Mr Gettelfinger president of United Auto Workers said that he will work closely with Mr Barack Obama's administration following its takeover in January to guarantee fair conditions for all auto workers.

Mr Gettelfinger said that "While we appreciate that President Bush has taken the emergency action needed to help America's auto companies weather the current financial crisis, we are disappointed that he has added unfair conditions singling out workers."

He added that "We will work with the Obama administration and the new Congress to ensure that these unfair conditions are removed as we join in the coming months with all stakeholders to create a viable future for the US auto industry."

It may be noted that the main US carmakers, GM and Chrysler, on the brink of bankruptcy, have been offered a USD 13.4 billion in government loans by the Bush Administration. GM and Chrysler will receive the government helping hand in exchange for tough reforms including more flexible work rules and cuts in wages to make the companies competitive with foreign manufacturers established on US soil.

The terms of the loan call for the two ailing car giants to present a complete restructuring program inclusive of the measures to be taken to move GM and Chrysler into a vastly more innovative future than their past 20 years indicate. Failure to meet this condition by March 31st 2009 will result in the loans being called in.

Mr Gettelfinger said that "These conditions were not included in the bipartisan legislation endorsed by the White House, which passed the House of Representatives and which won support from a majority of senators."

He added that "The union has already made substantial sacrifices to help make the Big Three automakers more competitive. All stakeholders, management, directors, bondholders, suppliers, dealers, workers will have to participate in shared sacrifices to help the industry move forward."

(Sourced from www.presstv.ir)