LANSING – UAW workers waving "on strike" signs gathered at intersections near two General Motors Co. assembly plants in Lansing on Monday morning, showing support for their union's national strike.

“Most of us can’t afford the vehicles we make,” said Alex Hernandez, a 38-year GM employee at Lansing Delta. “That is what happens in third-world countries. We’re not a third-world country.”

Senior workers make $28-$33 per hour while temporary workers make about $15 per hour.

UAW leadership unanimously voted to strike on Sunday after letting their GM contract expire at 12 a.m. that day. Auto workers reported to Sunday shifts, though, and the walkout began at 12 a.m. on Monday morning.

The strike affects Lansing Grand River Assembly and Lansing Delta Assembly and related stamping operations. GM's combined Lansing-area workforce is 4,400 hourly and salaried employees.

There are another 900 workers at independent parts suppliers represented by UAW Local 724, among others, who may eventually feel the impact as the strike continues. Industry analysts say GM stands to lose $400 million a day from a halt in North American production.

Health care concerns in GM-UAW contract negotiations

UAW Local 652 President Randy Freeman said there is much to address in the contract dispute. Members of Local 652 and Local 602, which represents Lansing Delta Assembly employees, disagree with GM over health care, temporary workers and wage increases.

Freeman wants overseas jobs brought back to the United States and said health care is a major concern for him and other members.

“They want us to pay more health care benefits. We want them to stay as they are,” Freeman explained.

Hernandez, in a telephone interview, echoed that concern. “Health care costs are through the roof,” he said.

Hernandez has gone on strike twice before, but said this time “it’s personal.”

He is critical of GM’s two-tier wage system, which has resulted in pay disparities among employees hired before and after 2007. The union also wants temporary workers to be hired permanently.

“When I was hired in, I could make a future there. There is no future. Others don’t know if they are going to get laid off. They don’t know if they have job security anymore,” Hernandez said.

GM says it has invested in UAW members

GM's Lansing-based spokesperson Erin Davis sent the Lansing State Journal a statement on Monday morning.

“We presented a strong offer that improves wages, benefits and grows U.S. jobs in substantive ways, and it is disappointing that the UAW leadership has chosen to strike at midnight. We have negotiated in good faith and with a sense of urgency. Our goal remains to build a strong future for our employees and our business.”

She added that GM offered UAW members “over $7 billion in U.S. investments, more than 5,400 jobs, higher pay and more."

Reacting to GM's statement about added jobs and U.S. investments, Freeman said: “If they were going to do it, they should have done it. It shouldn’t be a leverage tool for negotiations.”

He doesn’t know how long the strike will last, but Freeman has planned for members to have a presence outside Lansing Grand River Assembly 24 hours a day. His union represents workers at LGR and at Lansing Regional Stamping, which is on the campus of the Lansing Delta plant.

“Nobody wins in a strike. It’s hard to recover. Some want to strike, and others wish they weren’t striking,” said Freeman.

UAW member: 'We'll do what we have to do'

But members are saying they will sacrifice, even if that means accepting only $250 a week in strike assistance payments instead of their regular pay.

“We’ll do what we have to do,” stated Ruby Adams, an hourly employee who was gathered with seven others near Lansing Grand River Assembly at Malcolm X Street and Zubkus Way on Monday morning. The group waved picket signs at passing motorists.

Her fellow protesters nodded in agreement, saying that they were all hourly workers and believe that as such they had no choice but to strike.

Electrician Winston Williams took the lead among his fellow strikers, stating he would be outside for eight hours to secure job security, a raise and to be a partner in the profit sharing at GM.

Williams also cited his faith in UAW National Bargaining Committee Chairman Ted Krumm, who is based in Lansing and is a key figure in the negotiations.

“If (Krumm) tells me I need to be here for a month, I’ll be here,” Williams said.

Contact Kristan Obeng at KObeng@lsj.com or 517-267-1344. Follow her on Twitter @KrissyObeng.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to LSJ today.