It's not been a good month for GM's Delta Township plant-- nor its suppliers-- who are still out of work, waiting for the strike to be settled.
Android Industries, Plastech and Ryder-- all reprsented by UAW Local 652-- are just some of the local suppliers experiencing major lay-offs since the strike began. Between those three, about 1,100 people have been laid off.
"Android, those guys are just drawing plain unemployment," says 652 president Tiny Sherwood. "They're only making $11.50 to $14.50 an hour. Their unemployment isn't as high as the GM guys."
Sherwood says financially times are very tough for these laid-off workers.
"Their benefits have been curtailed, they stoped first of the month."
About 800 workers at Ryder alone have been laid off now for about a month because of the strike. Even if the strike ends, Sherwood says the suppliers would have to go back to work first before any cars could be produced.
But sherwood also worries about the ripple effect caused by plants being so dependent on suppliers.
"Now instead of worrying about just one strike, we worry about nine or 10-- each individual plant can shut you down."
And unrest at an Ohio GM plant has him worried about a possible new slew of supplier shutdowns.
"It's a juggling act," Sherwood says.
But a serious business-- trying to keep people in their jobs.