in the face.
In 2026,
It’s time to make things right at American Axle
We did what we had to do to save the company.
Now it’s time for the company to do what they have to do.
We demand.
A living wage.
We demand.
Job security.
We demand.
To make things right.
We are American Axle.
And we are coming for our fair share.
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