Truly Despicable

The most important leader in the attack on the American working class today has a name: Ron Gettelfinger. Whereas the heads of the corporations are clear and present enemies with opposing interests, it's the collaborator who can do the most damage. Every word out of Gettelfinger's mouth seems to be an attempt to further demoralize and set back workers everywhere.

Gettelfinger is agreeing to the attacks coordinated by the auto companies and Washington. The UAW wants to allow Auto to renege on health care payments and remove lay-off protections, UAW gives ground to aid Big 3’s chance for bailout.

The "slickness" of the betrayal is in presenting a complaint yet conceding. From Gettelfinger before Congress: "I'm having a little problem myself here understanding why there's a double-standard here, but we accept it and we'll play by those rules." Playing by Auto's rules is a losing game, one which the UAW has been actively losing for thirty years. By the union's own admission UAW members now earn $14 to $33 an hour, and the unionized workforce has been cut in half in Auto over the past five years.

But be assured that Gettelfinger is not alone in betraying workers who have traditionally looked to the union as a source of strength. The other labor powerhouse, the Teamsters, is also doing it's part to serve the ruling class, having just proposed a 10% pay cut for 40,000 workers: Trucking Firm YRC, Union Set Tentative 10% Wage Cut.