Unbelievable!! What else can happen! Truckers (Allied) STRIKE!!

[Old Guy]

Article I found....

New boss, same GM work – and pay – for haulers


Sherry Slater | The Journal Gazette
FORT WAYNE – Some local transport workers on Thursday transferred to a new employer after a week of behind-the-scenes wrangling.
But those members of Teamsters Local 414 will continue to play a role in moving new Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups from the Allen County truck assembly plant to dealership lots.
Allied Automotive Group last week notified union leaders their employees’ pay was being cut by 20 percent, Teamsters Local 414 President George Gerdes said. The union responded with a 72-hour strike notice, he said.
Allied transports vehicles for several carmakers, including Ford, Chrysler, Honda and Toyota.
“The gist is, (Allied) couldn’t afford to pay us the full rate on what GM was paying them,” Gerdes said.
GM corporate spokesman Dan Flores said Allied decided to discontinue service to the Allen County plant. Flores didn’t have additional details except to say no production disruptions are expected.
General Motors Co. is a new company formed after General Motors Corp. filed for bankruptcy reorganization in mid-2009 and shed much of its debt by renegotiating various contracts. GM’s production workers have accepted concessions in recent years, including forgoing cost-of-living raises.
GM still owes $36 billion from a $49.5 billion federal bailout. Taxpayers own about one-third of the company.
Ford Motor Co. renegotiated its contract with Allied Automotive, agreeing to increased terms, Gerdes said. But GM declined to do the same, he said.
Allied Automotive decided to stop shipping cars from all GM factories, Gerdes said. But competitor Jack Cooper Transport was able to reach a deal with GM to take over the duties, CEO Bob Griffin confirmed.
Because the Teamsters supply workers to both transportation companies, the same workers will continue moving pickups at GM’s Allen County plant. They will draw paychecks from Jack Cooper instead of Allied.
Workers’ duties include moving trucks from the end of the production line to either the rail or truck area.
Despite the employment switch, the union members will work under the same contract and retain seniority and holidays, Gerdes said. Wages average $20.50 an hour, he said.
“We’re flexible,” he said. “We’re not trying to shut GM down.”
Griffin, who is based in Kansas City, Mo., said Jack Cooper already had a presence in Fort Wayne. The company also had enough transport trucks to keep up with the increased workforce and workload, he said. He doesn’t believe anyone will be left without a job.
Jack Cooper has a 50-year business relationship with GM, Griffin said, and details are still being finalized on the new minimum three-year agreement.
Griffin declined to speculate why Allied couldn’t honor the union contract based on what GM will pay.
“I really can’t answer why they can’t handle the business but we can,” he said. “It will be very profitable to us.”

[572HP]

My dealer said that when they called the GM Business Center to inquire about my order, they heard a recording stating that GM has severed their relationship with Allied. I'm sure there will be more delays, as they scramble to reschedule shipments with other carriers.

[dodojoe]

OK, our car was delivered this afternoon to the dealer!! I saw it first hand so I know it was there. They stated that some other carrier did bring it in!! So they are getting delivered, but there will be delays!! I am so happy!!!!

[PINKED]

I just copied this from the General Discussion Forum:

Did anyone read this news story(Delayed Camaros)
Hopefully this isnt the reason for the delay for anyone who is waiting for there car.

General Motors accused a car-hauling company Tuesday of holding hostage more than 1,700 vehicles — including brand new Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks and Camaro coupes worth almost $47 million.

Some of the vehicles already have been purchased by specific customers, and unless GM is given immediate possession, the vehicles could depreciate in value and dealers would be deprived of valuable inventory, according to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit.
And unless Georgia-based Allied Ltd. returns the vehicles, GM's attempt to win back customers — a major priority since the automaker emerged from bankruptcy — could suffer, according to the lawsuit.
GM wants a judge to award the Detroit automaker immediate possession of the vehicles, costs and unspecified damages.
"The calculable damages resulting from Allied's refusal to meet its obligations to return the vehicles to GM will be substantial and … likely beyond the financial ability of Allied to satisfy, further rendering GM without an adequate legal remedy," GM lawyer Daniel Linna wrote in the lawsuit.
Linna declined to comment Tuesday. An Allied lawyer could not be reached immediately for comment.
The dispute apparently began when the Teamsters union told Allied it wasn't going to accept wage concessions and Allied then sought to increase by 15 percent the amount it was charging GM. GM declined to pay more.
"Last Thursday Allied Systems ceased providing transportation services to GM. As a result GM took immediate steps to resource the work previously performed by Allied. Allied was in possession of 1,700 vehicles," GM spokesman Dan Flores said.
GM has asked for the vehicles and Allied has refused, prompting the lawsuit, he said


From The Detroit News: http://detnews.com/article/20110323/...#ixzz1HQGYYFS6

[1981 Z28]

I sure hope it is only Camaro Coupes and not convertibles. Sorry Coupe guys but if you would have waited as long as I have, I would have a little sympathy for you. The way my luck has been going mine would be the ONLY Convertible tied up in this B. S.

[modawg2k]

My dealer said they drove mine from the railyard because they didn't want to put it on a truck...who knows

[572HP]

My convertible status shows that it was unloaded from the train, and has been "On hold" since last Friday!!! The car is 10 miles away. This must be one of those hostages

[572HP]

I just got off the phone with Allied, and they confirmed my car is being held.

[Ph4r]

My dealer called today, and they say my car is still sitting in Oshawa, clear of QC, but they don't know when they are going to be able to ship it to Dearborn/Detroit/Sterling Heights. Apparently, AAG would truck from Oshawa to Dearborn, they would not give any ETA.

[572HP]

Here is another article that states that they are due in court on March 29th:

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-03-23/general-motors-sues-vehicle-hauler-allied-seeks-return-of-cars.html

Tons of articles since about noon today. The lady that I talked to at Allied had no clue about the situation. When I told her the situation, she laughed, and asked me if I always believe everything I read.

Why doesn't GM just agree to the 15% increase for these 1700 cars? I'm sure that would be the cheapest thing to do in the end. They've already severed ties with them.

[572HP]

My salesman called GM, and they told him that Allied does not have my vehicle, and that a different carrier does. I'm not sure why Allied told me that they had it yesterday. Maybe it traded hands since then. Anyway, the trucking company says that it will be delivered within 2-3 days.

[Lightrider]

Originally Posted by 572HP

the trucking company says that it will be delivered within 2-3 days.

Excellent news!