State of the Union August 25, 2010

August 25, 2010 online at www.uawlocal2250.com

•From Automotive News: Federal regulators have opened an investigation into 3 million Jeep Grand Cherokees to determine whether more than a dozen post-crash fires and deaths are connected to the placement of the SUV's fuel tank. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today its preliminary examination of 1993-2004 Jeep models found 13 deaths in 10 crashes “most likely associated with the alleged defect.” The nonprofit Center for Auto Safety alleges the Grand Cherokee features a fuel tank that extends below the rear bumper, behind the rear axle, and lacks adequate protection in crashes and rollovers. The tank's fuel filler neck also tears off in crashes, the group contends in a petition to the federal agency. The 1993-2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a fatal-crash-with-fire rate that is quadruple that of SUVs made by other companies, the petition contends. When DaimlerChrysler owned the Jeep brand, it moved the Grand Cherokee's fuel tank beginning with 2005 models and shielded it, the petition said. Since that change, only one crash resulting in a fatal fire has occurred.

•From the AP: A trade war continues as the U.S. continues to forbid cross-border operations for selected Mexican trucks. Last week, Mexico added tariffs to 99 more products imported from the U.S. in retaliation for the American stance against opening up its southern border to cross-border trucking operations as called for in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). According to the Associated Press, Mexico’s latest step will affect about $2.5 billion worth of trade involving agricultural and industrial products from 43 U.S. states. In May 2009, Mexico put $2.4 billion worth of tariffs on 90 productsafter the U.S. canceled a pilot program that allowed some cross-border operations by select Mexican carriers. “Instead of slapping additional tariffs on U.S. goods, Mexico should be living up to its end of the bargain by making sure its drivers and trucks are safe enough to use our highways,” Jim Hoffa, general president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, said in a statement.

International Union UAW press release

Citing the need to rebuild the American auto manufacturing sector by building more efficient vehicles, the UAW today announced it would join the BlueGreen Alliance, a fast-growing labor-environmental partnership dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy.
With the addition of UAW, the BlueGreen Alliance now unites nine major U.S. labor unions and two of America’s largest environmental organizations in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy.
“UAW members produce best-in-class cars and trucks, key vehicle components, and top-quality, heavy-duty trucks, and we know that we can rebuild the American auto industry by building cleaner, more efficient vehicles — and developing the technologies that will get us there,” said UAW President Bob King. “We have enormous opportunities to revitalize this industry, and the American economy, by embracing the clean energy economy of the future.”
“We are thrilled to become part of this unique partnership of working people and environmentalists who are striving to build a cleaner, more efficient and more prosperous American economy,” continued King.
The UAW — the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America — is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America, and brings to the BlueGreen Alliance 390,000 men and women employed by multinational corporations, small manufacturers and state and local governments to colleges and universities, hospitals and private non-profit organizations.
“The American auto industry is poised to lead the world in the production of cleaner, more fuel-efficient cars and advanced vehicle technologies,” said Leo W. Gerard, international president of the United Steelworkers, a founder of the BlueGreen Alliance. “The members of UAW, working people who make America’s vehicles, are a welcome addition to our effort to create millions of good jobs while protecting the environment for future generations.”
“Clean transportation is a critical element to reducing the emissions that cause global warming,” said Carl Pope, chairman of the Sierra Club, a founder of the BlueGreen Alliance. “UAW members are a critical voice to add to the ranks of millions of BlueGreen Alliance members and supporters who are working to rebuild the American economy by making it cleaner, more efficient and more prosperous for future generations.”

“The UAW’s commitment to energy-efficient transportation will strengthen the voice of our labor-environmental partnership as we work to help build a clean energy economy that benefits working and middle-class families. That means quality jobs, sustainable communities and accessible and affordable technology, like high-speed broadband, that will spur needed economic growth in the U.S.,” said Larry Cohen, president of the Communications Workers of America, a member of the BlueGreen Alliance.

The BlueGreen Alliance was launched in 2006 by the Sierra Club and the United Steelworkers, and has since grown to include nine major U.S. labor unions and two of America’s largest environmental organizations — bringing together nearly 9 million members and supporters — in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy.
“The BlueGreen Alliance and UAW share the goal of rebuilding the American auto industry, creating and saving the good jobs that come along with it, and reducing pollution and our dependence on foreign oil through more efficient transportation,” said David Foster, executive director of the Blue Green Alliance. “We are pleased to welcome the UAW to the ranks of our union members and environmentalists working together to build a revitalized clean energy economy.”