Union authorizes strike against Delphi

5/16/2006

DETROIT United Auto Workers members have voted to authorize a strike against auto parts supplier Delphi Corp., adding a new threat to already tense negotiations between the two sides and Delphi s former parent, General Motors Corp.

The UAW said today that more than 95 percent of members who voted approved the strike authorization.

UAW members had been expected to approve the measure, which allows the international union to call a strike against Delphi if it feels one is necessary as the two sides bargain over wages. UAW locals were required to complete voting by Sunday.

The UAW is by far the largest of Delphi s six unions, representing 24,000 of the company s 33,000 U.S. hourly workers. The International Union of Electronic Workers-Communications Workers of America, which represents 8,000 workers, also has voted to authorize a strike.

Delphi was once part of GM, the world s biggest automaker, and remains a major GM supplier.

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