Strike fallout spreading to key GM vehicle plants.

A snippet:

GM confirmed Thursday that the strike will force it to idle the Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant after today’s lone shift, and a local union president in Lordstown, Ohio, said Thursday that his complex will be shut down on April 4.
Previously, the strike had affected only plants that assemble or supply parts for slow-selling pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles.
But GM spokesman Dan Flores said Thursday the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which makes the Buick Lucerne and Cadillac DTS sedans, is nearing the end of its parts supply from American Axle.

Here’s also the Detroit Free Press report on line.

A snippet:

The strike sends 3,650 American Axle workers in Michigan and New York to the picket lines and threatens to snarl truck production at General Motors Corp., the parts maker’s largest customer.

Autoworkers who have GM connections may as well buckle in their seat belts for another rough ride on the job roller coaster, no matter what supplier or factory they are based at.

Ford employees – are you ready for your turn on the roller coaster?

Any of you who work for a Chrysler supplier, or who were already off this week because of the Chrysler production slowdown, should be working on damage control for household finances.

Feel free to e-mail me at paula@monroenews.com with anything I should be posting on this blog or printing in the Community Page at The Monroe Evening News in regards to how Monroe County families can get through this situation. Previous posts on this blog have included job fairs, discounts for unemployed workers, a prayer service for unemployed workers, free family fun events and money-saving tips on a variety of topics.

Discussion thread has started at MonroeTalks.com

One of the MonroeTalkers on the Autoworker Layoff thread says her family is considering the time off with unemployment checks as a paid vacation for their factory worker. Well, I suppose that’s one way to look at it.

But I hope all of you who are affected by the shutdown, whether at Chrysler or one of its suppliers, filed for unemployment benefits yesterday. If not, you’ll want to take care of that paperwork today. The UAW still has a deadline posted for 11 a.m. Wednesday on a strike notice. (See Detroit News story.)

Now this headline breaks: UAW sets deadline for Chrysler at Detroit News and UAW sets Wednesday strike deadline in Chrysler talks at Detroit Free Press.

From the Free Press article:

It is not unusual for the autoworkers’ union to set a deadline as a way to bring discussions to a conclusion.

Follow-up discussion is taking place in the “Autoworker layoff” thread at MonroeTalks.com.

Now, remember, those of you who were off work for two days have to adjust your bills and spending accordingly when that paycheck arrives.

Don’t feel that you wasted time making the phone calls and Internet research on my to-do lists from the other day … because many financial need-based programs and services require an application period or waiting time before you get the benefits. By the time that assistance money could arrive in your checkbook, your bills would be piling up.

If you are out of work or your child support will be held up because of the United Auto Workers strike, here are more household expenses you need to review today.

Internet: I’m surprised as to how many financial experts urge people to drop the Internet plan when finances are tight. That’s just too useful of a technology for tasks such as applying for college financial aid, searching for jobs, on-line banking and researching prices. But you might be able to pay less for Internet service if you change over to a slower connection. Find out. (Yes, the kids will notice a difference in game speed. But when money is tight, Internet is a utility, not entertainment.)

School expenses: Hopefully, any private school or college tuition bill has already been paid for the semester or the school year. If so, congratulate yourself and assure the kids they will stay put for the near future. But if you’re on a monthly payment plan, contact your school’s financial aid office immediately to find out what your options are. And if you have children who are in grades 1-12, find out if you qualify for free or reduced-priced lunches and fill out that application immediately. The free and reduced-price lunch application packets will be available at the superintendent’s office.

Day care / child care: This is a huge expense for young families. If you’re not working, there’s no need to take the children to day care. However, my younger sisters have told me that some day care facilities require a minimum number of paid hours a week in order to hold a spot open for a child. Find out if that applies to you.

Health care: From what I’ve read in the news, UAW members have access to some, but not all, of their medical benefits while on strike. If you’ve got a dentist or eye doctor appointment coming up, I would reschedule that visit for a more appropriate time.

Groceries: Yes, it will take more time to shop and plan meals when you are purchasing food with grocery coupons and searching for sale items, rather than filling the cart with whatever looks good. So if the kids are more of a hindrance than a help at the grocery store, find a babysitter for the kids the next time you go shopping; or break up that chore with quick stops at two or three stores during the week.

Accessing the investment accounts, home equity, etc.: What are the logistics involved if you have to pull cash out of one of your investment or retirement accounts? Do you understand the deadlines and tax implications?