Gettelfinger on Ford Deal

" Union rejects a tentative deal with Ford and says it won't -- back to the bargaining table. What can be done to get forty and it workers on the same page Ron Gettelfinger is the president of the UAW good to see you Ron thank you for being here. Well thank you Alexis for having -- on what happened did the deal is this antique."

" Well I think part of it is and fatigue Alexis if you go back and look you know we have negotiation channel Fareed. Mid contract till five and then -- sex we want and is -- Ford millions of dollars through modern operating agreements that we had. Negotiations again and I was seven. We came back in hole ate -- before we want and the Washington. Wet bar counsel have we made some changes which -- authorized to do. Under the contracts and and we made a major changes for forward in February of this year. For us to come back it was a voluntary thing on the company's part of our part and a membership just didn't. -- to accept it."

" When you and I spoke we talked back on October 14 and I say to you this looks to me Ron. Like a lousy deal for Ford UAW workers. You sent the following thing to -- who want to play this and then get your reaction."

" Well I don't know exactly where you're coming from on that Alexis tell us this is a win win them for the company as well as for the workers. What of the workers say -- it looks like they don't believe it's a win win. Well. Gratification -- process is political as you know. How we -- did not do a good job but Soledad to our membership we underestimated. The fatigue if you will. Of the people constantly have to -- make a decision on a contract but look this was not a concessionary agreement and it was a win win it was a win for us. And it was a win for the company. We have product commitments are -- as long term which would give us longer term -- job security. The people solve those three things in that agreement. That bothered down wind was limited arbitration. On wage and benefit improvements. Along like. And then mechanical skill drapes changed and no changes an entry level which would put them on par with GM and Chrysler. But we overlap and we were unable. To convince her membership that difference in our best interest but not. Memberships highest authority and our union and I have the final site that we respect that and we accept it. Haven't said that Ford workers are going to continue to work very hard. We afford to make sure that they maintain a momentum that they have going. Because our membership once this company to be profitable."

" you know look at look at this today and they're going to say. Fit and if it's enough fatigue about doing multiple deals with Ford you said Ford gotta be competitive with GM and Chrysler. There can say. That confession this year while wiping out any potential upside that we had in wages and compensation. I understand this strike provision only. Dealt with issues are related to wages but they wanted and they said. There is no upside for us here and this is the only domestic auto maker who was --"

" Bright and if you go back and look at part of the reason for that is because of men and women of the UAW elections have stood up repeatedly. Look if you put this in dollars and cents. From a voluntarily standpoint this -- very -- to afford. Going forward in what about more tongue but. Compared to what we did it nearly half a billion dollars. In -- and you are excuse me February February 15. About this this much more just a -- I mean the contract but I gotta say that yes. -- always of the modern operating agreements that have many many in fact most of all forward locations have in place now. Is also something up one employees at the other companies at a company come out of hand off. Our membership is working very very hard with -- if you look at our quality look at their productivity. And that's in just one little. Plates and -- road little bump will move forward will not be an issue."

" You think that you faded paint this meant very little to afford. But it meant a lot to your UAW worker -- and yet you factor with me on October 14. Repeatedly said it's a win only in her forehead and for the foreign workers. Why had you are married and changed about this because it appeared as though. It wasn't a good deal for your workers and that's why they overwhelmingly reject."

" It it well now Alexis let me say this I would say to you today that this was a win win. The fact that the membership rejected it simply means that we did not do a good enough job it out in the field getting our message out. We got overridden by the fact that people -- hanging on to this issue. About arbitration all wage and benefit improvements only. That doesn't mean the difference and how to win win agreement. You cannot sector today and tell me that product -- longer term product commitment is not a win for our membership and for our job security. And the fact it may not mean ought to many people that affected these folks have been back to that voting Booth. Five times means a lot of down. And look. We work hard to make sure forward prosper and grow we are going to continue to do that. And that in many people's my hands and our members' lives they said hey wait a minute this company still well we don't need to do anymore. -- my dear -- not want to second guess or speculate I would accept responsibility. Our staff worked hard vice president worked hard everybody worked hard I was not able to put the message out in Santa won't that a membership body into."

" So -- is this deal over when would you go back to the drawing board or is this finished."

" Well as far as the official bargaining stance on both sides and as I indicated to -- Forward -- was willing to go we -- and February voluntarily. We were -- to go back. In the later part of the summer. Early fall. And work this out. But a Lexus. Negotiations does not want to a lot of people think they are these companies whether it's at the local level and our art our level. Negotiations go on every day. That's why the companies in a position area say your filthy and you want to know whether or. We're going to continue to work with forward like we do every day to make sure. That they maintain. Their competitiveness. That they -- us good quality product and look regardless of what all we've done you've heard me say before you can't take everything off the backs of the workers. Let's do not diminish the role that the Ford workers have played here."

" In helping us company in her turn around absolutely. Ron Gettelfinger president UAW thank you for joining us good scene again."

" Well thank you Alexis thanks for having --"