The UAW Reneges

IBD Editorials ^ | December 24, 2008

[Kaslin]

Autos: The government gave the Big Three a $17.3 billion bailout based on the idea that both management and the unions would make concessions. Now the UAW says no thanks. Can we have our money back?

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Last week's deal was supposed to hold both the managers' and unions' feet to the fire. In handing out the taxpayer money, the White House insisted the auto union cut worker pay roughly to the levels of their successful competitors, Toyota, Honda and Nissan.

For $17 billion in emergency bailout cash and possibly much more later, it was a reasonable request. As President Bush said, "The time to make the hard decisions to become viable is now — or the only option will be bankruptcy." He added that a deadline of March 31 for the industry to prove its "viability" and other limits "send a clear signal to everyone involved."

Well, if so, the United Auto Workers didn't get it.

Just days before Christmas, the UAW let it be known it'll fight any concessions on wages and benefits. "An undue tax on the workers" is how union boss Ron Gettelfinger described it as the UAW reneged on the deal almost before the ink was dry.

This will go down as one of the most cynical acts of political manipulation ever. The UAW agreed to one thing with President Bush, knowing full well President-elect Barack Obama and congressional Democrats were big recipients of union largesse and would let them slide. They read the situation correctly.

[Parmy]

Good, Now the companies and go into bankruptcy and close plants and move to friendlier, less costly locations.

[Tzimisce]

Wow I’m so...not shocked.

It warms my heart to think that my money is going to support people who live better than I do and make more money than me. :)

[traditional1]

"the UAW let it be known it'll fight any concessions on wages and benefits"

Bush should pull the loan, let them go Chapter 11 and tear up all existing contracts.

Stinkfinger (or whatever the Union Boss's name is) can go try to find a REAL job himself, instead of profiteering from taking from the earnings of the workers themselves via Union dues.....they can't compete with the Union's extortion fees on the companies' backs, and there will only continue to be a giant sucking sound of endless "bailouts" for the automakers until they are allowed to FREELY conduct their business.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

I still say we should challenge Mr Gettelfinger to join FR and address the complaints of those who have given up on UAW products and oppose this bailout?

[DeuceTraveler]

I think I’ll do my part and stop purchasing from companies with Union labor.

[Hoplite]

Last week's deal

Deal? What deal?

The President simply gave GM and Chrysler the cash they need to hobble on until their fate is no longer his responsibility.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

That’s what it has come to, isn’t it? We wreck our economy, or allow the UAW to use our reluctance to do so against us. Some choice.

[PGalt]

$17 billion in emergency bailout cash and possibly much more later is an “undue”, unproductive and unnecessary tax on the citizens of a free republic, Ron.

[GBA]

The UAW is working overtime to make me want to avoid buying a UAW made car or truck.

[Emperor Palpatine]

Unions should all be broken.....no matter what union or industry.

[Congressman Billybob]

Of course the UAW reneged on concessions. When it is time to decide whether to shovel more money into the pit known as General Motors and Chrysler, the President will be Obama. And, Obama is a wholly owned subsidiary of the UAW,

As the recently-departed Deep Throat said, "Follow the money." The taxpayers' money dumped into auto companies' hands will pass through to union hands, and then, surprise - surprise, into the hands of Democrat politicians.

And the music goes round and round.

Congressman Billybob

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[george76]

[navyguy]

Four years ago I purchased my first new car from GMC. With this news I’ll never buy another GM or Ford vehicle as long as the UAW exists. I’ll send them a letter explaining as much. I tried to be a good American, but after this, screw these pricks.

[doosee]

I ditto your remarks. The unions pay for the Dems to take power and then expect other workers to fund their wages and benefits. I plan to buy a vehicle next spring and unless the UAW makes concessions, the Big 3 will be off my shopping list.

[devere]

“Deal? What deal? The President simply gave GM and Chrysler the cash they need to hobble on until their fate is no longer his responsibility.”

That is exactly correct.

[stubernx98]

I already sent them a letter. Go to their website and give them a piece of your mind.

[Chode]

do I really have to say it???

[highlander_UW]

There’s a shocker...NOT. Let the market deal with the auto companies.

[TwelveOfTwenty]

The unions pay for the Dems to take power and then expect other workers to fund their wages and benefits.

Am I the only one who has noticed that most of the liberal Democrats who supposedly support the UAW's cause are buying imports or transplants, not UAW built vehicles?