He signs the paychecks, doesn't he?
That's what every boss tells an employee when he sacks him. No doubt the GM CEO has told lots of people, "You're fired", sometimes thousands of them at a time.
If they don't want to be controlled by the Fed, then they shouldn't accept the bailout. You'll see the stockholders fall right into line, too. The alternative is Chapter 11 and that way the stockholders lose it all. They'll get on board tout de suite. So much for honor among thieves.