Commercial Roofing Contractors in Carrollton, TX

Workers at a Stellantis distribution center in Carrollton joined a nationwide strike demanding increased wages, enhanced job security and improved conditions for temporary workers.

Employees at a General Motors parts distribution center in Roanoke and another at a Stellantis distribution center in Carrollton are the latest to join the strike against the major companies.

These workers are uniting with approximately 12,700 of their fellow colleagues across three assembly plants situated in Missouri, Ohio and Michigan, broadening the scope of a strike that was initiated over a week ago. The strike expanded to encompass workers at 38 different locations spanning across 20 states, primarily in distribution centers.

“This will impact these two companies’ repair operations,” United Auto Workers union president Shawn Fain said during a Facebook live video. “Our message to the consumer is simple. The way to fix the frustrating customer experience is for the companies to end price gouging — invest these record profits into stable jobs and sustainable wages and benefits.”

According to AP, only 12% of the union's membership is participating in the strike. The UAW possesses the potential to significantly increase the number of workers involved in the strike, potentially affecting assembly plants and parts facilities operated by General Motors, Ford and Stellantis.

One of the central points under discussion in the negotiations revolves around the need for increased wages, bolstered job security, fair treatment of temporary workers and the elimination of the existing "tier-based" pay systems within these companies. Fain expressed optimism in the live video, noting that there has been some headway regarding tiered wages. However, he also emphasized that achieving a resolution will require substantial effort and pressure on the part of both GM and Stellantis.

On Sept. 15, 2023, General Motors released a statement about the initiation of the strike at the first three assembly plants.

“We are disappointed by the UAW leadership’s actions, despite the unprecedented economic package GM put on the table, including historic wage increases and manufacturing commitments,” the statement said. “We will continue to bargain in good faith with the union to reach an agreement as quickly as possible for the benefit of our team members, customers, suppliers and communities across the U.S.”

President Joe Biden showed support for those participating in the strike and will join the workers against the automakers. He is set to arrive in Michigan on Sept. 26, days before Donald Trump is set to give his own speech in Michigan.

On day twelve of the auto workers' strike North Texas auto workers organized a caravan and rally, joining forces with those demanding change.

The group gathered at the Chrysler Parts Distribution Center off East Belt Line Road in Carrollton. Organizers told NBC 5 they want to apply pressure for their demands.

In red shirts, with signs and bullhorns, their chants Tuesday night were loud and clear.

Workers for GM, Ford and Stellantis are demanding a 40% pay raise over four years, among other demands, including restoration of traditional pension plans for newer workers, and a 32-hour work week for 40 hours of pay.

Organizer Pauline Mims is the Labor Council UAW representative for Tarrant County and works at the GM plant in Arlington. She's been with the company for more than 20 years and said a lot was sacrificed around the time of the 2008 auto industry bailout. Mims said it’s now time to reap the reward of years of hard work.

“Mortgages have gone up, everything has gone up, and yet our pay has stayed stagnant,” Mims said. “The companies have continued to make money and grow, and yet leave us paycheck-to-paycheck. At one point it was a great job to have, and now currently it's just a job.”

GM, Ford and Stellantis have been responsive throughout the entire process. Each company released recent statements that read in part:

GM said it has presented five record proposals, saying in part, “Our focus is not on politics but continues to be on bargaining in good faith with the UAW leadership to reach an agreement as quickly as possible.”

Ford, in a statement, said they are going to be the ones to “solve this by finding creative solutions to tough issues together at the bargaining table.”

For its part, Stellantis pointed it its track record, saying it has offered wage increases that top 20% and "requires a balanced agreement that fairly rewards its workforce without significantly disadvantaging the company.”

The companies have said they must be able to continue to invest profits in a costly transition from gas-powered cars to electric vehicles.

Economists say the strike has already exceeded $1.6 billion in economic impact.

"In negotiations, you're going to reach a little bit," said J. Carlos Martinez, a professor at Dallas College and economist with Crescent Securities Group, Inc. "So, I would probably say the 32-hour workweek is probably off the table, I would think, resuming the pension for new employees probably off the table. But wage increase and cost of living, I think are on the table."

The builders of a transit-oriented development in Carrollton have broken ground for a major apartment community

The Trinity Mills Station development is a 25-acre mixed-use project being built near the southeast corner of Interstate 35E and Bush Turnpike. It’s done in a partnership involving the city of Carrollton, Dallas Area Rapid Transit, Koa Partners, Artemis Real Estate Partners and The Integral Group.

