Jalopnik: ron gettelfinger

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger To Retire In 2010

Ray Wert — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 11:45:00 EDT

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to retire in 2010. [Freep]

UAW: Senate GOP Voted Against Bailout To Strike "Blow Against Organized Labor"

Ray Wert — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 10:41:17 EST

At a press conference today, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger read an e-mail indicating Senate GOP members played political games, voting against the auto bailout bill as an attack against organized labor.

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger read an e-mail he claimed was from Senate GOP staffers indicating the Senate GOP was trying to deliver a blow to organized labor and the UAW. The alleged e-mail states:

"Republicans should stand firm and take their first blow against organized labor rather than from it...again, the hardest thing for the Democrats to do is get 60 votes. If we can hold the Republicans, we can beat this."

Later in the press conference, Gettelfinger claimed the Republican minority in the Senate voted against cloture on the Senate bill as an attack on the UAW due to their political effectiveness against their membership.

Alex Taylor on CNBC put this whole debate over UAW wages, whatever they may be, into perspective as he said labor cost per car are really only about $800 per car, so even if the UAW were to work for free, it wouldn't save GM from failing in the month of December.

Thank you Senate Republicans, for putting politics in front of staving off Carpocalypse Now. [via CNBC]

Caption This: Rick And Ron Edition

The Auto Insider — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:52:53 EST

Photo Credit: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images News

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger Flying To DC, Hates American Taxpayers?

Ray Wert — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:15:00 EST

Jeff Gilbert with WWJ 950 AM had a chance to talk to UAW President Ron Gettelfinger just minutes ago after a meeting with UAW local heads on reexamination of their contracts (including nixing of the Jobs Bank, as we'd predicted) with the not-so-Big Three. Gilbert asked him what he'd be doing next. His response? He's heading to the airport tomorrow morning. That's right, while the CEOs of each of the U.S. automakers are driving to tomorrow's Congressional hearing, Ron'll be flying the friendly skies to Washington, DC. Apparently either the UAW hates the American taxpayer or Ron's just not so much into symbolic gestures given he doesn't have a corporate jet.

UAW In Talks To Kill Jobs Bank?

Ray Wert — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 09:00:00 EST

We just received a hot-off-the-wires report from the WSJ that the UAW is currently in talks with some of the not-so-Big Three to kill the "Jobs Bank" program. The program, a bane of contention by everyone but the UAW and it's membership since the inception of unionized labor at automakers, basically pays workers when they're not working. Good for the membership? Sure. Good for the automakers? Not so much. Good for everyone's image? Not in the least.

Although UAW officials and their allies counter the banks have been an effective way to keep a flexible job pool available and allow the companies to implement new technology while reducing overall numbers responsibly. More view that as complete hogwash.

Not much is known as of yet about specifics on the discussions. As of now we've only got a wire service report from the Journal telling us:

"The United Auto Workers union is in talks with some of Detroit's Big Three auto makers to stop a program that pays idled workers - WSJ"

Guess we'll have to wait for more. You'll hear it as soon as we hear it.

[via WSJ]

UAW, Obama Riding McCain On Owning Foreign Cars Like Rest Of Country

Andrew Stoy — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 12:06:00 EDT

Sen. John McCain took heat yesterday from UAW president Ron Gettelfinger for three of his thirteen vehicles being foreign-made. Now McCain's taking heat from the Obama campaign in a new attack ad so heavily protectionism-flavored, it's a good thing the ad's just running in the Great Lakes state. Yes, Michigan, a land that unlike the rest of the nation, remains a magical place where American cars still outsell foreign cars.

While the overtones of protectionism are strong, the nuts n' bolts of the ad are all about whether McCain's just a no-good dirty flip-flopper. Gettelfinger claims a recent article by Newsweek's Keith Naughton contradicts McCain's statement that he has proudly bought American-made cars all his life. Registration records show among McCain's 13 vehicles are a Honda sedan, a drop-top Volkswagen and Cindy's personal Lexus, while his campaign also states that the Republican presidential nominee is a proud ~~Buick~~ Cadillac owner. We assume McCain meant that he's proudly bought American cars all his life, but not just American cars. After all, that's a lot of years to have never taken a dip in the import pool. McCain's also been questioned by reporters about whether a Toyota Prius his daughter owns was purchased by her or by Daddy McCain. McCain responded by first saying he purchased it, and then later saying he could not remember whether he'd bought the car himself.

