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The UAW* said today that workers at Autokiniton (formerly Jaytec, Inc.) in Milan, Michigan voted by a massive 92% in a National Labor Relations Board election to form their union with UAW. The final vote count was 136-12. Workers at the Milan Autokiniton plant build parts for several major automakers including Ford, Honda, and Toyota.
“The main reason I wanted to unionize is our wages,” said Randy Struble, a member of the Workers Volunteer Organizing Committee. “I worked at American Axle in 2006 making $25/hour. I do the same job now at Autokiniton for $23/hour. I have not had a raise since September 2022. When someone quits or gets fired, they don’t replace them. They just put the work on the remaining workers.”
“Autokiniton workers won their union election with 92% of the vote. It is clear from this overwhelming majority that they are ready for change — they are tired of the disrespect from management, low wages, and unpredictable schedules,” said UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli. “They are ready to fight for the fair treatment and fair contract they deserve. I congratulate each and every Autokiniton worker on their victory. Welcome to the UAW.”
An Indeed** Review said: “While I cannot speak for any other L&W facilities, Jaytec- Milan is one of the worst! While it may be alright for someone just out of high school. I would not recommend it to anyone with higher education or a great deal of work experience. If you decide to work here, here’s what you can expect: long hours (60-70 hours per week) Low pay for the work that’s required (Average is: $12:00 per hour depending upon which department you work in. The only positive thing about this place is that they do have decent health benefits here. So, if you decide to work just keep in mind that they will work you a lot! One final point to consider: Upper management seems to lack any kind of ethics, they will do whatever it takes to ship product out the door! Good, bad or otherwise.”
“Workers in the supply chain are a vital part of the auto industry but are paid well below their counterparts at assembly plants. They often face dangerous working conditions, excessive overtime, and a shocking lack of respect and professionalism from management,” the UAW said in a release.
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About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Autokiniton Workers in Milan, Michigan Vote to Join the UAW
Click for more.
The UAW* said today that workers at Autokiniton (formerly Jaytec, Inc.) in Milan, Michigan voted by a massive 92% in a National Labor Relations Board election to form their union with UAW. The final vote count was 136-12. Workers at the Milan Autokiniton plant build parts for several major automakers including Ford, Honda, and Toyota.
“The main reason I wanted to unionize is our wages,” said Randy Struble, a member of the Workers Volunteer Organizing Committee. “I worked at American Axle in 2006 making $25/hour. I do the same job now at Autokiniton for $23/hour. I have not had a raise since September 2022. When someone quits or gets fired, they don’t replace them. They just put the work on the remaining workers.”
“Autokiniton workers won their union election with 92% of the vote. It is clear from this overwhelming majority that they are ready for change — they are tired of the disrespect from management, low wages, and unpredictable schedules,” said UAW Region 1A Director Mark DePaoli. “They are ready to fight for the fair treatment and fair contract they deserve. I congratulate each and every Autokiniton worker on their victory. Welcome to the UAW.”
An Indeed** Review said: “While I cannot speak for any other L&W facilities, Jaytec- Milan is one of the worst! While it may be alright for someone just out of high school. I would not recommend it to anyone with higher education or a great deal of work experience. If you decide to work here, here’s what you can expect: long hours (60-70 hours per week) Low pay for the work that’s required (Average is: $12:00 per hour depending upon which department you work in. The only positive thing about this place is that they do have decent health benefits here. So, if you decide to work just keep in mind that they will work you a lot! One final point to consider: Upper management seems to lack any kind of ethics, they will do whatever it takes to ship product out the door! Good, bad or otherwise.”
“Workers in the supply chain are a vital part of the auto industry but are paid well below their counterparts at assembly plants. They often face dangerous working conditions, excessive overtime, and a shocking lack of respect and professionalism from management,” the UAW said in a release.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.