UAW to ask Obama to remove 'unfair' labor rules

[DainBramaged]

The UAW today said it is pleased that the Bush administration approved bridge loans to prop up General Motors Corp. and Chrysler during the economic downturn but is concerned that the restructuring conditions outlined in the terms of the loan unfairly single out hourly workers, and said it will work with the Obama administration to remove conditions it views as unfair.

"All stakeholders – management, directors, bondholders, suppliers, dealers, workers – will have to participate in shared sacrifices to help the industry move forward," UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said in a statement, noting that UAW members have already made substantial sacrifices to help make the domestic auto
companies more competitive.


“We are disappointed that," President Bush, "has added unfair conditions singling out workers," Gettelfinger said. “We will work with the Obama administration and the new Congress to ensure that these unfair conditions are removed, as we join in the coming months with all stakeholders to create a viable
future for the U.S. auto industry."


As part of the conditions of as much as $17.4 billion in federal loans approved for GM and Chrysler, the White House has called for the automakers to make one-half of the approximately $21 billion owed to a UAW retiree health-care trust in stock instead of cash; eliminate the controversial jobs bank program that provides nearly full pay to union workers on long-term layoff; make wages competitive with those of foreign automakers operating in the United States by the end of 2009; and establish work rules that are competitive with those so-called "transplant" automakers by the end of 2009.


http://www.freep.com/article/20081219/BUSINESS01/81219062

[sandyj999]

1. And Two weeks ao he said they were willing to do whatever necessary.

How soon he forgot. I definitely think they should give up the "jobs bank".

[DainBramaged]

3. I think you should give up Union busting.

[readmoreoften]

4. Stop union busting.

Screw the right wing of this party.

[BrklynLiberal]

2. After all that labor did to get hm elected, Obama should do something

to help these guys out.
The repukes are using this as an excuse to further their union busting agenda.

[David Dunham]

5. The jobs bank should be tossed out.

[gizmo1979]

6. The job bank is

chump change,I doubt the union would fight for it.The problem is when you figure retiree's into the equation,workers will have to work for 9 bucks an hour to even the cost out.How much longer has GM been in business than the Japanese?It won't work out.
The job bank isn't a sticking point.

[DainBramaged]

7. Rethug Union busters should be thrown out