Community Gives Back To American Axle Workers

THREE RIVERS (Newschannel 3) - It's day six of the strike at American Axle in Three Rivers, a strike that's already having an impact on the area.

The strike was fueled by proposed cuts in worker wages and in benefits. Nearly 800 workers would be affected by the cuts at the factory in Three Rivers alone.

The workers say they won't stand for those cuts, and now their neighbors and friends are backing them up.

Now area businesses are showing their support for the workers as well, by donating food and supplies, even giving rides for the workers to and from the picket line.

Employees at Hoffman Street Grocery say that since the strike started, plant employees are no longer coming in on a daily basis. So instead, the store's giving back, providing the strikers with bottled water and even fried chicken.

"We just want to help and take care of our people," said Anne Massengill, who works at Hoffman Street.

Frankie's Restaurant, another local business, has also chipped in with pizzas to feed the picketers.

"They've got a lot of workers over there, lot of good guys, a lot of families," said Owner Jay Woehrmyer.

And a few of the local auto dealers are lending their vans so the union can shuttle workers to and from the picket line.

But that's just the help from businesses. One retiree stopped at the union hall with 12 boxes of baked goods.

"We have people just stopping at the picket lines, dropping off donuts, pizza, cookies," said UAW Local 2093 President Erv Heidbrink.

Other volunteers are bringing donations right up to the picket lines.

"I heard of some old ladies bringing cookies for them, cakes," said Woehrmyer.

And all those donations are a way for the community to show their gratitude for what the plant brings to Three Rivers.

"There's a lot of jobs there, 700 some people employed, it means a big deal, if it goes under, it's going to hurt everyone in this town," said Sandy Gentry, who works at Hoffman Street Grocery.

While production at the plant remains at a standstill, the union is taking all the donations and stockpiling them for a potentially long strike.

And those donations may come in handy, as the workers will soon see a real difference in their paychecks. Before the strike, the average pay was between $20 and $24 per hour. During the strike, the union only pays them $200 a week.