UAW VP comments on GM shareholder address

United Auto Workers (UAW) Vice President Richard Shoemaker, who directs the UAW General Motors Department, issued the following comments about GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner's State of Business Address to the GM stockholders on June 7:

"It's one thing to present in a speech specific targets for job reductions and closing plants by the end of 2008; in reality, various important factors will come into play—including the natural attrition rate, changes in volume and market share and, of course, the 2007 UAW-GM negotiations.

"The UAW is not convinced that GM can simply shrink its way out of its current problems. What's needed is an intense focus on rebuilding GM's U.S. market share, and the way to get there is by offering the right product mix of vehicles with world-class design and quality.

"No one has a greater stake in the success of General Motors than UAW-GM members—and no one has played a more vital role in GM's strong gains in productivity and product quality. They're doing their part to help GM meet the challenges of today's fiercely competitive auto industry. We will do all that is possible to protect the interests of our members and their families."