With health deal, UAW's clout, influence grow

With health deal, UAW's clout, influence grow:

"'The size and visibility of this trust fund puts the UAW at the epicenter of the health care debate,' said Harley Shaiken, a labor expert at the University of California, Berkeley and a longtime adviser to the union. 'It expands the UAW's visibility, influence and clout in a major way.'

The UAW has long been an outspoken advocate for nationalized health care. Union leaders already are making it clear that they intend to use their new clout to push for a national solution to rising health care costs. '(This) strengthens our commitment to national health care reform,' said Alan Reuther, the UAW's chief lobbyist in Washington. 'This is an issue that has to be addressed by Congress.'

The timing could not be better. 'National health care could be on the agenda as early as 2009,' said Mike Whitty, a labor expert at the University of Detroit-Mercy. 'It will allow the union to take the lead in pushing for a single-payer national health policy.'"

Another push towards the tipping point?

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