Wagoner: No Need to Cut Benefits to Retirees
Last Edited: Thursday, 08 Jan 2009, 9:05 AM EST Created: Thursday, 08 Jan 2009, 8:08 AM EST
General Motors Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner
NEW YORK
(AP) -- General Motors Corp. Chief Executive Rick
Wagoner said Thursday the
Detroit
automaker can survive long-term without cutting benefits to retired workers.
Wagoner made the remarks on NBC's "Today" show, where he was joined by United
Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger. The two made the appearance from
Warren, Mich., ahead of their renewed labor negotiations scheduled to begin next
week.
The $13.4 billion federal loan package granted to GM last month requires that
the UAW make concessions and also demands that GM submit a restructuring plan to
the government by March 31.
Wagoner said he is confident both sides will reach agreement on changes needed
to the company's labor contract.
"I'm confident that we'll come together and get the kind of changes that we
need," Wagoner said.
Gettelfinger said the union will ensure that "what we do is done in the best
interest of our members as well as our retirees."
Wagoner added that the much-cited $10-an-hour wage difference between GM
autoworkers and workers at U.S. plants owned by foreign automakers is
overstated, saying "it may be a little on the high side." He said productivity
at the company's factories is among the highest in North America.
Wagoner also said that despite criticism he faced at the time, he never
considered resigning during the bailout hearings that took place in November and
December, even if it would have improved the bailout's chance of passing. He
also reiterated that GM had set aside discussions with rival Chrysler LLC about
a possible merger.
The White House approved $4 billion in loans for Chrysler last month, with loans
for both automakers being funded by the $700 billion Wall Street bailout package
passed last year.
Both companies are struggling for survival in an industry that is in the midst
of its worst sales slump in decades. On Monday, GM said its U.S. auto sales in
December fell 31 percent while Chrysler's sales plunged 53 percent.
Now, watch this guy in the interview and then decide if you think it is your obligation to inform Mr. Wagoner that you are a SALARIED GM retiree and you have lost your GM Health benefits!
Click Here to watch interview: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/28556043/#28556043
This is Mr. Wagoner’s contact information:
E - Mail: rick.wagoner@gm.com New E-Mail Address - As of 3-10-09
Mr.
Richard Wagoner
General Motors
300 Renaissance Center
Detroit, Michigan 48265-3000
Mail Code: 482-C39-B50
OR
Fax:
815-282-6156
Please take time to E-Mail/Write and/or Fax Mr. Wagoner now! Just copy this page and send it to him by mail and/or fax. He will get the message!
01234010809399