GM's Barra Talks Of Settlement And Remembering People Hurt, Killed In GM Cars

WARREN (CBS DETROIT) - GM CEO Mary Barra promising to live up to the agreement the company worked out with the federal government surrounding the company's cover up of issues surrounding faulty ignition switches but also thanking employees for all of their efforts.

Barra's appearance before employees was more upbeat and encouraging than just over a year ago when a scathing internal report was released.

"This was a tough agreement but we fully intend to live up to every element, every obligation, requirement of that," said Barra.

"Fifteen months ago it was a very, very difficult day," but Barra says that workers need to remember that people were hurt and people died in GM cars.

Barra says GM has held itself accountable and is proud of what workers have done since the recall issues surfaced: "What I was really trying to convey to employees is how much they've done -- embracing the change - the days and nights - there are people who work months after month after month to do the right thing," said Barra at the GM Technical Center in Warren.

She says a separate agreement today settles about 60 percent of lawsuits against the company -- she wouldn't comment on the government's decision not to file charges against individual employees.

This deal closes a federal investigation, other deals will cost the company millions.

General Motors will pay $575 million to settle hundreds of civil lawsuits filed against the company over faulty small-car ignition switches, including the bulk of pending wrongful death and injury cases.

The company on Thursday said it reached a deal with Texas personal injury lawyer Bob Hilliard to settle 1,385 death and injury cases that he filed over crashes caused by the switches. The money also will be used to settle a 2014 class-action lawsuit filed by shareholders claiming that GM's actions reduced the value of their stock.