C8 Corvette Production at Risk as Plant Workers Reject Labor Contract

Chevrolet Corvette plant workers overwhelmingly reject latest local labor contract increasing the possibility of a strike.

The greatness of the C8 Corvette can only be matched by the production impediments it has faced ever since launch. A global pandemic, a nationwide UAW strike, and supply chain issues all slowed the output of the American sports car. In addition, even Mother Nature got into the act by smacking the Bowling Green plant with a tornado destroying dozens of new Corvettes. It is almost comical at this point. To steal an album title from Michael Nesmith, And the Hits Just Keep on Comin’. Because now we get word from the Bowling Green Daily News that the Corvette plant workers rejected the latest local labor contract offer. While this does not necessarily mean that a strike is imminent, a strike authorization has been approved.

The labor problems are between the members of UAW Local 2164 and the Corvette plant management. Management put forth a new local contract offer last week but Local 2164 strongly opposed it. 98 percent of the plant’s production workers and 97 percent of its skilled trades workers voted to reject it as it didn’t address many of the demands being made by the union leadership. “We pretty much knew what the outcome would be,” said Jason Watson, shop chairman for Local 2164. “It’s disappointing that the company doesn’t take into consideration what the hourly workers are asking for in improvements.”

Local 2164 Demands

The previous contract between GM and Local 2164 expired two years ago. So, the 1,000+ members have been working without a contract for some time now. The local union is asking management to commit to using UAW members for contracted tasks like 3-D printing, maintenance work and striping. A major concern right now is the outsourcing of work to non-union workers. Many of the workers at the Corvette plant were transferred there after other GM plants closed or were downsized. That makes the workers there especially weary of outsourced work. “Over the last 20 years all GM has pushed for and achieved in most cases is for a third party to do our work at a lower wage.” Said Local 2164 President Brian Ferrett. The union also has expressed concerns over sanitation and health and safety.

Plant Management Side

The Corvette plant’s management has issued a statement of their own which said: “We are disappointed that UAW Local 2164 voted down the local contract. We will continue to meet with the local union to understand the vote and will continue to negotiate. Our goal is to reach an agreement that benefits employees and positions our business to be competitive as we move forward.”

Next Steps

Looking at the bright side of all this, both sides seem willing to continue negotiations on a new labor contract. Hopefully that avoids anything as nasty as a strike and keeps C8 Corvette production moving forward uninterrupted. The car and especially us as enthusiasts have already dealt with enough challenges regarding the C8. GM has a world beating car on its hands. They just need to figure out how to keep making them. A new labor contract that benefits both sides would go a long way towards that goal.

Images: Chevrolet

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