UAW’s Gettelfinger: Ford’s in “Great Shape”
February 22, 2007
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger did have something to say about Ford. It’s not as bad off as everyone is making it.
His comment to Detroit radio station WJR came a day after one of the nation’s top auto economist expressed its extreme worry that Ford was running through cash quickly, which, in turn, would force major concessions by UAW workers to Ford. Sean McAlinden, chief economist for the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., said Ford could ask the union to cut wages and benefits by 20 percent for a $1.4 billion savings in this year’s negotiations. The union’s contract with Detroit automakers expires in September.
Gettelfinger said: "They just went through this huge financing. They've got a ton of cash. They've got great leadership at the top of that company. They've made some tough decisions, but so have we. That company is in great shape."
Posted by Michelle Krebs at 6:04 AM under Commentary , Ford | Comments (1) | digg this | Seed Newsvine
Yeah, that great leadership must get all it's experience on plane rides and putting greens. Come on! They lost $12 Billion last year and they're "in great shape"?!? Furthermore, when has the union EVER offered to reduce wages and benefits by 20%? Seems like a front to me. There's no way they'd do such a thing. They have it too good to want to give anything up. If they fight over paying $20 bucks a week for healthcare instead of NOTHING, does anyone think they're going to give up wages? I don't.
Posted by: flicmod | February 22, 2007 at 12:03 PM