By that time Zasada controlled two utility car factories and several automotive parts plants.
The dispute has led to walkouts at two parts plants here.
Now American car makers are showing willingness to deal with Japanese parts plants here.
He said he had been on the street for about nine months since losing his job at an electrical parts plant.
The rate at motor vehicle and parts plants was down 1.2 percentage points last month, to 84.9 percent.
Bodine is negotiating to buy 50 acres of land for the parts plant.
The April advance was led by the second steep monthly increase at car, truck and automotive parts plants.
But their retail sales haven't been high enough to cover the enormous cost of operating 32 North American assembly lines and associated parts plants.
The strike also affected dozens of other parts plants and suppliers.
But he said it was time that someone pointed out that they were making much more than their counterparts in other parts plants.