Strike force

摘要

America's biggest carmaker is in the grip of the longest industrial action it has suffered in decades. In 1970 a crippling strike called at General Motors by the United Auto Workers (uaw), the industry's main labour union, dragged on for 67 days. On September 16th uaw workers at its plants across North America once again walked out. Their chief gripes include gm's use of temporary workers, health-care benefits and product allocation at various plants. Although the company is highly profitable, its boss, Mary Barra, intends to reduce costs dramatically in order to invest more in electric vehicles. A sudden breakthrough is possible even in such heated negotiations. But as The Economist went to press on October 10th, the strike looked poised to reach the one-month mark.