United Auto Workers President Bob King said that Detroit’s Big Three automakers would again grow market share in 2012 — after they picked up about 2 percentage points in 2011 to about 47 percent.
“We’re going to grow market share. We’re providing the best value to consumers, the best quality, the best mileage so I think you are going to see a strong resurgence of the American industry,” King said in a Detroit News interview on the sidelines of the North American International Auto show here. “The energy is really different here.”
King reiterated that the UAW will not pick a target for organizing efforts among foreign automakers. “We’re having back channel, off-the-record discussions with a number of companies. All we want is a fair democratic process for workers to decide if they want representation — if they want to form their local union,” he said. “We’re staying on that focus — putting a lot of energy and effort into it.”
He said he hoped the UAW won’t have pick a target. ”If companies really support the democratic rights of workers to decide if they want representation, there won’t need to be any confrontation. If companies try to violate human rights, try to deny workers their right to freedom of association, the freedom of collective bargaining then we’re going to have to respond.”
King said he’s hopeful that companies “won’t waste millions of dollars” and will agree to fair bargaining.
King escorted Environmental Protetction Agency administrator Lisa Jackson around part of the auto show floor, including the General Motors exhibit.
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