New UAW chief King says organizing nonunion workers will be union’s top priority
By APThursday, June 17, 2010
UAW chief: organizing nonunion workers a priority
DETROIT — The new president of the United Auto Workers says the union must organize nonunion workers in order to win back concessions to companies during the recession.
President Bob King said in his acceptance speech Thursday in Detroit that gaining rights to organize must be a top priority.
He says the union must organize all companies in the automotive, aerospace and agriculture equipment industries so a unionized company is not at a disadvantage to its competitors.
King says the union also must seek labor law reforms and push for the Employee Free Choice Act. That would allow workers to join a union simply by filling out a card.
King was elected to the post on Wednesday. He succeeds Ron Gettelfinger, who is retiring after eight years in office.
