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UAW Urges Strike Authorization Votes

Posted on: Wednesday, 3 May 2006, 21:00 CDT

CHICAGO _ Pumping up the pressure on Delphi Corp., the United Auto Workers union on Wednesday called on its locals to carry out strike authorization votes.

The union is gearing up for the start of a federal bankruptcy court hearing for the giant auto parts manufacturer on May 9 in New York and, as UAW officials in Detroit noted, a strike vote is one part of the union's strategy.

Taking a strike vote is a routine move in the high-stakes negotiations often played out by unions and companies. Unions represent 33,000 workers at Delphi, including 24,000 who belong to the UAW.

As a solution to its financial problems in the United States, Delphi, the world's second-largest parts maker, has asked the bankruptcy court to set aside its unions contracts. But, at the same time, the company said it would continue to bargain with the unions in an effort to avoid such action.

It has also laid out plans to close 21 out of 29 factories and seek sweeping changes in its contracts with the unions for the remaining workers.

The unions have fought back in legal arguments and public statements, claiming that Delphi moved too quickly to set aside it contracts, and challenging the depth of Delphi's financial problems.

"Though a strike is the last resort, we have shown that we will do what we have to do," said Art Reyes, vice president of UAW Local 651 in Flint, Mich. His 2,500-worker plant is one of those that Delphi plans to close or sell.

"Everyone has just been saying that we have to be prepared to do what we have to do to react to what ever the (bankruptcy) court does," he added.

On the factory floor, the major question, Reyes added, is whether the bankruptcy court judge will view the workers "as people or just as numbers."

Meanwhile, Delphi and General Motors Corp. have extended the deadline for union members to accept their retirement or buyout offers, UAW officials.

The companies had previously set an early June deadline for the process that they hope will trim thousands from their payrolls, helping to reduce their financial problems.

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(c) 2006, Chicago Tribune.

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Source: Chicago Tribune

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