UAW: healthcare trust needs automakers’ cash

United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said that the union is not willing to accept more overtures by Detroit automakers to delay payments to a trust fund that will take over retiree healthcare costs in 2010. Such requests are a possibility as the U.S. auto industry grapples with weak sales and huge net losses. Gettelfinger said he doesn't want to risk the integrity of the voluntary employees beneficiary association, which was a key feature of a four-year contract signed last year by the UAW and Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC.