United Auto Workers to shift $110 mln from strike fund

[doh]

http://yahoo.reuters.com/news/articl...mktNews&rpc=44

LAS VEGAS, June 13 (Reuters) - The United Auto Workers on Tuesday voted to shift up to $110 million from its strike fund, a move read as a sign union leadership is not girding for a protracted strike at bankrupt auto parts supplier Delphi Corp.

UAW delegates overwhelmingly voted to shift the funds to support political lobbying and organizing efforts aimed at stemming a 25-year slide in the UAW's membership.

The vote to tap the union's record $914 million strike fund drew only scattered opposition from delegates at the union's four-day convention here.


Several questioned whether the union was sending a signal that it was unwilling to risk a strike amid the showdown with Delphi and before contract negotiations begin next year with U.S. automakers.

UAW-represented workers at former General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research) subsidiary Delphi have voted to give leadership the authority to call a strike against the parts supplier.

But tensions with Delphi eased last week when the UAW reached a deal under which thousands of factory workers will be offered early retirement incentives of up to $140,000.

Delphi says it needs to emerge from bankruptcy with a sharply reduced payroll.

The union accuses the company of manipulating the Chapter 11 process. Delphi Chief Executive Steve Miller has been the only auto executive singled out for criticism by UAW President Ron Gettelfinger in his remarks this week before 2,500 union delegates

[TaHoE]

..So I guess this is sorta good news...right?

[T-Type]

Yes, no strike is a good thing. Gotta keep those parts going to GM.

[mgescuro]

This seems like a good thing... unless it is a negotiating tactic, which could be the case.

Even if it were the case, there is still $800M+ in the strike fund. That's not pocket change.

[mjd1001]

Originally Posted by doh

UAW delegates overwhelmingly voted to shift the funds to support political lobbying and organizing efforts aimed at stemming a 25-year slide in the UAW's membership.

What real benefit does keeping membership up, or increasing it...have for the current members? On the surface, it looks to me this benefits the UAW leadership. If I'm a member, I don't want to hear my union is more concerned for it's own survival than for the well being of myself and other current members.

[paul8488]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

This seems like a good thing... unless it is a negotiating tactic, which could be the case.

Even if it were the case, there is still $800M+ in the strike fund. That's not pocket change.

Mgescuro, you drink that in Cristal in a year. It's peanuts!

The UAW isn't stupid, so all of their statements are very well calculated, and not just random thoughts of one guy. In the end it's all posturing. Still, it DOES appear that there at least admitting to having an understanding of reality. I was feeling pretty grim about all this for a while, but it's at least possible to fathom a happyish ending to the troubles at GM and Delphi.

[steverino]

They could return that money to the workers to offset any heathcare payroll deductions that they may have to pay that will be negotiated in the 2007 contract. I'd rather have it returned to the workers than given to some political lobbyist who will not be able to stem the slide in membership

[HEVguy]

It seems that things are going pretty well,... union workers now getting ready to take voluntary retirement from Delphi. That will reduce UAW membership. Just keep it going, slow and steady (or fast if possible) GM/Delphi! Hopefully one day soon GM will be free to truly design/manufacturer again!

[cfch3399]

Jeez, why not return all that money to workers instead of wasting it on filthy rich corrupt lobbyists and politicians.

[MrMax]

Originally Posted by mjd1001

What real benefit does keeping membership up, or increasing it...have for the current members? On the surface, it looks to me this benefits the UAW leadership. If I'm a member, I don't want to hear my union is more concerned for it's own survival than for the well being of myself and other current members.

The bigger the union, the greater bargaining power you have. A union of 500 people wouldn't mean much as far as a corporation's decision making is concerned. A union of 10,000, 15,000, 20,000 or more... thats an entirely different animal. There is power in numbers, and the survival of the union directly depends upon how many people are willing to stand with them.

[01cavalier]

There is still a lot of money left, so I wouldn't see it as a sign of no strikes. Doesn't surprise me that they will use any funds moved around for lobbying though.

[Geotpf]

This may be a bookkeepping move (gee, the strike fund is kinda huge, let's use some of that money elsewhere), or maybe it is a signal that they aren't planning on a strike. Who knows?

[56 Starchief]

its a subliminal message. more symbolic than anything.

[steverino]

Originally Posted by Geotpf

This may be a bookkeepping move (gee, the strike fund is kinda huge, let's use some of that money elsewhere), or maybe it is a signal that they aren't planning on a strike. Who knows?

Wonder if it's the same accountant that did GM's books

[asim]

Originally Posted by TaHoE

..So I guess this is sorta good news...right?

Its good, but they still have about $900 million to strike. Maybe they are getting less serious about a strike and they are investing it in other and better things...or maybe this is to trick us all.