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UAW Eyes Give-Backs to Help Big 3 Bailout

Union ready to make concessions to secure industry loan

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 21, 2008 7:55 AM CST

(Newser) – The United Auto Workers appears to be easing off its “no more cuts” stance. The union is negotiating a swath of concessions it hopes will convince Congress to loan money to the Big Three, starting with the elimination of its controversial jobs bank, the Detroit Free Press reports. The bank pays laid-off workers, sometimes for years after their dismissal.

The UAW’s willingness to sacrifice comes after congressional leaders roundly rejected automakers’ pitch for a $25 billion rescue yesterday, panning the executives’ performances. “I was, in some ways, embarrassed for them,” said one Tennessee Republican. “They had no plan.” Michigan’s Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow crafted a compromise they believed could pass, but Democratic leadership insisted automakers devise a plausible rebound scenario first.

From right, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, and GM CEO Rick Wagoner pause during a Senate hearing on the auto industry, Nov. 18, 2008.
From right, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, Ford CEO Alan Mulally, Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli, and GM CEO Rick Wagoner pause during a Senate hearing on the auto industry, Nov. 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
United Auto Workers member Gary Reed carries a strike sign outside a union meeting in Detroit, Sunday, May 18, 2008.
United Auto Workers member Gary Reed carries a strike sign outside a union meeting in Detroit, Sunday, May 18, 2008.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
In this Jan. 24 file photo, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger addresses the media at the UAW Solidarity House in Detroit.
In this Jan. 24 file photo, United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger addresses the media at the UAW Solidarity House in Detroit.   (AP Photo)
In this May 18 file photo, United Auto Workers talk outside a union meeting in Detroit.
In this May 18 file photo, United Auto Workers talk outside a union meeting in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
In this Oct. 7, 2008, file photo, United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger talks to reporters in Detroit.
In this Oct. 7, 2008, file photo, United Auto Workers president Ron Gettelfinger talks to reporters in Detroit.   (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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I was really struck by the lack of coherence. I was, in some ways, embarrassed for them. They had no plan. - Sen. Bob Corker, R-Tenn.

There was a failure to appreciate that there was no likelihood of them getting a check for $25 billion, no questions asked. - Chris Dodd

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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Guest
Nov 24, 2008 10:08 PM CST
The Big 3 need to file for bankruptcy, which would let them out of the outrageous contracts they stupidly made with the unions. Then start over... without unions! The thing the unions keep forgetting is that THEY need these companies for the jobs, not vice versa.
Guest
Nov 20, 2008 9:03 PM CST
This should have been their position long before this.Management better come up with an acceptable plan or the industry is going down the tubes.

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