UAW bends, offers concessions

DETROIT, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- United Automobile Workers said they would rather bend than break, offering concessions to U.S. automakers on the eve of bailout hearings in Washington.

Executives from General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC were scheduled to appear at Thursday hearings to ask for about $38 billion to get them through tough times.

Meeting in Detroit Wednesday, union leaders said they would suspend the controversial "jobs bank" that pays laid off workers 85 percent of their salaries, The New York Times reported.

Union president Ron Gettelfinger also said the union would allow automakers to postpone payments to a multibillion-dollar healthcare plan for retirees.

But Washington Democrats said critical votes for a bailout were still lacking.

"It's going to take (President George) Bush and (President-elect Barack) Obama calling people," a Democratic aide told the Times.

With new business plans in hand, auto executives have said they would make further production cuts, eliminate some brands and focus on more fuel-efficient cars.

Federal assistance should be based on "a realistic plan for how we're going to make these companies viable over the long term," Obama said.