UAW chief sees no Delphi deal by Monday

By David Bailey

DETROIT (Reuters) - United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger said on Tuesday he expects no deal between the union and bankrupt auto parts maker Delphi Corp. (DPHIQ.PK: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) before Monday's scheduled resumption of a hearing on Delphi's request for the authority to reject its labor contracts.

"No way it is going to happen," Gettelfinger said at the Reuters Autos Summit in Detroit. "What Delphi decides to do from there will be up to them."

Gettelfinger also said all options remain on the table in the negotiations with Delphi, including a strike.

"I definitely would not rule that out," he said.

A strike could disrupt production at GM, still Delphi's largest customer, and other auto and truck makers at a cost of billions of dollars.

Thousands of union workers have opted to leave Delphi under buyout and early retirement agreements that should leave Delphi in great shape, Gettelfinger said, which makes the contract talks that much more frustrating.

The deal "more than takes care of their labor issues, but they just continue to press for more," Gettelfinger said of Delphi. "That's the greediest bunch of people I have ever dealt with, without question."

Gettelfinger's remarks contrasted with those of a Delphi official in Europe, who earlier on Tuesday said the auto parts supplier was making progress in talks with the unions and former Delphi parent General Motors Corp. (GM.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz).  Continued...