UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes"

Perian · 06-12-2006, 11:17 AM

Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...606120399/1148

Health care benefits are 'unsustainable,' Gettelfinger says

Associated Press - 06/12/06

The decline of the Big Three automakers and the rise of their Japanese competitors means the United Auto Workers must accept big changes in its approach to health insurance and other contract issues, union President Ron Gettelfinger says.

Gettelfinger made the comment in a report to the UAW's constitutional convention, which was opening Monday in Las Vegas. The New York Times obtained copies of the report.

The Associated Press left a message before business hours Monday with UAW spokesman Paul Krell.

The challenges facing General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group are greater than earlier crises, including Chrysler's escape from bankruptcy in the 1970s, the recession of the early 1980s and GM's record losses in 1992, Gettelfinger said.

"The challenges we face aren't the kind that can be ridden out. They're structural challenges, and they require new and farsighted solutions," he said.

Perian · 06-12-2006, 11:18 AM

What's the bigger story today -

The Silverado pictures, or this?

Aerodynamix · 06-12-2006, 11:26 AM

Hmmm...what's the bigger story?

Unmasked '08 Silverado 1500 Z71 Crew Cab vs. the UAW President saying:

Quote:

The challenges we face aren't the kind that can be ridden out. They're structural challenges, and they require new and farsighted solutions...

As major as this new UAW info is, somehow I think the GMT-900 Silverado pic thread will continue to be the top thread for some time.

New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 · 06-12-2006, 11:46 AM

Sounds encouraging. At least, it seems, they are waking to reality.

cfch3399 · 06-12-2006, 11:49 AM

Sound like Ronny is finally starting to see the light.

**paul8488** · 06-12-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perian

Health care benefits are 'unsustainable,' Gettelfinger says
[/b]

Wow. That's a huge statement, and one I didn't expect to hear. I figured he knew it, but would never say it. This could just work out in the end!

**mgescuro** · 06-12-2006, 12:03 PM

Hell has frozen over.
Pigs are flying.

saturnsteve · 06-12-2006, 12:08 PM

Good, its about time that they woke up.

**TaHoE** · 06-12-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UAW President

"We Must Accept Big Changes"

You better believe it!

JVal14 · 06-12-2006, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perian

What's the bigger story today -

The Silverado pictures, or this?

This is...easily. This is a God-send. An outright attitude like this could help save the U.S. auto industry. I'd imagine GM and Ford's stock is jumping today. This is what we've been waiting for. If it's true....

61BelAir · 06-12-2006, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mgescuro

Hell has frozen over.
Pigs are flying.

Oh great! Its one thing to have to worry about bird droppings on my truck, Now we have flying pigs. Its gonna get real messy around here.

Keeping my fingers crossed that things work out for all involved. Lord knows GM needs a break right now.

69Firebird400 · 06-12-2006, 12:33 PM

Of course it's important that the UAW president make this statement to his members to manage their expectations. It's also up to him to sell whatever agreement he and the negotating team can reach with the Big Three to the rank and file, which this is an early step toward.

I'm most impressed that he is saying this shortly before he is (as expected) elected to another term. Seems like the kind of thing that you'd wait until after being elected to say, but since from what I have read his re-election is all but a certainty, it's a good sign that he's saying it now.

Good luck to all parties involved.

eaton53 · 06-12-2006, 12:34 PM

They're both huge.

Having great product doesn't mean squat if your costs are so high that you can't sell it at a profit... although this means a lot more to the low end of the market rather than trucks which still have some margin in them.

ScottS · 06-12-2006, 12:42 PM

Publicly acknowledging a problem is one thing....

