UAW Striker Hit and Killed Walking Picket Line
A General Motors worker was struck by a car and killed this morning while picketing during the strike near the automaker's Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee.
According to reports Roy A. McCombs was on a bridge outside the plant when he was struck by a driver. He was pronounced dead at a area hospital. The driver is working with authorities on the accident. Witnesses say the accident occurred at around 6am when it was still quite dark in a area that is away from the gates to the plant.
Today Local 1853 members at Spring Hill voted against the contract with skilled trades and production votes combined, according to unofficial results on the local's website. The skilled trades members alone approved the deal 55% to 45% while production members voted it down 51% to 49%.
General Motors has issued a statement in regards to the tragedy saying, "We are deeply saddened to confirm an employee death occurred this morning from a vehicle-pedestrian accident on a public road near GM’s Spring Hill Assembly Plant’s South entrance. We offer our thoughts and prayers to the employee’s family and all who are impacted by this tragedy. General Motors is committed to employee safety and plant leadership is working closely with authorities to investigate and understand what happened."
There is no information on McComb's age or how long he has been employed with GM and a UAW member. The strike is now in it's fifth week.