AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

GM/UAW Contract Update 9/18/07

According to the Detroit News, in a memo to local union officials, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger and Cal Rapson,the lead union negotiator for the UAW, reported that a they have made substantial progress in their contract talks with General Motors, but "major issues" remain unresolved. The officials broached the topic of setting a firm deadline for the conclusion of negotiations, but no firm deadline was set. Gettelfinger and Rapson warned local officials about the unreliability of leaked information concerning the progress of the negotiation, making reference to a blackout agreed to by the union and the manufacturer.

In a separate news story, the Detroit News speculates that the contract could contain a large signing bonus to seal the deal. Given the difficulties of the issues, the News speculates that the signing bonus may well exceed the $3,000 that was included in the last contract in 2003.