UAW Retirees Challenging Health Care Changes Can't See Court Documents

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.laborradio.org/node/7663

By Doug Cunningham

US District Judge Robert Cleland has issued an order blocking UAW retirees from scrutinizing documents detailing the health care trust deal between the United Auto Workers and General Motors. The union agreed to take on responsibility for retiree health care by creating a trust known as a VEBA. In return for payments of roughly $55 billion, the UAW agreed to let the auto companies off the hook for future health care obligations amounting to $88 billion. Mark Baumkel, a lawyer representing some retired GM workers fighting to block the health care changes, alleges that retirees’ vested health benefits were unlawfully negotiated away by current UAW leadership. The judge’s order came as the UAW and the auto companies are seeking court approval for the deal before the US District Court. The order conceals all testimony, documents and other evidence in the case.