Catherwood LibraryILR School

At the opening day of the United Auto Workers' constitutional convention, the Presidents of the UAW and the AFL-CIO called on auto companies to restore some of the wages and benefits that the unions gave up to help save the companies during the recession. Now that the companies are profitable, the leaders said that it was time for them to share that profit with the unions. Workers accepted a two-tier wage system and other concessions, and the UAW now owns part of Chrysler and General Motors. Ford made $2.1 billion in the first quarter, and GM made $865 million. Ford has restored some benefits, but says that it must remain competitive with other auto-makers. The UAW will negotiate a new national contract with automakers next year.