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By Doug Cunningham

[Gettelfinger 1]: “Without doubt, in our mind, it is dire, it is critical, it is a crisis."

UAW President Ron Gettelfinger. Gettelfinger says at GM alone, 47,000 UAW members have lost their jobs since 2005. He says a $25 billion federal bridge loan is needed to keep U.S. auto companies and the 13 million jobs that depend upon them – in business. The UAW, Gettelfinger says, has done its part by making huge concessions saving the auto companies billions of dollars. Just ten percent of the cost of a new vehicle goes to pay for UAW labor and Gettelfinger says union workers earn every penny.

[Gettelfinger 2 ]: “The men and women of the UAW are proud to go to work and receive a fair day's wage for a fair day's work. And that is what they do."

GM CEO Rick Wagoner says neither mismanagement nor labor costs threaten GM’s survival. He says what exposes GM to failure now is the global financial crisis.