UAW Boss Ron Gettelfinger: I Spit on Your Buyouts!

Robert Farago
by Robert Farago

WTF, right? If I was a United Auto Workers worker looking at a pile of cash to piss off during these End of Days times, I’d grab it with both hands and get the Hell out of Dodge, Chrysler, Ford, GM, etc. But it seems UAW boss Ron Gettelfinger doesn’t think domestic automakers can bribe any more of his members to quit their jobs. “I’m not sure the value of a buyout at this point and time,” Big Ron told The Detroit News’ Johnny-on-the-spot at a Goodfellows awards ceremony honoring the union boss. (And no, I’m not making this shit up.) “Gettelfinger reasoned that UAW-protected autoworkers who were in the position to leave their jobs would have taken one of the previous rounds of buyouts and early retirement offers and he didn’t see the ‘effectiveness’ of another round.” For whom? If he means the automakers themselves, I’m down with that. Anyway, guess what? Ron reckons the $52b Mother of all Health Care Funds (a.k.a. VEBA) is still alive. And that’s final! “We do not want to open up VEBA. That was one of the most difficult and challenging decisions I ever had to make.” Compared to what, your choice of retirement villas? I kid. I kid.

Robert Farago
Robert Farago

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 3 comments
  • Br549 Br549 on Oct 24, 2008

    I actually think rather highly of mine (offer that is) but then again, it's not the first time "brother" Ron and I have had differing opinions.

  • Adub Adub on Oct 24, 2008

    My question is how could the UAW could ever think the VEBA was going to be funded in the first place? $30-50 billion in automaker contributions? How did they think the automakers could come up with the money when they lose that much per year?

  • Redbarchetta Redbarchetta on Oct 24, 2008

    He's just pissed because everyone who takes a buyout means one less union worker paying dues. Hmm and don't dues pay his fat ass salary. He is crazy if he thinks that VEBA is going to be fully funded by all the automakers if he even has any money to steel at all. VEBA=UAW top brass retirement fund

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