The Strike At A Glance

Key facts about two strikes against General Motors Corp. in Flint, Mich.:

Why Workers Went On Strike:

Workers at two parts plants were worried about future investment, health and safety and work leaving the plant to outside suppliers. They also feared the company would send their jobs to Mexico or overseas.

What GM Wanted:

The automaker was concerned about what it said were inefficient practices at the plants that were making the company less competitive.

When it Began:

The Flint Metal Center stamping plant went on strike June 5. The Delphi Flint East parts plant went on strike June 11.

The Strike's Effects:

A total of 9,200 workers were on strike. Nearly 200,000 other workers idled. Most of GM's North American production shut down. GM has lost more than $2.2 billion in profits during the strike.

What the Settlement Means:

Though full details won't be released until union leaders meet with workers, the union will keep so-called "pegged rates" at the stamping plant's engine cradle operation. That allows workers to quit early if they reach set production quotas.

The union said other steps will increase plant productivity and that the deal includes plans to prevent strikes by having leaders meet earlier.

The union said the settlement also includes a GM agreement not to sell Delphi Flint East and a brake plants in Dayton, Ohio, before January 2000. The union agreed not to strike either plant.

Workers who were idled by the strike and didn't receive vacation and holiday pay during a scheduled two-week summer shutdown will be reimbursed. The money, from a UAW-GM training fund, will not affect GM's profits.

Ratification Votes:

The deal won't become final until striking workers ratify the agreements at votes Wednesday. Union leaders said ratification was certain.

Other Plants Covered by the Settlement:

There were also labor disagreements at a stamping plant in Indianapolis, two brake plants in Dayton, the Buick City complex in Flint and a GM Powertrain plant in Grand Blanc, near Flint. GM insisted on a settlement that addressed disputes at Dayton and Indianapolis in addition to the two striking Flint plants. The UAW demanded that non-striking Flint plants be included.

When Can GM Start Making Cars Again:

After the ratification votes, it will take at least a week to get assembly plants back in operation, but some could begin production by Friday.