Possible Auto Workers Strike at GM

GM faces-off with UAW

UAW set to strike

Workers represented by American labor union United Auto Workers are planning to walk out of General Motors on Monday at 11 a.m. Detroit time if a deal is not reached. The union has been working with GM to solidify a new contract agreement.

In a press release, union president Ron Gettelfinger cites the failure of General Motors to "recognize and appreciate what [UAW] membership has contributed during the past four years," referring to labor concessions to help keep the company out of bankruptcy.

UAW represents roughly 73,000 GM employees across the United States. Their most recent contract with GM expired on September 14. Union workers are also operating under expired contracts with Ford and Chrysler, but those deals have been extended indefinitely.

Representatives at General Motors have not yet responded to a WorldCarFans request for an interview.

UAW Vice President Cal Rapson said that, despite agreeing to continue talks with the auto maker, GM has failed to agree to the workers' needs.

"Instead, in 2007 company executives continued to award themselves bonuses while demanding that our members accept a reduced standard of living," he said in the release.

Both negotiating teams are reportedly still at the bargaining table.

Source: United Auto Workers

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UAW shocked by GM’s failure to recognize worker contributions; sets strike deadline for 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24

The UAW announced today that due to the failure of General Motors to address job security and other mandatory issues of bargaining, the union has set a firm strike deadline for 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 24.

“We’re shocked and disappointed that General Motors has failed to recognize and appreciate what our membership has contributed during the past four years,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. “Since 2003 our members have made extraordinary efforts every time the company came to us with a problem: the corporate restructuring, the attrition plan, the Delphi bankruptcy, the 2005 health care agreement. In every case, our members went the extra mile to find reasonable solutions.

“Throughout this time period," said Gettelfinger, "it has been the dedication of UAW members that has helped GM set new standards for safety, quality and productivity in their manufacturing facilities. And in this current round of bargaining, we did everything possible to negotiate a new contract, including an unprecedented agreement to stay at the bargaining table nine days past the expiration of the previous agreement.”

“This is our reward: a complete failure by GM to address the reasonable needs and concerns of our members,” said UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, director of the union's GM Department. “Instead, in 2007 company executives continued to award themselves bonuses while demanding that our members accept a reduced standard of living.

“The company’s disregard for our members has forced our bargaining committee to take this course of action,” said Rapson. “Unless UAW members hear otherwise between now and the deadline, we will be on a national strike against GM at 11 a.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 24th.”

The UAW negotiating team will remain at the bargaining table, Rapson said, throughout the night and up until the 11 a.m. deadline.