GM wants to double imports while closing US plants

Of course, and deservedly, the United Autoworkers are mad as hell about this idea.

GM acknowledged in documents submitted to Congress that it plans to start importing small cars from China starting in 2011, with the number rising to more than 51,000 by 2014. But the company says the percentage of cars made and sold in the U.S. will remain stable, with fewer imports likely from Canada.

OK, so now, Canada’s affiliate of the UAW, already pressured by Prime Minister Stephen Harper to make more concessions, has ITS reasons to now be mad.

Another issue? How to fund a union-run trust that will adminster retiree health care costs starting in the future. The Obama Administration wants the union to take GM stock in exchange for 50 percent of the $20 billion the company must pay into the trust, the story notes. Obviously, the UAW would like to do this before a GM bankruptcy filing.