NPR's Frank Langfitt compares UAW union benefits to "a welfare state."

[KansDem]

Detroit and the UAW Face Uncertain Future

-excerpt-
Waning Union Strength

When Detroit dominated the market in earlier decades, the United Auto Workers got great benefits for their members and built a virtual welfare state. Now, the Detroit companies are trying to dismantle it.

At the bargaining table, the companies are expected to try to reduce some retiree obligations. Last year, they spent $11 billion on health care for more than a million retirees and dependents.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12257721">Detroit and the UAW Face Uncertain Future

But, one NPR listener wasn’t buying it…

Several of you also wrote in about our story on the labor talks between the United Auto Workers and the automobile industry, and specifically this line from reporter Frank Langfitt:

"In earlier decades when Detroit dominated the market, the United Auto workers got great benefits for their members and built a virtual welfare state."

Jane Owen, of Arlington, Texas, writes:

"I don't think that characterizing health benefits and pension plans for people who are working full-time, or have retired from working full-time all their lives, as 'welfare' is balanced reporting. Decent pay, health insurance and pensions should be available for full-time workers, period. If the companies are failing, they should look at their products, their management, and their CEO bonuses."

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12249371">Letters

[rfranklin]

1. LIke those top execs who leave with tens of millions in pension...

and benefits? The same ones who signed contracts and now want to welch on the workers?

[Blue_Tires]

2. shameful

[BearSquirrel2]

3. The auto companies deferred compensation ...

The auto industry deferred compensation till retirement in order to maximize profits. Now they're wining that they cannot deliver on their promises. Unfortunately, there is no way to reach into the pockets of the executives who took the money and ran. This is the great flaw in our system.

In the future, we need bonded compensation for executives. Their "over and above" compensations should be put aside in their name where they can only touch it after a certain amount of time has passed. If they are found negligent, workers and investors should be able to come after them.

[senseandsensibility]

4. Does everyone realize that this terminology

was used in a supposedly straight news report on the "liberal" NPR? Just think about that for a moment.

[ljm2002]

7. Yes, good ol' "liberal" NPR...

...who yesterday reported on the Gonzales flap, and had a clip of Senator Specter saying something or other -- but no clips of Senator Leahy, who is merely the chairman of the committee, so what could he add to their story, right?

It makes me want to scream sometimes.

[senseandsensibility]

10. Well, I hadn't heard that yet.

Thanks for the heads up. Then again, I almost wish I hadn't heard it.:-(

[Bluebear]

5. What a disgraceful comment on Langfitt's part. nt

[no_hypocrisy]

6. In consideration of all the cracked and bleeding skulls of strikers at the Ford plant

in Flint, Michigan in the 30's, that remark is so offensive.

[senseandsensibility]

11. Well, yes.

Thanks for putting things in perspective.:-)

[BlooInBloo]

8. Anti-labor people suck.

[TahitiNut]

9. I wonder what the difference is between a "welfare state" and a "commonwealth"??

Is there any meaning to "provide for the common defense" and "promote the general welfare" that's NOT a 'welfare state'???