UAW members nervous but stoic over GM strike

By Nick Carey

DETROIT (Reuters) - Members of the United Auto Workers union at General Motors Corp reacted with a mixture of nervousness, surprise and stoicism on Monday after their union called a strike against the top U.S. automaker.

"Right now I don't feel like we need this strike," Bernie Devold, 55, said outside UAW Local 22 headquarters in Detroit. "This is going to hurt us and it's going to hurt GM."

UAW Local 22 represents more than 1,800 workers who make a Buick and a Cadillac model.

Within minutes of an 11 a.m. EDT strike deadline set by the union, cars streamed into the parking lot of the Local 22 as members came to collect their picket assignments.

The union set a deadline late Sunday night when negotiators from both sides failed to reach an agreement on a new contract that would replace a 4-year deal on wages and benefits that expired on September 14.

"I'm nervous, man," said Khader Marzouq, 53, a 33-year GM veteran. "I have three kids in college and bills to pay, but if GM is playing hard ball, I guess we have to go out."

Aleasa Petross-Smith, 56, a GM worker for 28 years said: "We have given up plenty for GM, now they can give something up for us. I'm behind the union 100 percent."

In Lansing, Michigan, about two dozen workers picketed at a gate of GM's Lansing Grand River plant where three Cadillac models are made. Shop committeeman Mike Green said all gates on public property were covered by pickets.

"We are here to support the international union and whatever they need," he said.

The workers carried plain placards that read "UAW on strike." As in Detroit, they said they were hopeful the strike would be over soon.

"I don't think we will be out too long, but you never know," said Benjamin Fomby, 54. He said he would like to work at least until the age of 55.

Keith Jackson, a veteran of three strikes after 34 years with GM, said "the stakes are high for both sides.

"This is the last thing anyone out here wanted to do."

The GM strike was the latest blow for an embattled U.S. industry that has seen Detroit-based automakers -- General Motors, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC -- cut more than 80,000 union jobs after losing a combined $15 billion in 2006.

In Michigan, GM's blue-collar home state, unemployment is 7.2 percent, the highest in the nation. Home foreclosures in Detroit, where GM has its headquarters, are running at five times the national average.