UAW New Directions Movement Answers GMÂ’s Financial Woes
New Directions Movement makes clear on their website, www. uawndm. org, the answer to General Motors health concessions should be NO. The answer for both UAW workers and retirees, and the auto companies is a Universal National Single-Payer Healthcare System for all U. S. citizens.
Anderson, IN (PRWEB) September 3, 2005
The New Directions Movement, a rank and file caucus within the UAW, fighting for equality and justice in the workplace, recently updated their website to include suggested platforms for UAW members and local leaders seeking alternatives to GMÂ’s proposed 20% increase in UAW member healthcare contributions. The issue of healthcare will be addressed during 2007 contract negotiations.
GM has not only suggested health cuts for active workers, but also for millions of retired UAW members.
NDM makes clear on their website, www. uawndm. org the answer to concessions should be NO. The answer for both UAW workers and retirees, and the auto companies is a Universal National Single-Payer Healthcare System for all U. S. citizens.
It is no secret that if we had a national system in the U. S. modeled after the current Canadian Healthcare System, GM, Chrysler and Ford would save millions. This is something the auto companies have themselves acknowledged as a major cost saving factor in Canada and by entering into to joint agreements with the Canadian Auto Workers union to protect and advance the Canadian Public Healthcare System.
In addition, to these standpoints, NDM has also created online message boards in which UAW members can now gather in meeting rooms and debate the healthcare issue, as well as discuss strategies for countering what NDM believes is an “attack against the working class.”
“Public Healthcare is not simply a dream, it is an American right,” stated an NDM poster on the site. “Until the thousands of ailing Americans in this country are assured proper care, we cannot assume that saying yes to concessions benefits everyone. Nor can we assume it will cure what ails GM. ”
“It is not as if ailing GM retirees have any other means, other than their GM retirement and medical benefits to survive. If active workers say yes to health concessions, we are ensuring the rapid decline and possible death of many retired UAW members, who will not be able to afford proper care. They are depending on active workers to ensure their wellbeing.”
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