American Axle and Manufacturing, the auto parts maker, is trying to force an end to the industry?s longest strike in a decade by calling back laid-off employees, advertising for replacement workers and threatening to move production out of the United States. Meanwhile, American Axle is feeling increasing pressure to end the month-long strike from its largest customer, the General Motors Corporation, which temporarily closed its Detroit sedan plant on Monday and is expected to close its sedan plant in Lordstown, Ohio, later this week after running out of some parts. Until now, the strike had only affected production of slower-selling pickups and sport-utility vehicles, but analysts say halting production of cars like the compact Chevrolet Cobalt, which is built in Lordstown, could quickly hurt GM?s sales.
See "G.M. Closes Car Plant; Parts Maker Tries to Push U.A.W.", Nick Bunkley, The New York Times, March 30, 2008