General Motors is asking the United Auto Workers to accept significant health care cuts or face the prospect of the company implementing the cost reductions unilaterally. Union officials have said GM management is seeking cuts of $1 billion a year and changes in retiree plans that could slash $20 billion from GM's retiree health-care obligations. UAW Vice President Richard Shoemaker stated that the union and GM are continuing talks over health-care costs and related issues.
See "GM to union: Take cuts or else?", Reuters, CNN, October 13, 2005