Partnership is focus of labor-management event
09.05.2008 10:01
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- Source: toledoblade.com
Success through partnership was the message yesterday from representatives of the United Auto Workers and representatives from Chrysler LLC at the University of Toledo to celebrate the 22nd Annual Conference on Labor-Management Cooperation. "The U.S. economy increasingly resembles that of an undeveloped nation, with the gap between rich and poor, the have and have-nots, widening," General Holiefield, UAW vice president and director of the Chrysler department, said at the event presented by the Northwest Ohio Center for Labor-Management Cooperation. He accused politicians and poor trade policies of fostering a "third world America." He cited jobs lost to overseas firms, low wages of U.S. workers, and tax-cut practices that benefit rich corporations as responsible for industry problems. The solution, he said, is offering good wages and affordable health care and making "trade policies to reverse the flow of jobs out of this country." Alphons Iacobelli, vice president of labor relations for Chrysler, said, "We're facing a crisis like never before." The automaker has lost market share amid an influx of foreign cars and is struggling to meet rising costs health care and car parts. The auto industry situation is eerily similar to what the airline and steel industries have dealt with in the past, he added. All have been affected by overcapacity, job elimination, bankruptcy, and reductions in wages, health benefits, and pension programs. "It's no longer us against them, union versus [company]," he explained. "We have to share in each other's interests in finding common ground if we're going to go ahead harmoniously." The national UAW agreements reached last year with Chrysler, General Motors Corp., and Ford Motor Co. were successes, especially the spinoffs of retiree health care coverage into funds separated from the companies, he said. Other area companies, such as Dana Holding Corp., also have such retiree health care funds. Also presented were awards honoring excellence in organizational and employment relationships. They were the Joseph Tomasi Spirit Award given to GM Toledo Powertrain Plant and UAW Local 14 and the El Flag Award given to TRW Automotive Fayette and UAW Local 1181. Contact Ted Fackler at:
tfackler@theblade.com
or 419-724-6199.
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