“Strike Was Not Out Of The Question” - Gettelfinger

Anthony Fontanelle
March 29, 2007

United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger intimated that a strike was not out of the question as its union members prepare to defend their pay and benefits later this year in contract talks with automakers. He added that the UAW would fight at the bargaining table, in the courts, politically and "if need be on the picket line."

Gettelfinger revealed the side of the union during the controversial address to a UAW bargaining convention at the Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Some 1,500 delegates will meet until Wednesday to discuss the guidelines for the scheduled contract talks with the car makers this summer.

Gettelfinger also took a direct shot at Delphi. Corp. Chairman Steve Miller, implying that the parts supplier's bankruptcy was weaved to deny workers of promised benefits. "Steve Miller steered Delphi into a mechanical bankruptcy," Gettelfinger said to stimulating applause. "Miller knew nothing about the business and even less about the workers."

He said that the lawyers involved in the suppliers’ bankruptcies are "bottom feeders." He literally screamed to the delegates that bankruptcies are being used by automakers to get out pension and other responsibilities to workers. "Our message is to the Steve Millers of the world. You will never do that!"

When asked about the potential sale of the Chrysler Group, Gettelfinger said that equity and hedge funds are "circling overhead like never before." He vowed the union would protect UAW workers during any potential sale.

The 19 protesters met across the street from main Cobo entrance Tuesday. Some 1,500 delegates stream into the expo hall to defend their cause. The activists carried sign with slogans bearing “No more concessions” and “Rights for workers.” They also handed out leaflets with an identical message.

The activists stirring passion to keep going with their principle at heart is so evident that no amount of EBC redstuff power could victoriously stop them. They voiced their caution for delegates to stop accepting pay cuts, layoffs and reductions in health care and pension benefits from the automakers.

Protester Todd Jordan, 29 years old and a worker at Delphi's Kokomo, Ind., plant, said that it was tough for many rank-and-file workers to take the day off or travel to Detroit to participate. He added that 2,500 rank-and-file members already have signed a no-more-concessions petition.

Jordan and other dissident UAW members from the group called Soldiers of Solidarity maintain that recent buyouts and layoffs have ruthlessly dampened their devoted efforts. Jordan noted that at his facility 81 percent of workers there are recent new hires working for half the wages of their predecessors who left for buyouts, early retirements or transfers out of the bankrupt parts company.

Source:  Amazines.com