Gettelfinger reiterated "Americans are free to buy whatever they choose," presumably clearing his throat while saying "as long as it's made in the USA by union workers and you're not a presidential candidate pandering for votes in the rust belt." Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama and his wife currently share a Ford Escape Hybrid, which, along with the Obama's previous Jeep Grand Cherokee, and HEMI-powered Chrysler 300C apparently receive an approving wink and touch of the nose from the UAW. And in Michigan, that's all you normally need. [Detroit News; Photo Credit: PoliticsUSA]

Gettelfinger Heads To Ford Motor For Labor Talks

tingwall — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 14:15:00 EDT

Labor talks between the UAW and Ford are ramping up as UAW President Ron Gettelfinger arrived at Ford headquarters this morning to participate in the negotiations. Chrysler and GM have already settled their contracts for the next four years, but both automakers had to deal with brief strikes while negotiations were finalized. A UAW strike deadline for Ford is expected soon, but it's likely that an agreement will be reached before a strike becomes necessary. Ford is expected to seek more concessions than GM or Chrysler received, as the company lost $12.6 billion last year. Both Ford and the UAW say they hope they can conclude negotiations this week. [The Detroit News]

UAW Chairman Ron Gettelfinger Makes It Clear: "The UAW Is On Strike"

Ray Wert — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 12:58:02 EDT

We've been talking to a few PR folks from the General today — trying to make heads or tails of the impact of the UAW's decision to hit the picket lines against GM. And each one of them told me they didn't believe the UAW had actually gone on strike and that it was some kind of a mistake or something. The cacophony of noise coming out of the RenCen that this wasn't really a strike was so high a number of local and national newscasts had tickers running across the bottom of the screen stating that a 12:15 PM press conference by Ron Gettelfinger was to tell people there wasn't a strike. (Heck, check this out — even GMInsideNews bought into it.)To each of them we explained "we were just there in Lansing — there's nobody on the assembly lines there — you know that, right?" Well, UAW chieftain Ron Gettelfinger was unambiguous and clear at the press conference — to, you know, dispel any of these faulty PR staffer notions that they aren't out on the lines:

"The UAW is on strike...we have no intention of removing UAW workers from the picket line..."

More of what else "Rowdy Rowdy" Ron Gettelfinger had to say after the jump.

"Since Labor Day...GM gave us every reason to believe movement on the issues would occur. Since then...GM has moved on one issue — a cap on profit sharing. There was no movement we felt in the sub-group breakouts on every other issue."
"The UAW will go back to the bargaining table today...and we have the expectation they [GM] will move rather expeditiously..."

"...UAW wants to wrap up this strike and these negotiations as quickly as possible..."

"...job security is certainly an issue...but let me be clear here, the strike is not about the VEBA...but, while we're on the subject of the VEBA, since you bring it up, I'd like to remind people — and this is something we haven't been talking up — GM walked away from the VEBA in '05...and if it had been agreed to, it would have saved them $2 billion."

GM And UAW Try To Play Nice Too

Ray Wert — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:00:00 EDT

Man, the UAW totally gets around, don't they? After UAW chieftain Ron Gettelfinger shook hands with Tom "Keeps The Weight Off" LaSorda on Friday, now he's shaking hands this morning with the general over at the General. So, just as we asked you to do twice already for the Chrysler group, now's your turn to help us caption this GM-UAW handshake of automotive titans. Keep your browsers here at the UAW tag if you want to see the Alan "Boeing, Boeing, Gone!" Mulally handshake later today.

Picture Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News

Tom LaSorda And Ron Gettelfinger Shake Hands, Agree To Try And Play Nice: Take Two

Ray Wert — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 13:15:00 EDT

Thanks to Nick Bunkley over at the New York Times, we're hearing the handshake between Tom LaSorda and Ron Gettelfinger was so nice they allowed the photographers to take it twice. We're told it was to accommodate the crushing numbers of folks seeking to snap a shot of history in action. We, on the other hand, think it's obviously out of a desire to show off these two handsome men of industry (and labor). So since y'all enjoyed it the first time, now here's your second chance to help us caption this photo. [via NYT]

Tom LaSorda And Ron Gettelfinger Shake Hands, Agree To Try And Play Nice

Ray Wert — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:00:00 EDT

Since no reporters were allowed into the "photo op" of the Gettelfinger-LaSorda handshake, and since it's Friday we figured it's time to have some fun. So why don't you help us caption this photo of the beginning of UAW-Chrysler negotiations?

