UAW President Says American Axle is Out To "Crush" Striking Workers

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/8563

By Doug Cunningham

UAW President Ron Gettlefinger told Detroit’s WWJ radio that with thousands of workers still on the American Axle strike picket lines, the company’s greed knows no bounds.

: “I have never witnessed a situation where there was more callous disregard for the workforce than there is here. We have literally made hundreds of changes in this contract and throughout these negotiations. And I mean literally hundreds of changes, all to the company’s advantage. And they continue to push back for more and more. They’re out to crush this membership.”

Gettlefinger says the UAW never wanted GM to offer $200 million to help settle the strike, which has stopped or partially reduced production at 29 GM plants.

: “We were never trying to force GM to get involved. I openly stated and publicly stated that I did not think that GM should be involved.”

The American Axle strike was triggered by a company demand to slash wages and to eliminate some benefits for future retirees.

[oldleftguy]

1. Solidarity