U.A.W. to Change Contracts in Bid to Help Detroit

News Type: Event — Seeded on Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:42 PM EST

Article Source: The New York Times

The United Automobile Workers union said Wednesday that it would make major concessions in its contracts with the three Detroit auto companies to help them lobby Congress for $34 billion in federal aid.

The surprising move by the U.A.W. could be a critical factor in the automakers' bid not only to get government assistance, but also to become competitive with the cost structure of nonunion plants operated by foreign automakers in the United States.

At a news conference in Detroit, the U.A.W.'s president, Ron Gettelfinger, said that his members were willing to sacrifice job security provisions and financing for retiree health care to keep the two most troubled car companies of the Big Three, General Motors and Chrysler, out of bankruptcy.

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Groups: America's Need For Change, Corporate Watchdogs, Corporatism, LeftWing Warriors, Political Analysis, RightsVine
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{"commentId":4284201,"authorDomain":"nearing"}

nearing

Maybe the righties will stop blaming the unions for Detroit's problems now.

Nah, doubtful.

It's a race to the bottom with American Capitalism isn't it? Just like a Monopoly game. I wonder who will end up with Park Avenue.

It's a bet it won't be our Middle Class.

{"commentId":4284201,"threadId":"434217","contentId":"2175459","authorDomain":"nearing"}

2 votes

#1 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:46 PM EST

{"commentId":4284217,"authorDomain":"riddlemedoooo"}

Nancy-400923

Who do they work for?

{"commentId":4284217,"threadId":"434217","contentId":"2175459","authorDomain":"riddlemedoooo"}

1 vote

#2 - Wed Dec 3, 2008 11:49 PM EST

{"commentId":4293620,"authorDomain":"onlywords-6"}

Wordpower

It is not a newsflash that the wages, benefits and pension plans for UAW members are far more elevated than most blue collar trades or jobs. However, the total cost per vehicle to cover these benefits hovers between 1000 & 2000 dollars. When you're paying over $26,000.00 for a mid-size vehicle before prep & taxes, ask yourself where the price is derived from. Here in Canada, dealer cost for a fully equipped Chevy Impala is around, based on ex employees I know, 18-19 thousand dollars. The sticker price is just over 30,000.00 before taxes and prep charges. That has nothing to do with the unions and everything to do with hubris. There is profit and then there is greed.

{"commentId":4293620,"threadId":"434217","contentId":"2175459","authorDomain":"onlywords-6"}

1 vote

#3 - Thu Dec 4, 2008 4:09 PM EST

{"commentId":4301338,"authorDomain":"tasarlai"}

Jeremiah Johnson

The UAW should start by okaying pay cuts of 50% across the board. Then, perhaps, I might call my congressman and senator and tell them maybe, just maybe I will approve of their vote to loan these crooks some taxpayer dollars ... at the same rate I am paying, of course... 18.979% interest

{"commentId":4301338,"threadId":"434217","contentId":"2175459","authorDomain":"tasarlai"}

#4 - Fri Dec 5, 2008 8:42 AM EST

{"commentId":4382643,"authorDomain":"riddlemedoooo"}

Nancy-400923

Kinda funny to me, the big 3 are some of the multi-national corporations that support open borders and aid and abet illegal aliens who break our laws by coming across our borders without permission. Seems there is more to this than meets the eye. Perhaps they plan to break our gov. banks and let mexico ride in on it's white horse to save the day...of course there WILL be requirements....

{"commentId":4382643,"threadId":"434217","contentId":"2175459","authorDomain":"riddlemedoooo"}

1 vote

#5 - Thu Dec 11, 2008 12:18 AM EST

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UAW to bend to help Big 3 get bailout	LA Daily News	Thu Dec 4	1
U.A.W. to Change Contracts in Bid to Help Detroit - NYTimes.com	The New York Times	Thu Dec 4	0
UAW to renegotiate labor terms, suspend jobs bank	Associated Press	Wed Dec 3	2
UAW grants concessions, exec warns of depression	Associated Press	Tue Dec 2	27
UAW Gives Concessions	Wall Street Journal	Wed Dec 3	2

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U.A.W. to Change Contracts in Bid to Help Detroit

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