Friday, July 14, 2006

The Washington Post, July 11, 2006, Tuesday

Copyright 2006 The Washington Post
The Washington Post

July 11, 2006 Tuesday
Final Edition

SECTION: Financial; D02

HEADLINE: UAW Head Balks at GM Partnership Plan

BYLINE: Kathleen Day, Washington Post Staff Writer

BODY:
United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said he doubts that a proposal for General Motors Corp. to link up with Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA will go anywhere.
"I don't think it's a done deal by any stretch of the imagination," Gettelfinger said Friday on a Detroit radio show.
GM is considering a plan under which Nissan and Renault would take a 20 percent stake in the automaker. The proposal was first put forward by billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian, who owns 9.9 percent of GM shares.
Gettelfinger said on the radio show that the UAW supports GM chief executive Rick Wagoner, who, under pressure from Kerkorian and the GM board, will explore the possibility of such an alliance.
But Gettelfinger took issue with the proposal, saying it would result in "a further erosion of good jobs in this country" if it went through.
"The entire complexion of the auto industry in the future will be determined by this," he said during the interview, broadcast on WJR. UAW officials did not return phone calls yesterday seeking comment.
The UAW's opposition to the idea of GM teaming up with foreign automakers isn't surprising, said Cornell University labor studies professor Richard Hurd.
The UAW views Renault "as an unknown when it comes to labor practices" and views Nissan, which has thwarted efforts to organize workers at its plant in Tennessee, as hostile to labor, Hurd said. The UAW still carries clout in Congress and could put up hurdles if the plan proceeds, he said.
However, George Washington University Law School professor Charles Craver said that by supporting Wagoner, the UAW may be able to show Nissan and Renault that it can work with management and thereby win support from two companies for labor organizing.