UAW aims to rebuild, rebound
Experts see incoming president as the right person at the right time
BY BRENT SNAVELY
FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER
General Motors and Chrysler aren't the only ones trying to bounce back from their bankruptcies last year.
The UAW also faces a historic challenge of rebuilding not just its membership -- which has fallen from a high of 1.5 million in 1980 to a historic low below 470,000 -- but also its image.
How low the union's image has sunk became apparent during congressional hearings in late 2008, when GM and Chrysler sought federal aid. Politicians, bondholders and others over the next several months lashed out at the union and blamed it for the automakers' woes.
"The vast majority of my constituents are not making anywhere near what General Motors, Chrysler and Ford pay their employees," U.S. Rep. Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., said at the time.
It's a point of view the UAW faced repeatedly. "They think we are overpaid, lazy workers, and we are not," said Ronda Danielson , president of UAW Local 879 in St. Paul, Minn.
Despite the criticisms, the UAW emerged from the crisis with a surprising amount of potential. The union protected base wages, pensions and retiree health care. And its health care trust fund now owns 17.5% of GM and 67.7% of Chrysler.
That could give the UAW a chance to recast its image, which is critical to rebuilding membership ranks.
Bob King, who is expected to be elected president of the 75-year-old union in June, already has given hints of his new strategy. He's expressed a desire to better promote the union's charitable activities, and he's signaling that the insular union will be more open and transparent.
"I think we hit the low point last year and we're on the rebound," said Mike Dunn, chairman of UAW Local 5960 in Lake Orion.
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http://www.freep.com/article/20100314/BUSINESS01/3140551/1318/UAW-Rebuild-rebound
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