Updated August 26, 2019

With a possible strike looming on September 14,  General Motors workers in Spring Hill have been asked to work 12 hours a day  seven days a week  until further notice.

The sudden, forced overtime, as United Auto Workers Local 1853 called it when it was mandated Thursday , came after the company said it was facing a temporary critical plant status.

In a press release,  the union said a sudden shift in operating plans to 12 hours caught everyone off guard, even suppliers, which knew nothing of this knee-jerk reaction by management.

The company would have to notify workers of a critical plant status 15 days before enforcing it, according to the 2015 collective bargaining agreement.

In the release, the union members said to go from a layoff of 91 temps and very little overtime to working forced 12-hour shifts to cover needs  has caused our union to suffer from whiplash. It is very clear that we are in a contract year and September 14 is quickly approaching.

UAW Local 1853 Chairman Mike Herron said he has no problem with people working all the hours they want  voluntarily, but mandatory without prior notice is a problem.