Local officials hope GM strike is short

LORDSTOWN — A prolonged strike by United Auto Workers would be a devastating blow to the Mahoning Valley’s struggling economy, local mayors and labor union officials say.

The mayors and union officials hope for a quick resolution and a short strike at the General Motors plant in Lordstown. The plant, with about 3,600 employees, is the Valley’s largest industrial employer.

“If it’s a long strike, you never know what the collateral damage will be,” said Lordstown Mayor Michael Chaffee. “Short-term is what we’re looking for. This afternoon [for a settlement] would be great.”

UAW workers, about 73,000 in total, walked off the job today at 82 U.S. facilities.

“As mayor, I fully appreciate the importance of Lordstown to our family, our community and our economic well-being,” said Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien. “It not only affects Warren as a municipal government, but it also affects every business in our community.”

Don Crane, president of the Western Reserve Building and Construction Trades Council, said it’s unfortunate that the UAW and GM officials couldn’t iron out a final resolution at the bargaining table.

“Given the economic climate in the Valley and the job market, this is not good for us,” said Crane, whose council represents 5,000 members of 14 different unions in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties.

“It’s a shame that it had to come to this. Hopefully we can come out of it. A long strike could have a huge economic impact on the Valley.”

For the complete story, read Tuesday’s Vindicator or vindy.com