Labor officials tout relationship with car companies at auto show

U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis and UAW President Bob King jointly toured the Detroit auto show today.

Both say the auto industry’s resurgence shows the benefits of strong labor-management relationships.

Solis praised the American-made products she saw on the show floor. She also praised the sense of “empowerment” and “trust” she sensed among the workers showing them off.

“It really does mean a lot for the value that we place on workers’ productivity, and the restoration of our economy," Solis said, adding that relationship between the UAW and Detroit’s three automakers can be a model for other industries.

UAW President Bob King says Michigan’s new right-to-work law could jeopardize that relationship. But, he says, it won’t.

“We’re going to continue to focus on getting the best product, the best value to customers," King said.

But King says right-to-work is “a huge mistake” that could hurt automakers, too.