Published: June 03, 2008 01:19 am            

DELPHI: Laid-off workers to get callbacks

Laid-off workers are heading back to work at Delphi Thermal Systems in Lockport, as a result of the ending of the strike at American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc.

All recalls related to the strike should be completed by next week, said Claudia Piccinin, a Delphi spokeswoman.

Originally, 190 workers were laid off at Delphi in Lockport in March. Piccinin said the laid-off number got as high as 400 in Lockport, and most should be returning to work soon.

“We expect those returning to be in full force by next week,” she said.

Piccinin said it’s not uncommon to see the number of temporary layoffs fluctuate, because it is related to customer demand. Customer base will also have an effect of how many will return to work. Returning workers will not see a cut in pay or any other changes, she said.

UAW Local 686 Unit 1 president Gordie Fletcher also said the majority of the laid off workers would be returning. He also confirmed the callbacks are related to the end of the American Axle strike.

“Their people returned, and then it brings our people back,” he said.

Both American Axle and Delphi supply auto parts to GM plants.

The layoffs started in March and were announced, at the time, to be temporary until the strike was settled. UAW workers went on strike Feb. 26 before reaching an agreement with American Axle May 22.

Contact reporter Joe Olenick

at 439-9222, ext. 6241.

        

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