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Throwback: Indianapolis General Motors employees go on strike in 2007

Posted at 6:48 AM, Sep 21, 2017
and last updated 2017-09-21 07:02:39-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Ten years ago this Sunday, members of the United Auto Workers union at the General Motors Indianapolis Metal Center joined a nationwide strike against the company.  

It was the first nationwide strike against GM since 1970.  At the time, local union members expressed concerns over pay, health care and job stability. 

"I think there are some issues about job security, job protection, security, seniority -- there are all kinds of issues out there," one man said. 

While the two-day strike was short, its effect on the Indianapolis plant was permanent. The tentative agreement from General Motors included a provision allowing GM to close the Indianapolis Metals Plant by the end of 2011. GM filed for bankruptcy in June of 2009 and simultaneously announced it would close 11 facilities, including the Indianapolis Metal Center.

Over the years, numerous attempts to redevelop the plant site have failed. In May, Ambrose Property Group was selected to redevelop the site with work expected to begin in early 2018.

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For more information on the 2007 strike and how it ended, click the video player above.

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