UAW walks out on Stellantis in Michigan
Also, Kokomo begins leaf collection Oct. 30
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United Auto Workers (UAW) for Stellantis were called to stand up and walk out at the automaker’s Sterling Heights Assembly in Michigan on Oct. 23 as the union job action expanded its number of striking members for the fourth time.
In a video on the UAW’s official YouTube page union President Shawn Fain and other UAW bargaining committee members are seen making a phone call to Sterling Heights Assembly union officials, telling them to walk out at 10 a.m.
Later in the video, Fain is seen on the Sterling Heights Assembly picket line, saying "We're out here today with Local 1700, Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. Stellantis, being the most profitable company of the Big 3, is the furthest behind about where we stand right now with money on the table. So, we felt we had no other choice but to take action here today, hit ‘em where it hurts. We want our fair share."
As of Oct. 21, the union said that some of the most important Stellantis sticking points in the negotiations were the demand of eliminating salary tiers, the time it takes to become a permanent employee, and raises for legacy retirees from the company.
So far, the unprecedented strike against all the Big 3 automakers has idled more than 40,000 auto workers and has affected thousands of support business that are vendors to the auto manufacturers.
As of Oct. 21, Kokomo's Stellantis transmission and casting plants have 830 employees on layoff due to the strike. The company's other plants in the Kokomo area have not been affected as yet.
The Sterling Heights Assembly Plant assembles the popular Dodge Ram 1500 light duty pickup truck, which is one of Stellantis's most sought after new vehicles.
Stellantis responded in an email release Monday that the company was "outraged" at the new strike expansion on their largest assembly facility. “We left the bargaining table expecting a counteroffer but have been waiting for one ever since."
Leaf pick up starts Oct. 30
City crews will begin collecting leaves on Mon., Oct. 30. Leaf collection will begin in the south side of Kokomo and continue north until all leaves are picked up or until weather no longer permits leaf pick up. Crews should be able to make collection from each residence approximately two to four times during the leaf pick up season, depending on which rate the leaves fall.
Please help make leaf collection more efficient:
• Rake loose leaves to the curb but not into the street. Leaves placed in the street may clog drains and cause street flooding.
• Keep piles away from anything that can be damaged during collection.
• Do not mix leaves with trash, limbs, landscaping materials, or garden waste. The leaf vacuum cannot pick up these heavy items.
• Bagged leaves under 50 lbs. can be set out with trash for collection.
• The Kokomo Greencycle yard waste center at 1130 S. Dixon Road will accept bagged leaves at a cost of $10 per vehicle load. Contractors should call for pricing. The yard waste center winter hours are: Nov. 1 to spring of 2024, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Limb collection will be paused until leaf collection ends. City residents may take tree limbs to the Greencycle yard waste center at no charge to city and county residents.
If you have any questions, contact the Department of Public Maintenance and Refuse at 453-4030.