Atlanta-based Integral Group is developing the 436-unit apartment portion of the project, being built just east of DART’s Green Line commuter station. The Eviva Trinity Mills apartments are scheduled to open in November 2025.

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“As the developer, The Integral Group is proud to spearhead Eviva Trinity Mills, a project that exemplifies our dedication to creating exceptional, sustainable communities,” Egbert Perry, chairman of The Integral Group, said in a statement. “Our extensive experience and expertise will guide us as we deliver another transformative development that integrates seamlessly into the fabric of the city of Carrollton, providing residents with a vibrant and inclusive living experience.”

Along with the five-story apartment community, Carrollton’s Trinity Mills Station will also include a public plaza, an office building and the option of a hotel building. JHP Architecture designed the apartment buildings.

Construction started on Trinity Mills Station in 2021, with the building of a 3-acre public esplanade through the project.

“Trinity Mills Station is the largest publicly owned transit-oriented development site in North Texas and the most connected,” Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick said in a statement. “It is also the only transfer hub in the D-FW Metroplex connecting the Denton County Transportation Authority A-Train commuter service to Denton and the DART Green Line light rail service to Dallas.”

A 125,000-square-foot, six-story office building and about 10,000 square feet of retail space are also planned in the initial phases of the project.

Irving-based Koa Partners is developing the office building.

“Together with our partners, we are dedicated to making this vision a reality and creating a lasting positive impact for years to come,” Koa Partners’ Harry Lake said.

Apartment builder Integral has been in business since 1993 and has built apartments in markets stretching from Baltimore to San Francisco.

Carrollton's sprawling Koreatown has so much to do and eat, you could go there every night for weeks without repeating a spot.

Here are some ways to spend your time there…

Dip into a food coma. Try Korean Street Eats or any of the fried chicken spots for a quick bite, but Korean barbecue restaurants like Omi Korean Grill & Bar and Gen Korean BBQ House are the way to go if you've got a big appetite.

Take a sip. Options include Cafe Mozart Bakery, 7 Leaves Cafe and roughly 4 billion boba shops.

Find some deals. Stock up on Asian groceries and household items at H Mart, 99 Ranch or Daiso. If you're into books and stationery, browse the Kinokuniya Bookstore.

Sing your heart out. There are several karaoke bars in this part of town. Stephanie Drenka, co-founder of the Dallas Asian American Historical Society recommends City Night KTV.

Satiate your sweet tooth. We can't possibly capture everything in this category, but Mango Mango Dessert, SomiSomi soft serve, Snow City Shaved Ice Cafe and T-swirl Crêpe all have shareable options.

The City of Carrollton and its partners have broken ground on Eviva Trinity Mills, a mixed-use project going up at Trinity Mills Station, the train station that serves DART Light Rail's Green Line as well as Denton County's A-train commuter rail line.

Eviva will be a five-story mixed-use blend of residential, retail, and restaurant spaces, with more than 430 multi-family units and live/work spaces.

According to a release, it's part of the Trinity Mills Transit District, a 25-acre Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) made possible through a public/private partnership between the City of Carrollton, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), The Integral Group developers, and Koa Partners.

In a statement, Carrollton Urban Development Director Ravi Shah calls it a monumental milestone.

"The first milestone was the approval in April 2020 for a 125,000-square foot, six-story class A office structure to serve as the marquee building within the new development," Shah says. "The second was the three-acre green park esplanade."

That esplanade is now complete. It runs the length of the property and creates an area between the office buildings on the north side of the development, and Eviva, which will be located to the south.

Eviva is part of a plan by Carrollton and DART to create a sustainable mixed-use district with residential, office, and retail, along with a central public space that features pedestrian amenities and supports transit ridership.

They expect that it will eventually grow from Phase 1 - which is a 25-acre TOD - to a 300-acre hub.

Carrollton mayor Steve Babick calls Trinity Mills Station "the largest publicly owned transit-oriented development site in North Texas and the most connected."

"It is also the only transfer hub connecting the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) A-Train commuter service to Denton and the DART Green Line light rail service to Dallas," Babick says.

Babick says that its location - at the southeast quadrant of the President George Bush Turnpike and IH-35E interchange - could make it a gateway to Carrollton for not only the east-west traffic from PGBT, but also north-south commuters from IH-35E.

Highway and rail connections to Dallas Love Field and DFW International Airports can be made within 20 minutes, and DART’s Silver Line Regional Rail will be one stop away when completed in late 2025 to mid-2026.