AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

UAW/GM Contract Update 9/21/07

Contract talks went into the early morning hours today, and they are scheduled to resume later in the day. According to this morning's Detroit News, the two sides are Sagan numbers (billions and billions) apart in funding for the proposed retiree healthcare (VEBA) plan. The Detroit News also reports that the UAW rejected the VEBA as proposed by General Motors. The News reports that after the VEBA discussion was tabled, discussion shifted to an alternate proposal by GM to cut costs by reducing wages $5.00 per hour, increasing out-pocket healthcare costs, reducing vacation and other benefits. (Hmmm, do you suppose we might have a stake in there somewhere?) The alternate proposal also omits the future work guarantees sought by the union.