Contracts Deliver on Health Care Pledge, Economic Gains
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| UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, Vice President Richard Shoemaker and the UAW GM bargaining team. |
This report describes highlights of the agreement negotiated
by the UAW GM bargaining team. Each article covers contract
language which commonly applies to UAW GM and UAW Delphi
workers unless identified as specific to UAW GM or specific
to UAW Delphi.
On the opening day of 2003 auto negotiations, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger stood in front of a banner that proclaimed “Bargaining for America.” The UAW was sending a message both to the companies and to all working Americans: The gains and protections won by our union help raise the standards for all workers. This agreement carries on that tradition.
At a time when most employers are shifting the rising costs of health care onto the workers, Gettelfinger has publicly and repeatedly sent a clear message to the auto companies: no cost shifting or benefit reductions. This four-year contract delivers on that promise and more for General Motors and Delphi workers and retirees. It includes economic gains and improved pensions, and protects the many hard-won achievements of previous contracts.
These contract talks were the first time the UAW concluded negotiations with each of the Big Three within days of their common expiration dates.
Led by Gettelfinger and UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker, the negotiating committee, co-chaired by Mark Hawkins, Local 598, and Clyde Sims, Local 913, faced difficult and demanding challenges.
“This bargaining committee put forward a tremendous effort to reach fair and equitable agreements,” said Shoemaker. “Once again, the interests of both GM and Delphi workers were protected.”
“I commend Vice President Shoemaker’s team, the International Union staff who assisted the negotiators and this national negotiating committee who devoted many long hours to the bargaining process,” said Gettelfinger. “We want to thank the membership and local union leadership for the solid support given to the UAW’s bargaining team throughout these negotiations. With teamwork in the leadership and solidarity in the ranks, we accomplished our major bargaining goals.”
UAW GM and Delphi Report
This report was prepared for the UAW General Motors Department, Vice President
and Director Richard Shoemaker, by the UAW Public Relations and Publications
Department. Photos were taken by Rebecca Cook. This is a summary of the tentative
agreement. In all cases, the actual contract language will apply.
