Big Three US automakers union talks stall as deadline looms

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5g2MNffidjhAefcPVkKi8otPnRz5g

DETROIT, United States (AFP) — With less than a week to go before the current agreement expires, contract talks between the United Auto Workers and Detroit's Big Three automakers have slowed to a crawl with few signs of progress, sources told AFP.

The contracts covering more than 160,000 workers at General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC expire at midnight Friday, September 14, though the talks could easily extend through the weekend without any threat to production.

The union, which has already made major concessions to help General Motors and Ford manage massive losses, is unwilling to accept major changes without guarantees that jobs both at the automakers and their suppliers will not be shipped overseas.

But many analysts say that significant change is needed in the new contracts if the Big Three, who have steadily lost market share, are going to be able to compete with their non-unionized foreign rivals.

With the deadline rapidly approaching, however, the automakers have been unable to present a united front in negotiations that require nearly identical contracts at all three companies, sources said.

"There isn't any real focus" in the negotiations at the moment, one union source told AFP.

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With over 27 billion in defense contracts going to the off shore Corps such as Haliburtin/KBR I imagine many companies are seeking to increase profits through the same tactics.

Off shore supply chains, void of Union Health Benefits, wages, workers rights, and safe work environments are just some of profit increasing incentives. Off Shore tax shelters, lack of regulations and civil liability only add to corporate greed.

The American way of life is beginning to look like a 3rd world country