The United Automobile Workers union today opened what is expected to be an intense season of contract negotiations by reminding Detroit?s automakers how much its workers already have given up to help their struggling employers. The UAW?s president, Ron Gettelfinger, after a ceremonial handshake with the chief executive of the Chrysler Group, Thomas W. LaSorda, said he was entering the talks ?with an open mind.? But he rebuffed suggestions that the automakers cannot prosper unless the union agrees to dramatic cuts in wages and benefits. ?I think the Big Three is going to survive,? Mr. Gettelfinger said. ?We?ve done a lot in the past, and I haven?t heard anybody stand up and talk about that lately.?
See "Chrysler and Union Open Talks", Nick Bunkley, The New York Times, July 19, 2007