Union workers at GM anxious as talks go on

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070918/NEWS03/709180311/1001/news

Published September 18, 2007
< From LSJ.com >
Union workers at GM anxious as talks go on
Negotiations cause auto stocks to rise

Staff and Wire Reports

DETROIT - Contract talks between the United Auto Workers union and General Motors Corp. resumed this morning after the two sides recessed Monday night.

But negotiations have been slowed so much by the complexity of retiree health care and other issues that a deal could be days away.

Both sides reported progress, but a person who was briefed on the talks said it’s taking a lot of time to reach agreement on details, such as changes GM is seeking in work rules and job classifications, as well as financial issues. The person requested anonymity because the talks are private.

“It’s billions of dollars and the security of somebody who’s put 30 years into the company on an assembly line, so both sides want to get it right,” said Harley Shaiken, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who specializes in labor issues. “So, that’s going to slow things down a bit.”

Talks resumed mid-morning Tuesday after about 10 hours of negotiations Monday ended at 9 p.m., GM spokeswoman Katie McBride said.

At the factories, workers expressed uncertainty as they awaited word on the talks.

FULL story at link.

[kernelfarmer]

1. Anxious Union workers everywhere

I would argue that Union factory workers everywhere are watching these talks to see what their future holds. With contract talks at our factory 6 months away, many of our members are anxious to see what happens with the UAW.