With a little more than a week before contracts with Detroit’s automakers expire, two United Auto Workers vice presidents used letters to reassure local leaders that negotiations are progressing — but stressed the union is prepared to strike.
The UAW is negotiating first with General Motors Co., a move that comes as GM is moving to close four U.S. plants. In letters sent Thursday to local union leaders at GM and Ford Motor Co., the vice presidents implied that striking would be a last resort as officials negotiate contracts set to expire at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 14.
Talks between GM and the union “are progressing slowly,” Vice President Terry Dittes, director of the UAW’s GM department, said in a letter obtained by The Detroit News. Vice President Rory Gamble, head of the union’s Ford department, wrote that subcommittees have reached tentative agreements, but “larger economic issues remain.” Both said strikes are on the table after the current contract expires.
“A strike is difficult and always the last resort when negotiations break down,” Gamble wrote. “We are not at that point, but we are prepared if a strike is required.”
He also said it’s not uncommon for the company and the UAW to extend the existing contract. Dittes wrote that the negotiations are moving slowly because of GM’s responses to the union members’ proposals.
“We remain committed to reaching an agreement that will provide our membership with a fair share of the enormous profits earned by the company,” Dittes wrote. He specifically mentioned improved wages, benefits, pensions, profit sharing and cost-of-living adjustments.
The letters were sent to GM and Ford local union presidents, shop chairpersons, vice presidents, financial secretaries and recording secretaries. A UAW-GM National Council Meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15 in Detroit.
“We will not know the agenda until hours before the meeting,” Dittes wrote. “It may be to vote on a tentative agreement, or the company’s current offer on the table, or other necessary actions.”
Gamble said the UAW-Ford bargaining committee stands ready as UAW and GM bargainers negotiate the “lead” contract that typically shapes the “pattern” agreements with the remaining automakers. He urged members to be cautious of rumors.
“Many entities against us are attempting to skew perception,” Gamble wrote. “It is imperative that we are not misguided about these negotiations by rumors, misinformation or outside influences. We cannot run at the first sign of trouble, nor jump to conclusions at every speculation.”
khall@detroitnews.com
Twitter: @bykaleahall
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