TOWN OF TONAWANDA, N.Y. (WKBW) — As GM workers wait for their new deal to be signed, the effects of the five-week strike are now being in repair shops and among those attempting to get their cars fixed. Susan Palumbo's 2019 Chevy Trax has sat in the repair shop for almost a month.
"And it's getting delayed due to parts that are needed because of a strike," said Palumbo.
"We disassembled it, ordered the 32 parts that were needed to fix it, and we got 15 of them," said Jeffrey Mucciarelli, the owner of Gabe's Collision. Palumbo's car is sitting in the lot at the North location. "The trickle down effect from this whole GM union strike is affecting all of us down the road."
Mucciarelli said he can't get all the parts to repair their vehicles because of the GM strike that began in mid-September.
"They haven't even begun the repairs because of the delay and the strike," said Palumbo.
It's an $11,000 repair job that Mucciarelli said would normally take about two weeks.
"But unfortunately now we're on 23 days and they're telling us they just don't know when we're going to be able to get the parts to repair her car," Mucciarelli said.
And after 30 days, Palumbo's insurance will no longer pay for her rental car, shifting that cost to her in addition to paying a lease on a car she can't drive.
"That's outrageous. That's why I'm here. Because that's my vehicle, plus I'm paying on the vehicle that I don't have because I have to make my monthly payment," said Palumbo.
Jim Cain is a senior manager for General Motors sales and executive communications.
"One of the really unfortunate aspects of this strike is its had a very serious impact on the supply of repair parts. We just haven't been able to ship parts from our warehouse and distribution centers around the country," said Cain.
But help for Palumbo may be around the corner. After 7 Eyewitness News explained Palumbo's situation to Cain he told us GM is stepping in to help.
"I want my car back," said Palumbo.
