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Both GM shifts will return for one week

JANESVILLE — An increased availability of axles will break a production pattern at the General Motors assembly plant in Janesville and put both shifts to work the week of May 26.

GM previously announced that a parts shortage created by the United Auto Workers strike against American Axle would mean first-shift production only for the three-day work week following the Memorial Day holiday. Second-shift workers were scheduled for layoff that week.

But GM is now saying both shifts will work that week.

The schedule, however, hasn’t changed for next week, when neither shift will produce full-size sport utility vehicles. The schedule for the week of June 2 has not been determined.

While laid off, employees are eligible for union-negotiated supplemental pay as well as state unemployment benefits, providing them the majority of their weekly take-home pay.

American Axle supplies GM plants with axles, drive shafts, stabilizer bars and other parts.

More than 3,600 UAW members struck the company on Feb. 26 over a company plan to cut wages and benefits.

GM’s plant in Janesville was first affected during the week of March 10, when both shifts worked half time. With the exception of some previously scheduled down time, local production has been about 50 percent of normal because of the American Axle strike.