Talking About Automobiles

Last year, the United Auto Workers union made the news when they assembled to strike against General Motors. It was during that time when the solidarity of the union was seen, although not for the first time. Today's UAW president Ron Gettelfinger has seen his share of bargaining with the Big Three and other automakers but even Gettelfinger looks up to someone.

That someone happens to be the former president of the United Auto Workers union, the late Douglas A. Fraser. Fraser passed away late Saturday at the Providence Hospital in Southfield. His wife, Winnie said that the former UAW president ad emphysema and was checked into the hospital after having problem breathing.

During his time as the president of the UAW, Douglas Fraser has been known to be popular with the rank and file workers. "Everybody thought he was wonderful," said Winnie Fraser. "He was a good guy, and he really was (wonderful)," she added according to The Auto Channel.

Gettelfinger said that Fraser was a "voice of reason". "He could interject humor in a very tense situation. He was realistic. He was abreast of what was going on. I was always relieved when on the other end of the line was Doug. He would always make you feel good before you hung up that phone," he added.

Sure, we are to talk about automobiles around here. But we have to talk about the guys who gave much to the industry. In fact, without Fraser, the Chrysler 300 would not have been possible. Why? It's because along with Lee Iacocca, Fraser had a major involvement in keeping Chrysler from bankruptcy.

So I honor this great man with this humble post.