US auto workers launch first national strike action in 30 years

The United Auto Workers (UAW) has launched a national strike against General Motors to address job security and other mandatory issues of bargaining.

According to the Associated Press it's the first nationwide strike during auto contract negotiations since 1976.

In a release, UAW president Ron Gettelfinger, said: "We're shocked and disappointed that General Motors has failed to recognize and appreciate what our membership has contributed during the past four years. Since 2003, our members have made extraordinary efforts every time the company came to us with a problem: the corporate restructuring, the attrition plan, the Delphi bankruptcy, the 2005 health care agreement. In every case, our members went the extra mile to find reasonable solutions."

“The company's disregard for our members has forced our bargaining committee to take this course of action

UAW vice president Cal Rapson, director of the union's GM Department

"Throughout this time period," added Gettelfinger, "it has been the dedication of UAW members that has helped GM set new standards for safety, quality and productivity in their manufacturing facilities. And in this current round of bargaining, we did everything possible to negotiate a new contract, including an unprecedented agreement to stay at the bargaining table nine days past the expiration of the previous agreement."

UAW vice president Cal Rapson, director of the union's GM Department, commented: "This is our reward. A complete failure by GM to address the reasonable needs and concerns of our members. Instead, in 2007 company executives continued to award themselves bonuses while demanding that our members accept a reduced standard of living."

"The company's disregard for our members has forced our bargaining committee to take this course of action," added Rapson.