Wagoner says no need to cut benefits to retirees
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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 Detroit 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. In Ohio, GM's operations include a major factory near Youngstown that produces the Cobalt and Pontiac G5 fuel-efficient cars.
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.
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UneducatedDrone
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01-09-09 11:19 AM
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lol Bill, the people get NAFTA confused because, basically, the people in this country are borderline retarded. That's how the rich get away with all that they DO get away with in this country. And the uneducated hillbillies just sit there scratching their collective heads saying "why do the rich get bailed out and the workers get screwed?"...and similar comments, you get the picture, lol. It's because we've been kept so stupid in this country, another reason why companies relocate overseas...they need a qualified, productive, competant labor force.
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Billdog
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01-09-09 9:40 AM
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NEWSREADER, NAFTA has nothing to do with the jobs that go overseas. North American Free Trade Act. North America is the US, Canada, and Mexico. I don't understand how so many confuse NAFTA with Asia, Europe, and Africa. It must be the lack of understanding and education that turns people into drones that are influanced by those that pry on your inability to read, or absorb information. Possibly a learning disabilty. The American auto makers started moving plants Mexico in the 70's and have been in Canada since the late 50's. So nothing really changed when NAFTA was put into law in the late 90's. I do not agree with NAFTA for its long term implications, but I do get upset when I hear or read that jobs in China and other area's of the world are the result of NAFTA.
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UselessGMRetiree
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01-08-09 9:01 PM
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lol :->
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goat13
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01-08-09 8:20 PM
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You guys are freakin me out.
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GMRetireeSuckingItDry
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01-08-09 8:10 PM
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I'm watching Caddyshack, lol. Deadbeats...cut 'em loose! lol
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jonathon
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01-08-09 8:05 PM
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everyone should be more concerned with that pillow puffer Barney Franks and Dodd. They got the ball rolling big time when they pressured all the lending institutions to give home loans to people who had no business at all getting one. I worry when Congress wants to have control over our auto industry and continues to have morons like Barney Fike in a finance position of authority. Recall this idiot and anyone else who betrays the American people. Yes I am a proud retired GM worker, and if that troubles you go*****an egg.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 8:01 PM
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bye i am going to watch the game also.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:56 PM
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you too
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:55 PM
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Dschweck 01-08-09 7:53 PM »Report Abuse I got out fat.Now I'm fatter and drunk most days.Plenty to spend.(for now) I hope you have plenty to spend, but I hope you are not drunk most days. Yes I really mean that.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:51 PM
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He sure is upset because you have a degree. Now since he found out you are a Women, what must he or she be thinking.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:46 PM
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WARREN OHIO it seem to me Dschweck used to work for GM. If not why does he care?
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:41 PM
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GM WORKERS DID NOT OK NAFTA,we can not do anything about our goverment letting jobs go overseas. That is why some people will not retire from there.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:37 PM
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RIGHT ON WARREN OHIO
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:34 PM
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Dschweck 01-08-09 7:32 PM »Report Abuse I am a hooker for Castro! YOU STILL NEED WORKING PEOPLE FOR YOUR SERVICES. DUH
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:29 PM
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Most of these HATERS don't understand that most of Delphi and GM's children are Degreed. WarrenOhio be proud that you have a degree. If the other people don't, then get one.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 7:26 PM
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WarrenOhio Thank you for your comments. I am a Delphi retiree. The HATERS on this board are just plain blind with Envy. I just can't figure out why they care. Most of them say if GM goes belly up it will not affect them. Why are they wasting their time commenting?
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JoeCool
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01-08-09 6:40 PM
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If GM turned over their plan to the gov't, the PBGC would go belly-up.
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OldManGrump2
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01-08-09 6:37 PM
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Thinker - read how little is guaranteed vs what GM retirees are currently getting and medical benefits are not guaranteed.. ***********pbgc.gov/workers-retirees/benefits-information/content/page789.html
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GMRetireeSuckingItDry
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01-08-09 6:27 PM
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Yep, better save your money now, cuz it's coming.
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UselessGMRetiree
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01-08-09 6:25 PM
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...can't wait 'til Robert S. Miller takes over, lol.
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JoeCool
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01-08-09 6:14 PM
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Liten, folks, I for one am tremendously thankful for GM lifting up our economy. If it wasn't for you and all you retirees, there would be nothing interesting on the news. Our economy, our property value, and our entire lives revolve around the precious jewel we have in Lordstown, Ohio. Without GM, I would have no reason to visit our local GM mechanic at least once a month. When I get my paycheck every other week, I look down and imagine Jim Graham's name as the signatory. You guys are the best and you deserve what you earned! I'll call Rev. John "Build Me A Bigger" Temple and see if we can't get you all in the We Care program, too, just in case the concessions are a little too deep for you.
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dennie67
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01-08-09 5:30 PM
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There are no worker's at GM, Ford, or Chrysler. One hour on a shakeout line in a foundry and you'll quit crying about making $30 per hour screwing in a sun visor.
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NEWSREADER
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01-08-09 4:41 PM
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MYVIEW I am a Delphi retiree also and I agree with you 100%. I am sorry about you and your husbands health and I pray God will take care of you. Some of these people are so Hateful on this board. But, What goes around comes around.
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MYVIEW
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01-08-09 4:23 PM
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great health care we have= we may not even be alive today- I know how rough it is out there now- my kids have minimum wage jobs(and they have good educations but there are no jobs for them) and are barely making it and I thank GOD that due to the fact I do get a pension I can help my grandkids have decent school clothes and food on their table! Please think before you say that workers at the auto plants do not deserve to have 'Quality of Life!
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MYVIEW
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01-08-09 4:18 PM
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I AM A PACKARD RETIREE- AND I REALLY AM UPSET ABOUT THE WAY SOME OF THE PEOPLE ON HERE THINK THAT THE RETIREES SHOULD NOT GET A PENSION! WE DESERVE WHAT WE GET- WE WORKED HARD FOR IT- I NEVER HAD A JOB WHERE ALL I DID WAS SLEEP OR READ A NEWSPAPER AS SOME SAY WE DID! I WORKED ON A CONVEYOR PLUGGING WIRES INTO CAR AND TRUCK HARNASSES- AND WE HAD A RATE-AND IF WE GOT BEHIND WE HAD A 'BOS' UP OUR BUTT WANTING TO KNOW WHY. THEN I CHANGED TO A LABORERS JOB- AND PICKED UP 100'S OF DESK CHAIRS A NIGHT- AND STRIPPED THE FLOORS= MOPPED AND WAX THEM= I RAN A JACKHAMMER FOR HOURS AT A TIME-EVEN THOUGH I AM NOT A BIG WOMAN- I SWEPT DEPARTMENTS THAT AS SOON AS YOU SWEPT THEM THEY NEEDED IT Again- I cleaned filthy restrooms- scrubbing 100's of toilets and urinals- We worked at our jobs and we are entitiled to the pensions that we Get and the union negotiated for us. Especially now that we are older and our health is failing- my husband has heart problems- I have had cancer- and if it was not for
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