One three-month period of profitability after years losses may be reason to cheer, but it hardly justifies going back to the old ways of doing things, right? Nonetheless, according to The Detroit News, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka this week called on General Motors, Ford and Chrysler to give back the concessions that the UAW made in the last couple of years as they companies went through bankruptcy. Trumka was speaking at the UAW's constitutional convention in Detroit.
Members of the UAW certainly gave up a lot in terms of both present and future benefits as well as wages for new employees, but industry watchers suggest that sales are still weak the companies are hardly thriving. Further, all automakers will also have to deal with developing vehicles that meet new fuel economy and CO2 standards over the next several years. In particular, GM and Chrysler need to launch new products and continue to streamline costs in order to be viable.
It's also unclear what, exactly, could be given back. Obviously, programs like the jobs bank are unlikely to be restored and the absence of total reform in the health care system means that restoring retiree health car programs are probably not on the table, either.
[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Chris Hondros/Getty]
Members of the UAW certainly gave up a lot in terms of both present and future benefits as well as wages for new employees, but industry watchers suggest that sales are still weak the companies are hardly thriving. Further, all automakers will also have to deal with developing vehicles that meet new fuel economy and CO2 standards over the next several years. In particular, GM and Chrysler need to launch new products and continue to streamline costs in order to be viable.
It's also unclear what, exactly, could be given back. Obviously, programs like the jobs bank are unlikely to be restored and the absence of total reform in the health care system means that restoring retiree health car programs are probably not on the table, either.
[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Chris Hondros/Getty]
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