UAW Characterization Criticized

I strongly object to the article in the business section of your paper April 6. The rush to be first with controversial headlines resulted in an unfair characterization of the United Auto Workers work force at the General Motors Van Nuys assembly plant.

The Continuous Automotive Marketing Information Program numbers reported in The Times are only one part of a quality monitoring system. They are a result of soliciting feedback from our customers. We react to their concerns but also depend on other internal monitoring systems to ensure a quality product. We have daily audits on both shifts, regular corporate audits, electrical audits, variation reduction teams, quality monitors and other efforts in the plant that are given equal or greater weight than the figures your article was based on.

Customer feedback is important but it does not give the whole picture with regard to quality. The individual who purchases a high-performance sports car has different expectations than those who buy other models. The requirements of our cars are different than other models. Your article makes no attempt to explain the study or put it into context.

The quality of all American automobiles has significantly improved in recent years. This improvement will continue because the workers who build the cars are committed to it. The Firebirds and Camaros we build today are the highest quality ever built. We are proud of that. Having our reputation and the reputation of our product disparaged in the Los Angeles Times by an article that does not present the full picture leaves us angry. It is impossible to know how much damage you’ve done.

RICHARD A. RUPPERT

Pacoima

Ruppert is shop chairman for United Auto Workers Local 645