Token Auto Worker Strike at GM Ends

Early Wednesday, Sept 26, 2007, the United Auto Workers (UAW) announced a tentative four-year contract contract agreement with General Motors, ending a two-day nationwide strike. The principal result is shifting $51 billion in retiree health care costs to a UAW trust fund.

While the UAW strike is the first against GM since 1998 and the first nationwide GM walkout since 1970, I consider this a face saving token by union leadership. A real strike could hurt the the Union more than it hurts GM.

Any actual shutdown would only allow imports to take more market share.

73,000 UAW workers walked off the job Monday, but are wisely going right back to work.

Contracts with Ford and Chrysler ran out Sept. 14, but UAW extended those contracts during GM negotiations. GM's contract will be a pattern for Chrysler and Ford.