Statement by Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers, On Failure of Auto Bailout Plan

WASHINGTON – It is extremely disappointing that the auto bailout package sunk because Senate Republicans chose politics, parochial interests and a penchant for union-busting above righting the national economic ship. The jobs of the men and women who work for the Big Three auto companies and millions of other jobs in related industries literally hang in the balance. The Republicans’ last-minute efforts to extract unreasonable demands from autoworkers were an obvious ploy to scapegoat the United Auto Workers and destroy the deal, rather than seriously address the nation’s economic health and well-being. True leadership demands more.

All stakeholders must make sacrifices, and the autoworkers’ union has done more than its fair share. The UAW has worked admirably with its management partners to help the industry continue. We hope a bailout package can be worked out quickly by President Bush and the Treasury Department so that this industry, so important to America’s economy, can survive.

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