For Mike Green, driving to Washington, D.C., to take part in the week’s inauguration activities was well worth the 10-plus hour car ride. That’s because Green, president of Lansing’s United Auto Workers Local 652, has more at stake than simply ushering in a new president this inauguration. For Green, Barack Obama’s oath of office could be the first step in making or breaking his hope of relief for the auto industry and the workers his union hall represents. Green, along with Lansing UAW Local 602 President Brian Fredline and 652 Vice President Randy Freeman, arrived in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, looking forward to celebrating President-elect Obama, whom auto workers heavily supported in the election. “The UAW was very involved in backing Obama,” Green said. “It’s finishing up what we started. We put the man in there.” Green said while the main purpose of the trip was being a part of Obama’s inauguration, “it is a little bit of business.”
He said he would like to see Obama “loosen up” more federal money to aid the struggling automotive industry, and attach fewer strings to the loan.
Earlier this week, the government expanded the bailout by offering $1.5 billion to Chrysler Financial. The move brought the grand total of auto industry loans from the $700 billion financial rescue package to $24.9 billion in total lending.
Despite the additional money, Green is not alone in his call for more help.
At a state welcome reception Monday morning, Michigan lawmakers and auto industry elites mingled with everyday citizens. When asked the most important thing Obama can do for Michigan, Gov. Jennifer Granholm had a one-word answer.
“Help!” she said, referring to the economic stimulus package Obama is expected to introduce soon after taking office. Granholm said she hopes Obama will allocate a cut of that package to Michigan.
Granholm said the stimulus plan could keep the auto industry afloat, while allowing Michigan to invest in new technology that would diversify the state’s economy and keep young people from leaving the state to find jobs.
Although the stimulus package isn’t expected to be specifically geared toward the auto manufacturing sector, industry leaders are hoping some of the money will come their way.
“The most important thing that he can do now is to work hard and get his economic stimulus package out there,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.
According to a CBS News and New York Times poll, public opinion of the auto bailout has become more positive since it was approved, but fewer than 30 percent of Americans would approve another wave of loans.
Green said voters have expressed opposition to the auto loan package but are misguided by believing it would put money into the pockets of rich executives.
“It’s all attached to the same cork,” he said. “If you pull that cork out, it’s going to suck everything down … If GM goes up in Lansing, it touches everything. It touches the barbershop, 7-Eleven or Quality Dairy.
“It all trickles down.”
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