Local GM retirees protest in New York

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Bus loads of GM retirees will protest Tuesday morning outside the company's bankruptcy hearing in New York.

The IUE-CWA union members say the company wants to cut their health care benefits as part of the bankruptcy proceedings. The court is expected to rule on GM's plan to reorganize. The new company will be owned mostly by the federal government.

Some of the affected retirees were bused from Dayton to New York on Monday. Before they left officials talked about what the cuts would mean.

"They're real scared because this is going to force a lot of retirees back to the job market," Local 798 Retirees President Larry Combs says. "They have to go back in and try to get some health insurance."

One worker talked about how he won't be able to afford the pills he takes to keep his arteries clear, if the cuts happen. He hopes it doesn't come to that.

"I believe in people and I believe in America," retired GM employee Earl R. Williams says. "I believe if people really knew what was going on they themselves would say no, but no one really knows."

The United Auto Workers made a deal to protect their benefits and take over a share of the new GM, but other union and non-union employees aren't included in it.