A strike at one of General Motors’ key axle suppliers is beginning to put real pressure on the company’s lucrative pickup truck business, with contract negotiations currently at a standstill.

Around 1,000 members of the United Auto Workers (UAW) walked out of Dauch Corp’s axle plant in Three Rivers, Michigan, on Sunday, and union representatives say the company has yet to return to the bargaining table. The union submitted a new contract proposal shortly before the strike began and is now waiting for a response.

The dispute centres on wages, healthcare and work-life balance. According to local bargaining chairman Josh Jager, workers accepted concessions during the financial crisis in 2008 and have seen only modest gains since then. Top hourly pay at the plant currently stands at around $22, while the union is pushing for rates above $30.

The Three Rivers facility plays a crucial role in GM’s truck operations, supplying axles for heavy-duty pickups built in Flint, Michigan, as well as midsize trucks and commercial vans produced in Wentzville, Missouri.

While GM says production remains unaffected for now, union officials estimate the automaker has roughly two weeks’ worth of axle inventory before shortages could begin disrupting assembly lines.

UAW President Shawn Fain said workers are determined to secure a better deal, while Dauch has described the strike as disappointing and insists it remains committed to negotiating in good faith.

For now, picket lines remain active, talks remain frozen and the clock is ticking on a dispute that could soon have consequences far beyond a single Michigan factory.