Machinists Union Blames McConnell, Shelby and Corker for Killing Auto Rescue Plan

WASHINGTON, December 12, 2008: The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) today rejected attempts by a trio of Senate Republicans to deny responsibility for their campaign to force General Motors, Chrysler and Ford into bankruptcy and possible liquidation.

"In a move worthy of Benedict Arnold, a handful of Senate Republicans this week successfully conspired to deny federal aid to U.S. automakers," said IAM International President Tom Buffenbarger. "It ranks second only to their attempt to blame autoworkers themselves for failing to provide sufficient concessions to satisfy GOP demands."

The campaign to blame autoworkers began immediately after the effort by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Alabama Republican Sen. Richard Shelby and Tennessee Republican Bob Corker to block the $14 billion aid package for automakers.

"With the U.S economy on the brink of a deep and prolonged recession, it is unthinkable that these lawmakers would deliberately kill an effort that could save as many as three million American jobs," said Buffenbarger.

With unemployment at a 26-year high and millions of jobs at risk from a collapse of the U.S. auto industry, the next move may be to loosen the strings on the $700 billion already approved by Congress to bolster frozen credit markets.