Woodcock in '76

After the United Auto Workers' biennial convention in Los Angeles cli maxed last week, the 3,000 delegates crowded to the podium to congratulate Leonard Woodcock, 63, on his election to a third term as president of the powerful 1.4 million-member union. But the solidarity was deceptive: only 24 hours earlier, tempers had flared in a free-swinging floor debate over his reelection.

Woodcock, a reserved and owlish unionist, asked for a change in the U.A.W. constitution extending the terms of all officers from two years to three. That way, he can be sure of heading union negotiators through their next round of bargaining with the auto companies in 1976 -- just before he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 65. He had the votes to push the change through, but not before listening to some unusually sharp criticism. Many delegates opposed the idea of an officer's hanging on to power; others objected to having a president who would have to retire immediately after the 1976 bargaining and thus would not "have responsibility for the mess of pottage he sells us." Some delegates also noted privately that the union's younger members tend to see Woodcock (and other top U.A.W. officials) as being management-oriented. That may not coincide with the opinion of the auto executives, from whom Woodcock wrung an 11.6% wage in crease in last year's negotiations, and who now will have to face him across the bargaining table one more time.

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