Leave abortion benefits out of UAW talks
Ann Arbor News
Tuesday, September 17, 2003
Letter-to-the-Editor
Leave abortion benefits out of UAW talksI read with interest your letter from Angelos Constantinides regarding the UAW request that its new contract includes elective abortion coverage for its workers at General Motors Corp and Chrysler Group. I grew up in a union home. My father retired from Ford Motor Company after 30 years. I have always been loyal to UAW-produced vehicles. If this is the path the UAW is going down, to align themselves with the pro-abortion movement, my loyalty to UAW will be no more. We are the proud parents of two beautiful girls who are ours because their birth mothers chose to give them life over the "problems and stresses" of unplanned pregnancy that Mr. Constantinides speaks of. On a less personal level, this request from the UAW comes at a time when every large employer is making tough choices on which health care coverages to decrease for their employees so they can stay profitable. How can the UAW justify requesting coverage for a completely elective procedure that polls show the majority of their members do not want? The Big Three retirees and near retirees are worrying about their pensions taking a hit, UAW workers are worrying about plant closings and THIS is considered important enough to bargain for? If you are a UAW member or retiree, make your voice heard. These are your negotiations, paid for with your union dues. Is this coverage important enough for you to lose another benefit now or in the future? Make you opinion known NOW. Tracy Brodie Boggs, Milan
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