UAW opens talks with Ford, Chrysler and GM

The UAW bargaining teams, led by President Ron Gettelfinger, opened 2007 contract talks with Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC in July.

Gettelfinger and Vice President General Holiefield, who directs the union’s Chrysler Department, kicked off talks July 20 by stressing the commitment of UAW members to safety, quality and future job security for Chrysler workers and their families.

‘They’re the ones who have made a lot of sacrifices, both for the corporation and for our union over the years, and our union is not one to walk away from retirees.’

Ron Gettelfinger
after opening talks
with GM on July 23

UAW Vice President Cal Rapson, who directs the union’s GM Department, and UAW Vice President Bob King, who directs the National Ford Department, opened talks with automakers July 23.

“We’re going into these negotiations as we do every set of negotiations, which is to look out for the best interests of our active and retired membership,” Gettelfinger said.

Current contracts with all three automakers, which cover more than 720,000 active and retired members and surviving spouses, expire at midnight on Sept. 14.

The union’s overall bargaining program was determined by UAW members at the Special Convention on Collective Bargaining this March in Detroit, and specific proposals to the auto companies will reflect the UAW’s democratic decision-making process. “The demands we present to the company originate at the local union level,” said Gettelfinger. “They went through the various subcouncils into the national councils.”

But the issues at stake in auto talks, he said, reach beyond the ranks of union members.

“There are a lot of people who benefit from what we do, whether they’re union members or not,” he said. “We’re fighting for the middle class. We’re fighting for good jobs for America. It’s not just about us — these negotiations are about everybody.”