GM Will Let 2 Van Nuys Plant Critics Retire

Peter Z. Beltran and Michael Velasquez, two local union officials who were fired by General Motors Corp. last spring, will be allowed to retire instead under a settlement reached to resolve grievances filed by the officials, a United Auto Workers executive said.

Beltran and Velasquez both worked for GM for 30 years, and were shop chairman and vice president, respectively, of UAW Local 645, which represents workers at GM’s Van Nuys assembly plant. Beltran also was a frequent critic of GM’s bid to use Japanese-style “team concept” work rules at the facility.

On April 21, GM fired both men, alleging that they lied about why Beltran was absent from work 38 days last year. The auto maker contended that the alleged action was intended to defraud GM of money and benefits.

Beltran and Velasquez countered by filing grievances to protest the firings, and Velasquez charged that the action was a reprisal by the company for their complaints about GM’s work practices.

But under the settlement, both men will be allowed to retire retroactive to Aug. 1, which will entitle them to certain medical benefits that otherwise would have been denied, said Henry Gonzalez, assistant director of UAW Region 6, which oversees UAW locals in 9 Western states.

With his retirement, Beltran automatically was ineligible to remain shop chairman, Gonzales said. The shop chairman heads the local’s contract bargaining committee and must be an employee, he said. Velasquez also lost his role on the negotiating team, but remains local vice president, Gonzalez said.

Beltran and Velasquez could not be reached for comment, and GM’s Van Nuys plant said no one was available to comment.