UAW Agrees to AMC’s Request for Concessions

United Auto Workers officials Friday accepted concessions that American Motors said are needed to keep open two Wisconsin plants that employ 7,400 people. AMC had set Friday as the deadline for concessions.

Ralph Koenig, director of UAW Region 10, said that the company “has not bargained in good faith” and that many elements of its offer were “abhorrent.”

“However, we don’t see how urging the membership to reject the agreement would improve it in any way,” Koenig said.

He said the executive boards of Local 72, at Kenosha, and Local 75, at Milwaukee, voted unanimously to urge acceptance.

The proposal would lead to losses in seniority, union representation, overtime and relief time, Romano said.

Lloyd Northard, AMC spokesman in Detroit, said the company was pleased that a tentative agreement had been reached and “certainly believes” that AMC bargained in good faith.