MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee’s Department of Public Works says supply chain issues have already delayed much-needed vehicle repairs - and the United Auto Workers strike could make it worse.
The issue is the city is already experiencing delays in getting new vehicles, like Milwaukee police squad cars and parts. It started during the COVID-19 pandemic, and now wait times are at least a year. Milwaukee budget director Nik Kovac says the city has a plan.
"We are in the 2024 budget making a bigger investment in fleet than we have in the past several years,” said Kovac. "If there is a delay in getting those vehicles, the effect of that investment, there will be a lag until we see it. But you have to budget for them first, then buy them and then get them."
He says older vehicles mean more repairs. During a budget hearing, DPW said in its presentation, “Parts constraints are delaying repairs. Some parts are on national backorder, without expected dates. The recent action by the United Auto Workers (UAW) may worsen the situation.”
It went on to say chassis for plow and dump trucks have been on backorder since 2022. There are also 48 Milwaukee Police squad cars that have also been ordered since 2022 and have yet to arrive.
The Wisconsin Automobile and Truck Dealers Assocation Bill Sepic says this is an industry-wide problem.
"This as if we haven't already experienced...supply chain issues. We also have ship issues. And now we're going to be running into further complications in manufacturing,” said Sepic.
Friday, the UAW President Shawn Fain announced the union would not expand the strike, but it also was not over.
"Our strike is working, but we aren't there yet,” said Fain.
City leaders say even if the strike causes more delays in getting plow truck parts or police vehicles, they do not expect the public to be affected.
“If it takes us longer to get new trucks, we have to make sure the old trucks are still working,” said Kovac. “Even if it takes us a few months longer to get the trucks because of global supply issues, we are still making the investment, so long term, citizens can still expect great service from Department of Public Works."
As the city looks to increase its fleet vehicle purchases, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic says they will be increasing the number of electric vehicles wherever they can. The first place people might see them are in the vehicles for parking checkers.
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