(WXYZ) — On the 11th day of the UAW strike, General Motors will reinstate health care benefits for its striking workers.
- GM stops paying for health care coverage for striking UAW members
- All 'unsettled' proposals on negotiation table as UAW awaits GM response
GM had previously pulled the plug on healthcare coverage on Sept. 17. The company then reversed that decision on Thursday, Sept. 26.
The UAW says the company is making the move because it received public criticism when it eliminated benefits last week at the start of the strike.
On day 10 of the strike, the UAW said all unsettled proposals have been presented to General Motors and the union is waiting for their response.
In a statement, GM said: "GM is very concerned about the significant confusion caused around our employee’s health care coverage. Throughout this negotiation, GM has said that our number one focus was on the well-being of our employees. That remains the case today. Given this confusion, GM has chosen to work with our providers to keep all benefits fully in place for striking hourly employees, so they have no disruption to their medical care, including vision, prescription and dental coverage. If they have an insurance claim, they should submit it. GM will continue to provide them the coverage they rely on given the circumstances."
Once a tentative agreement is reached, it will be voted on by the union council of local leaders and then taken to the rank and file for ratification. That process will take several days. It is not clear if striking members would go back to work, which has been past tradition, or remain on strike until a ratification vote is complete.
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The union called the actions of GM irresponsible and shameful. View the full letter from the UAW below:
UAW letter to GM asking them to reinstate health care by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
