Rebuttal

UAW fights to keep good-paying auto jobs

James Harbour, who attacks members of our union for exercising their democratic rights, built a lucrative business as a manufacturing consultant ("UAW gives comfort to Big 3 competitors," June 26).

Harbour is now retired — but just imagine his reaction if one of his clients had told him: "We want your services again this year — but we’re only going to pay you half as much." Would Harbour have meekly said yes and continued the contract? Or used his available leverage to negotiate better terms?

That’s exactly the situation faced by our members at American Axle, when CEO Richard Dauch demanded pay and benefit cuts of 50 percent or more. This from an executive who paid himself more than $10.7 million in 2007 and took more than $258 million in total compensation from American Axle in the past 10 years.

Harbour accuses our union of using "brute force" against employers. What is it but brute force when a multimillionaire at a profitable company tells workers: "Take a pay cut or I will move your job to Mexico."

For evidence of our union’s long-term strategy, Harbour might want to consult the most recent Harbour Report, which identifies another year of dramatic improvements in efficiency at UAW-represented auto plants.

In the past several years, our union has negotiated innovative labor agreements that cut costs, preserve jobs and enhance workplace flexibility. We have also advocated new public policies to support the production of a new generation of clean, green vehicles here in the United States.

Harbour’s real criticism is not that the UAW lacks a "strategy." It’s that he doesn’t like the strategy we are following, which insists our members have a voice in the future of our industry.

We make no apologies for fighting for good wages and good benefits — and for fighting to keep good-paying jobs in our communities.

Ron Gettelfinger

President

United Auto Workers

Detroit