United States: Bob King elected UAW President

Bob King, 63, was elected President of the United Auto Workers, the powerful American union, by an overwhelming majority. He reaped 2,115 votes – 98%. His last-minute opponent, Gary Walkowicz, only got 74 tiny votes. Nevertheless, he expressed the opinion of more radical members, who want their leaders to defend tough stands against businesses’ managements. Thus, during the meeting, they handed out fliers explaining “Our lives, our standard of living, our prospects for the future have been seriously damaged by years of concessions given to incredibly wealthy corporations. We cannot give in to company demands every time they cry poor.” This allusion was clearly directed to King’s predecessor, Ron Gettelfinger, UAW President over the past 8 years, who had to deal with the auto crisis. Over that period, General Motors and Chrysler faced bankruptcy and only survived thanks to the $62bn loaned by the Federal State.