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UAW Statement Regarding Talks at Locals 659 and 651

18 June 1998

UAW Statement Regarding Talks at Locals 659 and 651

    DETROIT, June 17 -- UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker, who
directs the UAW GM Department, issued the following statement about
negotiations in Flint, Michigan:

    "We are glad to hear that GM is at least saying that they would be willing
to meet around the clock to settle the unresolved issues at Locals 659 and
651.  More importantly, we hope that they are finally prepared to come to
negotiations with the resolve to settle health and safety, subcontracting,
production standards issues, grievances and GM's unmet commitments that are at
the heart of these disputes.
    "GM is only complicating and prolonging these strikes by repeated attempts
in the media to shift the focus of negotiations from specific local union
issues and GM's failure to live up to existing agreements and commitments.
GM's media posturing does not address the issues that are on the table and
does not contribute in any way to the speedy resolution of the strikes.
    "This strike need not have happened.  We are disappointed that GM forced
this strike by not addressing these issues months ago, prior to the strike and
five day letters.  At this stage, blaming the local unions for GM's failure to
address the strikeable issues many weeks ago is counter-productive.
    "GM's claim that they are committed to investing in their American
operations is believed by their actions.  They continually threaten our locals
with being sold or outsourced out of existence.  They make commitments to
invest and, as in the case of Local 659, they renege on these commitments in
lieu of new demands that were not part of their original commitments.  The end
result is the same, America and communities like Flint, come last in their
strategy.
    "The UAW and our bargaining teams at Local 659 and Local 651 remain
committed to reaching settlements of the unresolved health and safety, sub-
contracting, production standards issues and GM's unmet commitments.  The UAW
bargaining teams at both locals are available to meet around the clock to
address the specific issues on the bargaining table.  We urge the company to
spend more time on negotiations and less on public posturing."