Tentative Deal Reaction From Strikers

THREE RIVERS (NEWCHANNEL 3) - A tentative deal has been struck between American Axle and the United Auto Workers. Now, it's up to those workers to approve it.

The details of the deal will be presented to workers at the American Axle plant in Three Rivers at a meeting Sunday afternoon at Three Rivers High School. They then will vote on whether or not to approve the deal on Monday.

The Union and American Axle both confirm this tentative deal. But at least in Three Rivers, the picketers remain at their strike posts and have instructions to stay here. This Saturday the picket lines appeared no different than the day the strike began.

"We're still hoping for something decent," said striking UAW member, Larry Pletcher.

But what has changed for Pletcher is he'll soon know. The 28 year-veteran will learn Sunday just what's in the potential new union contract.

"Never thought it would go on this long, it's been definitely difficult for everyone," said Pletcher.

"There's going to be a lot of people leaving down here, I'm sure as they're going to take the buyout and go," said striking UAW member, Ronald Presser.

But many of the workers have heard just rumors. They believe American Axle will offer lower wages and a combination of buyouts and buydowns. They've also heard employees here will face deeper cuts than in Detroit.

"We feel we work just as hard here as they do in Detroit, doing the same work, we ought to get the same pay," said Presser.

Presser's a few years away from retirement, but expects others his age to get out now.

"If I had been here from 80 until now, I'd probably just be waiting for them to hand me a check and get out of here too you know," said Presser.

Pletcher's one of those to work at the plant that long but he told Newschannel 3 at this point, he's just waiting for Sunday's meeting

"If there's some sort of offer made for retirement, I would leave, yeah, but we'll just have to wait and see," said Pletcher.

These workers will vote on the new contract Monday at the Union Hall. But they're not sure when they could be back inside the plant working.