Joining us now, from member station WUOM in Michigan, is Micheline Maynard.

NPR: More Bumps In The Road For GM, Chrysler And Ford

Ms. MICHELINE MAYNARD (Detroit bureau chief, The New York Times): Well, under the terms of the UAW contract, no one actually is fired.

NPR: Ford's Restructuring Plan and the UAW

Ms. MICHELINE MAYNARD (Senior Editor, Changing Gears): Thanks so much, Neal.

NPR: More Bumps In The Road For GM, Chrysler And Ford

For an explanation, we turn to Micheline Maynard.

NPR: Ford's Restructuring Plan and the UAW