GM, UAW defend health care deal in court
GM and the UAW found themselves in an unusual position on
Monday - teaming up to defend their November 2005 deal to cut GM's healthcare costs. On the other side of the table -
retired GM workers, who maintain that the deal unfairly dumps health care costs in their laps, despite GM's promise to
provide them with full health benefits for life.About 1,250 retirees have filed formal objections to the deal in federal court, putting the UAW in the unusual role of defending GM. The UAW cannot legally bargain on behalf of retired workers.
The UAW/GM deal would save the automaker about $1 billion a year in health care costs, while costing individual retirees about $370 per year.
The UAW has long advocated a comprehensive, single payer national health care plan.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
DriftPunch 3:41PM (3/07/2006)
Wait for the fireworks when the UAW rank and file realize what 'single payer' really means. No longer would they have the world class standard they used to have... Upon learning that their benefits are equal to a welfare queen watching Jerry Springer every day, they will cry foul. They will cry even harder once they realize that co-pays (which would have to be used to control demand), would only apply to those who can 'afford' them...
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Puff Chippy 3:59PM (3/07/2006)
Boo hoo, we all have sacrifices to make and all they're asking for is $30 a month. Why don't these people file a formal objection with their congressman and ask why it is all Americans can't have the same sweetheart health insurance deal they get then it wouldn't matter what GM or any other company does.
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mavkato 4:01PM (3/07/2006)
Hopefully the retirees realize that if they are unwilling to take a reduction, there will be no more GM to pay any of their healthcare costs.
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