UAW President Ron Gettelfinger will testify at congressional hearings this week in an effort to save millions of jobs generated by the American auto industry.
Leaders of the United Auto Workers (UAW) this week approved additional cost-cutting measures in support of the industry’s efforts to secure government-backed bridge loans designed to prevent a catastrophic shutdown of the U.S. auto industry.
UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union would delay automakers’ payments to a union-administered health care fund and modifies a program providing pay and benefits to laid-off autoworkers. Additionally, UAW leaders agreed to consider making further modifications to the 2007 agreements.
Gettelfinger will testify at congressional hearings this week alongside CEO’s from Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, who will offer detailed plans about how they plan to use a proposed $34 billion in loans to protect the companies from bankruptcy.
Drawing huge applause from UAW delegates at a joint meeting of UAW Ford, General Motors and Chrysler National Councils in Detroit, Gettlefinger stressed the crisis facing domestic autoworkers is affecting auto companies around the world. Nearly every other auto-producing country, including Germany, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Russia and China, has provided or is considering billions in aid to their respective auto industries.
The auto industry employs workers in every state - including Alaska and Hawaii. More than two million jobs from manufacturing, to parts and auto dealers, depend on carmakers for their pay.
Click here to send a message to your Senators and Congressperson or use the toll-free number 877-331-1223 and tell your representatives to save jobs during this economic crisis.
