UAW slams GM for 'playing games' at expense of workers
The United Auto Workers lashed out at General Motors on Friday, accusing it of undermining its good-faith efforts to end the 26-day-old strike.
"The company’s strategy from day one has been to play games at the expense of the workers," the UAW said in a statement out Friday. "It has released half-truths, ripped away health care in the middle of the night and it reverted to previously weak and unacceptable proposals in response to the UAW’s comprehensive solutions."
The harsh language comes after GM sent a letter earlier Friday to its employees, updating them on its new offer to the UAW.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GM | GENERAL MOTORS CO. | 55.49 | +0.70 | +1.29% |
The automaker said that on Oct. 7 it presented an updated offer to the UAW, which would increase compensation and preserve health care benefits without raising out-of-pocket expenses. The offer also gives workers enhanced profit-sharing with unlimited upside and improves their ratification bonus. Temporary workers would also receive a clear path to permanent employment.
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"We have advised the Union that it’s critical that we get back to producing quality vehicles for our customers," GM Executive Vice President Gerald Johnson wrote in a letter to employees.
"We are committed to the collective bargaining process, and we are committed to our future together. Our success depends on one another. Our offer builds on the winning formula we have all benefitted from over the past several years. We remain focused on building a stronger future for everyone."
Friday's update comes after GM CEO Mary Barra met earlier this week with union president Gary Jones and vice president Terry Dittes in an effort to end the strike.
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Through Oct. 13, the strike will have erased $1.13 billion of GM profits, according to an analysis from Anderson Economic Group. UAW members will have lost out on more than $624 million of wages while the federal government and the state of Michigan will have taken hits of $250 million and $13.8 million respectively, according to the study.