Picture Credit: Bill Pugliano / Getty Images News

A "square deal" drives the UAW? Maybe they...

Ray Wert — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:15:00 EDT

A "square deal" drives the UAW? Maybe they should be worried more about retaining three "square meals" a day? [Freep]

Gettelfinger Pats GM On Head For Delphi Agreement

Ray Wert — Mon, 25 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EDT

The man in charge of the UAW doesn't for a moment credit Delphi for the agreement worked out at the end of last week between the union, the auto parts supplier and General Motors. Nope, he's giving some mad praises to the General, saying this morning on a local Detroit radio station:

"If it weren't for [GM Money Man] Fritz Henderson and his team...then this agreement never would have come about..."

Aww, isn't that adorable to see Ron playing all nice and stuff with GM? Yes, we think so. But don't ask us what he said about Delphi — ooh, those two never get along! – Ray Wert

Gettelfinger praises General Motors; blasts Delphi management over union deal [AP via Detroit News]

Gettelfinger Says UAW Needs To Give Cerberus-Backed Chrysler Some Cheddar Back

Ray Wert — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:15:00 EDT

The chieftain of the UAW was asked this morning by a local Detroit radio station whether the UAW was prepared to meet with Chrysler desires for health care concessions equivalent to those given to FoMoCo and the General. His response was "we do need to find a way to fix the problem there now that Chrysler is in a downward mode." Well — at least he's willing to help the new toy owned by Cerberus when it's down. That's better than the former standard UAW practice of the swift kick to the mommy-daddy button when an automaker is on its knees. – Ray Wert

Gettelfinger: UAW needs to give Chrysler concessions [Freep]

Continuing The Chrysler Group Sales Speculation: What Gettelfinger Wants, Gettelfinger Gets!

Ray Wert — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 15:00:00 EDT

For every new day it seems like we're getting more and more speculation, rumor and non-news on the potential for a Chrysler Group sale. Today's batch comes over the back fence to us from Bloomberg News and The Wall Street Journal. The Journal's reporting that the more-equal-than-others side of the German-American hybrid is looking to have a short list of potential suitors for the 'merican side by the general shareholder meeting on April 4th in Berlin. Whether or not it'll be a late April Fool's Day surprise is anyone's guess. Bloomberg News on the other hand is reporting some non-news in the form of an interview with UAW President Ron Gettelfinger on WJR-AM in Detroit. Gettelfinger's reported as saying he thinks it'd be a good idea for DaimlerChrysler to retain the second half of it's name,

"We want to keep Chrysler Group in the family...I'm not ready to concede Chrysler Group is going to come out of DaimlerChrysler."

Strong words there Ron — now what are you going to do about it? Vote against it at the board meeting perhaps? Ok, so that means the vote will be everyone minus one in favor of cutting Chrysler and one against. – Ray Wert

Report: UAW president says Chrysler shouldn't be sold [Detroit News]

UAW's Gettelfinger Waxes On Ford, Gives No Opinion On Chrysler-GM Combo

Ray Wert — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:55:18 EST

Apparently the way UAW head honcho Ron Gettelfinger sees it, there's really nothing to say about this whole GM-buying-Chrysler bug everyone's caught. Earlier today on WJR Radio in Detroit, the chieftain of the auto workers said "I have absolutely no opinion on that at all...It may end up that it's not sold. Who knows?" That may make Ron the one industry insider out there who's truly calling it as they see it — because really, other than that one person who knows "better than anyone else covering the business out there" — who the hell really knows what's going on right now, or what it means in the long run? But what we do know is that industry navel-gazers have been concerned about what the UAW's reaction is and it sounds like they should just take a step back and wait, because it doesn't look like Ron or is his organization's ready to, or even has, any cards to show on it. But whereas the G-unit's mum on Chrysler and GM, he does know he's not going to be giving the third of the traditional big three any slack in negotiations beginning this summer. G-money's quoted as saying:

"They just went through this huge financing. They've got a ton of cash. They've got great leadership at the top of that company...they've made some tough decisions but so...

