GM Proposes A Pact Based On Performance --- Its Opening Offer to UAW Would Tie Pay, Security To Productivity, Quality
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp., in its opening contract proposal to the United Auto Workers union, said it wants the performance of individual plants to determine pay and job security for all hourly workers.</br></br>While the auto maker is expected to push for more direct incentives for higher productivity and quality, the sweeping nature of its proposal strongly signals a bid by GM to seek far-reaching breaks from past practices in the current national contract negotiations.</br></br>"These are difficult times and they call for drastic means," Alfred S. Warren Jr., GM's chief labor negotiator, said at a news conference after making the proposal.</br></br>GM also s aid it is considering asking to eliminate pay</br></br>increases pegged to inflation for at least some workers, an