Talks Between UAW, Automakers Accelerate

Negotiations Between United Auto Workers, Automakers Accelerate As Both Sides Resolve Issues

DETROIT September 5, 2003; John Porretto writing for the AP reported that negotiations between the United Auto Workers and the traditional Big Three automakers acclerated Friday as both sides worked to reach agreements before current contracts expire Sept. 14.

"The pace of negotiations has picked up," Richard Shoemaker, the UAW's vice president in charge of negotiating with General Motors Corp., said in a recorded telephone message for workers. "Subcommittees are meeting daily and in the evening as negotiators focus on key issues."

The sides have resolved some major issues and an agreement could be reached as early as this weekend, a source close to the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

An early resolution -- and possibly deals that cover all the companies -- would be highly unusual. UAW spokesman Paul Krell said the union wasn't aware of any occasion when negotiations have been settled more than a day early.

At a time when the U.S. market share for domestic automakers is at an all-time low, and foreign automakers continue to expand their domestic lineups and capacity, most observers say the probability of a strike is low.

The man who will make the final call is UAW President Ron Gettelfinger, who has been conferring with his lieutenants on the status of talks with GM, Ford Motor Co., DaimlerChrysler AG and suppliers Delphi Corp. and Visteon Corp. The sides have been meeting daily since mid-July.

Typically, the union reaches a deal with one automaker and the others follow the resulting contract terms. Gettelfinger has not yet chosen one of the companies to lead negotiations.

The UAW and automakers are negotiating confidentially on issues such as wages, jobs, health care and pensions that affect 300,000 workers and nearly a half-million retirees and their spouses.

The current contracts were negotiated in 1999 during the term of Gettelfinger's predecessor, Stephen Yokich, who died last year.

The 1999 pacts included 3 percent annual pay hikes, a ban on plant closings and nearly cost-free health care.