For months, Pete Beltran has asserted that the team concept would erode traditional union protections, damage the national UAW and eventually cost jobs at the Van Nuys plant. He also asserted that the system, which eliminates strict job classifications and calls on workers to perform a variety of tasks, would create friction within the union by pitting employees against one another.
“My victory is a victory for the workers and a victory for people who believe the union should represent the workers not the company,” Beltran said.