...have we. That company is in great shape."

I don't quite know whether sitting on a load of loaned cash is what's normally considered to be "great shape," but hell, that position describes what'll be happening to a load of UAW workers in FoMoCo assembly plants if things continue to go up shit's creek. Does that means Ron's just looking to provide them with a paddle? – Ray Wert

UAW Says "No Opinion" on Possible GM - Chrysler Deal [NYT]

Photo By: Alex Wong / Getty Images News

UAWeb 2.0: Union Chief Heads Online To Answer Questions From Membership

Ray Wert — Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:45:21 EST

It would appear even those titanic old-timers of the manufacturing industry, the UAW, is looking for a better way to answer membership questions — and it includes an online Q&A with UAW prez Ron Gettelfinger. The union boss addressed a number of topics in the online discussion today on the UAW web site including pensions, the Metro Detroit automakers and the union's strategy going into next year's contract negotiations. No word on whether he also addressed the question of relevancy — but hey, it's a start. – Ray Wert

Gettelfinger goes online to answer UAW members' questions [Detroit News]

Related:
The UAW Calling For "Respekt" In Kansas City [internal]

Gettelfinger As Soup Nazi: "No More Concessions For Delphi!"

Ray Wert — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 13:48:23 EDT

Well, it's close enough to warrant the picture — but can you blame the UAW chief? Ron's watched as 54,000 of his members took early retirement or forced to take up to a 50% cut in salary — while at the same time, 467 white-collared workers received a bonus for you know, not letting the company slide into the darkness during bankruptcy. So we guess we can understand why the guy'd be of the opinion that:

"If you take the supplemental agreement and the attrition package that they have in place, that puts the company where they need to be by any stretch of the imagination...there's nothing else left for us to negotiate."

Guess that mean's Delphi will actually have to sell some products this year rather than look for white-collar workers getting bonuses via the old fashioned way — wringing it out of union workers pay stubs. – Ray Wert

UAW chief: No more concessions for Delphi [Freep]

Breaking! UAW Holds Special Super-Double-Secret Ford Meeting

Ray Wert — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 10:00:00 EDT

UAW leadership for all FoMoCo plants in the US met yesterday afternoon under direction of UAW head Ron Gettelfinger and Bob King, the new veep in charge of contract talks with the Dearborn-based automaker. Although local leaders speculated the topic of the meeting was buyouts, specifically the company-wide kind — no one knew for sure. The Freep's Sarah Webster reports the meeting focused on what might be done to help the automaker with as many ailments as autos and the UAW's statement backs that report up:

"Local union leaders met today to discuss the ideas and input of UAW-Ford workers about the current situation at Ford. We're focused on our continued efforts to deliver top-quality vehicles to consumers, because UAW members know that the surest route to job security is a strong recovery for Ford in its core North American market."

Webster's also reporting that workers at FoMoCo's Woodhaven stamping plant have ratified a new agreement that allows for Ford to offer more than 325 buyouts phased in through the remainder of the year.

While that's good and all — if the reported goal of shedding 25% of the automakers 140,000-strong NorAm workforce is correct, 325 is merely a drop in the bucket. We really hope they aren't going stamping plant by stamping plant to finish up the other 34, 675 buyouts — cause the "Way Forward" will end up becoming the "Way Forever" plan.

More buyouts on way for Ford plant [Freep]

Breaking! UAW Strike At Delphi Still An Option

Ray Wert — Mon, 17 Jul 2006 13:47:50 EDT

Ron Gettelfinger, UAW President and potential next spokesperson for "Just For Men Gel", responded to questions from reporters today during a break in a hearing on Chinese trade practices at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. The most important question asked was whether the UAW Prez saw a strike as a possibility. Ron's response:

"We have not ruled out any of our options...I think the attrition package got them where they [Delphi] need to be, and they act like nothing has changed."

Also, Gettelfinger did say yes to the question of whether there would be more meetings before August 11th, the date of postponement of more hearings on Delphi's bankruptcy restructuring. He gave no indication as to whether he'd be bringing danishes or bagels. Our bet? Bagels.

UAW president says Delphi strike still a possibility [Detroit News]