Auto Briefs
UAW approves plant rules at 37 facilities
Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler union members at 37 U.S. plants have approved new agreements that require more flexible hours and fewer workers as they try to keep factories from closing amid slipping car and trucks sales. The United Auto Workers union is ceding gains it won throughout its history that ensured job security and full employment. Ford, Chrysler and General Motors Corp. have national contracts with the UAW that expire Sept. 14. The drive for improving factory operations is happening separately from those negotiations as the automakers press their case at individual plants.
GM temporarily idles two Michigan plants
General Motors Corp. will temporarily shut down assembly lines at two Michigan plants Feb. 26 as part of planned production cuts. The Orion plant, which makes the Pontiac G6 sedan, will be idled for three weeks and the Lansing Grand River plant that makes the Cadillac CTS and STS sedans, and SRX crossover sport- utility vehicle, will be closed for one week, GM spokesman Tom Wickham said Friday.
-- "If they pull a knife, you pull a gun. If they put one of yours in the hospital, you put one of theirs in the morgue." Sean Connery, "The Untouchables"