UAW elects King to replace Gettlefinger

DETROIT, June 16 (UPI) -- The United Auto Workers Union in Detroit Wednesday overwhelmingly elected Vice President Bob King to replace outgoing president Ron Gettlefinger.

The tally was 2,115 votes for King and 74 for Gary Walkowicz, a Local 600 negotiating team member, who ran to make a statement for a tougher stand on concessions with automakers.

At the podium in the Cobo Convention Center, Walkowicz said, "We need to do a radical 180-degree turn, away from policies of concessions."

Although his speech was met with boos and calls for him to withdraw from the race, Gettlefinger yelled "Democracy in action!" while endorsing King's candidacy, The Detroit News reported.

At 63 years of age, King can only serve for one term, as the union has a 65-and-out retirement policy, the News said.

After 44 years as a UAW member, the final eight as its president, Gettlefinger was sent off with a standing ovation and a plaque commemorating his service to the union.