Union Seeks Raise and Additional Jobs from GM

08/07/96

U.S.A. Today has reported that the United Auto Workers have demanded that General Motors raise wages, reverse its decision to close plants, and bring work back into its plants. The newspaper said it read the demands in a UAW newsletter, and that the demands were among the union's opening position when bargaining talks with the automaker started in June.

The UAW's triennial contracts with the big three automakers expire on September 14th of this year. Late this month the union will pick one of the automakers as a strike target and concentrate its bargaining effort on settling a contract with that carmaker. In spite of a higher risk of strike, Chrysler, Ford and GM all want the UAW to chose them as strike target. Being strike target gives the selected automaker a chance to bargain a contract that is specifically suited to its own needs and situation. Typically the UAW negotiates a contract with the strike target and then takes that contract to the other two automakers for them to sign. agreed on with the strike target will be brought to the other automakers for them to sign.

U.S.A Today reported that the UAW newsletter from June 17 listed the following demands for GM:

Hike wages immediately for GM's 236,000 workers. The workers now are paid an average $19.01 an hour. The UAW also wants raises each year of the new contract.

Reverse plans to close or sell any GM factories. GM said in the spring it would unload five plants, and GM plants in Flint, Mich., also are in jeopardy.

Bring back work that GM has sent to outside companies. The newsletter says the UAW told GM it had violated the UAW-GM contract, which requires GM to consider giving work to its own factories before sending it outside.

U.S.A Today reported that GM did not comment on the newsletter.

Paul Dever -- The Auto Channel