It's another blow to a group of local Delphi salaried retirees and International Union of Electrical Workers, already on the ropes.
They lost their health benefits earlier this year. Now, the Federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has started the process of taking over their pension plans and slashing them 30 to 70 percent.
"This is a company that they worked for for 30 and 40 years. Came to work every day. Performed quality work. Gave the company what it required to be profitable," says IUE Local 717 President Karen Krolopp.
These folks say they want fair and equitable treatment from General Motors and the Automotive Task Force, but it's a hard pill to swallow when United Auto Workers had its retirees pensions and health care fully funded through the bankruptcy.
"I should receive the benefit of what I earned, so should everybody else that were worker groups at Delphi and General Motors," says Bruce Gump, Delphi salaried retiree.
During this meeting, retirees went so far as to say if their pensions aren't taken care of, they'll boycott all General Motors products. "Right now, I feel that buying a GM car is not where my heart is, supporting a company that really in no way supported me," says Jim Senary, GM/Delphi retiree.
"Where is Tim? Where is Tim? Where is Tim?", shouted the crowd of retirees as they marched right into Congressman Tim Ryan's Warren office, demanding answers and explanation from their representative.
Leaders say this fight isn't over. Several decisions still have to be made in court, before the pension take over can go through.
