Strike hasn't affected local operations at GM

June 10, 1998

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - The General Motors Corp. Service Parts Operations plant in Martinsburg has not been forced to cut staff despite a strike that has upset work schedules at several other GM facilities.

A strike at GM's Flint Metal Center in Detroit - now in its fifth day - has resulted in shortages of hoods, fenders, doors and other sheet-metal parts. About 3,400 workers walked out over disputes on work rules and staffing levels.

A plant near Detroit sent 2,800 workers home early Monday because there wasn't enough work. GM also sent workers home early from a light truck plant in Moraine, Ohio, and from a car plant in Oshawa, Ontario.

"Unfortunately, we can't really speculate on the impact it will have on other GM facilities," said Darcy Traynor, media relations manager for the GM service parts operation in Detroit.

"It is our policy to notify employees before the public," Traynor said.

The Martinsburg plant is one of 21 distribution and processing centers maintained by GM in the United States.

Workers there also process moldings with attaching screws and clips for dealer installation.

It distributes about 85,000 parts and accessories to 1,000 GM dealers in Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York and North Carolina, Traynor said.

More than 500 mass merchandisers and independent installers in nine additional states and Canada are supported by the Martinsburg plant, Traynor said.

-The Associated Press contributed to this story.

|

|

|