Alternate Route

Nov 21, 2008 - Say What?

The day after UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union has made its sacrifices, done its reorganization, and there's not much left to give, there's a story that maybe the union is starting to see things a little more realistically.

The UAW is negotiating the possible elimination of its controversial jobs bank and is considering other concessions to help Detroit's automakers win low-cost loans from Congress.

What's that? Did you say "concessions"? Amazing how fast reality has grabbed the UAW by the throat when faced with the fact that a hard line stance will kill you.

It very well may take some government aid to prop up the automakers and help them weather the current turmoil, but I'm encouraged that it's starting to seem like we're not going to blindly throw money at them without some kind plan for the changes the automakers and UAW are going to make.

Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., said: "There was a failure to appreciate that there was no likelihood of them getting a check for $25 billion, no questions asked." Dodd, along with Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., will review the industry's submissions. "There's a clear need for a much more concrete vision and plan for this industry and how it's going to survive."

Now if only the government would take its own advice about living within your means.

Read more at freep.com

6:21 am | Categories: automotive news Permalink | Alert Administrator

Add to: