UAW membership falls 13.6% in 2007
UAW membership falls 13.6% in 2007
Automotive News | March 28, 2008 - 4:24 pm EST
DETROIT — The UAW’s membership, beset by a wave of automaker buyouts, last year fell by more than 73,000 workers to a new post-World War II low.
In its annual report to the U.S. Department of Labor, the UAW said its total membership fell 13.6 percent, from 538,448 members at the end of 2006 to 464,910 members at the end of 2007. The union’s membership peaked at 1.5 million in 1979 and has dropped ever since as automakers increased assembly line automation and reduced U.S. operations.
Despite the drop in membership, the union’s finances appear relatively stable. The UAW listed total assets of $1.25 billion in 2007, compared with $1.27 billion in 2006.
The union collected $327.6 million in receipts and spent $330.3 million. In 2006, it collected $303.8 million in receipts and spent $304.9 million. The increased revenue came mostly from interest earnings, sale of investments and other receipts, the union statement said.
Top union officials received modest salary increases. UAW President Ron Gettelfinger collected a salary of $150,763, up from $145,125 in 2006.
The rapid drop in UAW membership is widely expected to continue this year as General Motors, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC all offer another round of rank-and-file buyouts.