Stéphane Dumas · 06-12-2006, 12:56 PM

I think Walter Reuther might spin in his grave actually

06-12-2006, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,066	UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Link: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...606120399/1148 Health care benefits are 'unsustainable,' Gettelfinger says Associated Press - 06/12/06 The decline of the Big Three automakers and the rise of their Japanese competitors means the United Auto Workers must accept big changes in its approach to health insurance and other contract issues, union President Ron Gettelfinger says. Gettelfinger made the comment in a report to the UAW's constitutional convention, which was opening Monday in Las Vegas. The New York Times obtained copies of the report. The Associated Press left a message before business hours Monday with UAW spokesman Paul Krell. The challenges facing General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group are greater than earlier crises, including Chrysler's escape from bankruptcy in the 1970s, the recession of the early 1980s and GM's record losses in 1992, Gettelfinger said. "The challenges we face aren't the kind that can be ridden out. They're structural challenges, and they require new and farsighted solutions," he said.

06-12-2006, 11:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Perian News Contributor Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: New York Drives: 2008 Saab 9-5 Sedan Posts: 4,066	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" What's the bigger story today - The Silverado pictures, or this?

06-12-2006, 11:46 AM	#4 (permalink)
New_Mexico_Sunset_on_Rt66 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (formerly sunny New Mexico (y muchacho lo falto)) Drives: '02 Corvette Z06, '01 Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab, 19 Posts: 5,674	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Sounds encouraging. At least, it seems, they are waking to reality. __________________ 1979 Chevy Van 1978 Pontiac Firebird 1985 GMC S-15 Jimmy 1992 Pontiac Grand Am 1998 Oldmobile Intrigue 2002 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 1972 Chevrolet C-10 P/U 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer 2002 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 2001 Chevrolet Silverado LT 4x4 Ext Cab "Sometimes you gotta say, 'What the *******'. "What the ******* gives you freedom, freedom creates opportunity, ... opportunity - makes your future." - 'Risky Business' 1983

06-12-2006, 11:49 AM	#5 (permalink)
cfch3399 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 1,619	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Sound like Ronny is finally starting to see the light.

06-12-2006, 12:03 PM	#7 (permalink)
mgescuro GMI Staff Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 24,373	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Hell has frozen over. Pigs are flying. __________________ 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero 1995 Mercedes C280 1994 Jaguar XJ6 ...when all hope is gone, you know sad songs say so much... My Vision of Cadillac My Vision of Cadillac (REDUX)

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06-12-2006, 12:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
saturnsteve 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Oklahoma City Drives: 2006 Ford Fusion 2005 GMC Envoy XL Posts: 2,088	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Good, its about time that they woke up. __________________ Cars.com Field Sales Manager

06-12-2006, 12:33 PM	#12 (permalink)
69Firebird400 7.0 Liter LS7 V8 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Philadelphia Area Drives: 08 CTS DI RWD Nav, 08 Sienna Limited AWD Nav Posts: 5,639	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Of course it's important that the UAW president make this statement to his members to manage their expectations. It's also up to him to sell whatever agreement he and the negotating team can reach with the Big Three to the rank and file, which this is an early step toward. I'm most impressed that he is saying this shortly before he is (as expected) elected to another term. Seems like the kind of thing that you'd wait until after being elected to say, but since from what I have read his re-election is all but a certainty, it's a good sign that he's saying it now. Good luck to all parties involved. __________________ Autosavant Cars and Technology

06-12-2006, 12:34 PM	#13 (permalink)
eaton53 6.2 Liter Vortec V8 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 2,546	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" They're both huge. Having great product doesn't mean squat if your costs are so high that you can't sell it at a profit... although this means a lot more to the low end of the market rather than trucks which still have some margin in them.

06-12-2006, 12:42 PM	#14 (permalink)
ScottS 3.8 Liter Supercharged V6 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 702	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" Publicly acknowledging a problem is one thing....

06-12-2006, 12:56 PM	#15 (permalink)
Stéphane Dumas 4.4 Liter Supercharged Northstar Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,331	Re: UAW President: "We Must Accept Big Changes" I think Walter Reuther might spin in his grave actually

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