Main Street wants Congress to do the right thing for Detroit

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/10041

Senate Banking Chairman Senator Chris Dodd appeared on CBS’ Face the Nation this weekend and had some strong words for Detroit. He said that he believes GM and Chrysler should merge. The Senator said GM CEO Rick Wagoner should step down or be replaced. Meanwhile, workers on Main Street want Congress to do the right thing by the auto industry and protect the American Dream. Doug Cunningham reports.

By Doug Cunningham

: “It’s an economic Katrina and we need Congress to be that levy to protect us from going into a further tailspin.”

Brian Schneck, President of UAW Local 259 in metro New York. Schneck says there’s a double standard in Congress when it comes to Wall Street versus Main Street as the auto industry seeks emergency loans.

: “Banks and insurance companies, they got their money no questions asked. Now automakers, we’re being asked the tough questions.
And Main Street should not be treated differently than Wall Street.”

Schneck’s UAW local represents workers at auto dealerships. He says local communities nationwide will see disastrous job losses that will ripple through the economy like a tsunami should the U.S. auto industry go bankrupt. He says unfair trade policies caused massive manufacturing job losses leading up to this crisis. Schenck says the UAW built The American Dream, in the form of well-paying middle-class jobs, and that’s worth protecting.

: “We have put good money in the pockets of workers, we’ve provided them with very good benefits so they could achieve the American Dream. What is so wrong with good wages and benefits for workers? Ain’t that what everyone desires to have?”

[stillcool]

1. Why should they merge?

Isn't that part of the problem..becoming too big to fail?

[steelworkers]

2. we must save the unions at all cost

[Hubert Flottz]

3. Congerss don't give a damn what mainstreet needs or wants.

They've got theirs...