UAW Overrules Vote at GM Plant to Suspend Ruiz

The United Auto Workers on Friday overturned a vote at Local 645 in Van Nuys to suspend the local’s chief negotiator, Ray Ruiz.

The union’s Detroit headquarters ruled that Thursday’s vote, the latest eruption in the power struggle between Ruiz and local President Peter Z. Beltran, was “a procedural error,” Beltran said.

Officials from both camps had said immediately after the session that they did not believe the suspension could be enforced. A “trial” must be held by the local before a official can be removed, they said.

The local’s vote came at a meeting called by Beltran. The local president charged that Ruiz broke a promise to block introduction of Japanese-style labor practices at General Motors’ Van Nuys plant until the company made a long-term commitment to keep the factory operating.

Supporters of Ruiz deny that any such promise was made.

Besides negotiating with GM officials on behalf of the Van Nuys workers, Ruiz serves as the local’s shop chairman within the plant.