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Amended contract, amended lives
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UAW member Calvanita Peales of Newton Falls calls herself a GM gypsy after working in several plants. She was outside Metroplex after vote Thursday.
UAW members Molly Less of Berlin center and James Simlins of Boardman embrace outside Metroplex after vote Thursday.
<p>VOTING ON CONTRACT: Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, assesses vote turnout Thursday at the Metroplex Hotel in Liberty. Several of the autoworkers said they were relieved when they heard the details of the GM-UAW agreement that was reached by GM and UAW negotiators last week.
Lordstown had the highest rate of passage in the nation, a union representative said.
By Don Shilling
VINDICATOR BUSINESS EDITOR
UAW OKS DEAL WITH GM
UAW Locals 1112 and 1714 OK contract deal during Thursday May, 28, 2009 voting at Metroplex in Liberty.
With either a sigh of relief or a shrug of resignation, Lordstown workers supported contract concessions designed to help General Motors survive.
Local workers approved the contract revisions Thursday with 84 percent of the vote.
Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112, said he was told by the union’s international representatives that Lordstown GM passed the revisions by the highest percentage in the country. “Our members did their job. I think it sends a message to Detroit that we are confident in our international, and we still believe strongly in General Motors.”
Calvanita Peals, 59, of Newton Falls, put it this way after voting Thursday at the Metroplex Hotel in Liberty: “We have to do what we have to do.”
The GM veteran, who transferred to the Lordstown complex from a closed plant in Michigan last year, was one of those who didn’t like the concessions but was confident they would help GM get back on its feet.
“This, too, shall pass,” she said.
Others were relieved when they heard the details of the agreement reached by GM and United Auto Workers negotiators last week.
“They didn’t cut our wages and benefits — that’s what we need the most,” said Tracy Brubaker, 38, of Niles.
Concessions that included suspension of cost-of-living increases, performance bonuses and an Easter Monday holiday are tolerable, said her friend, Lisa McMinn, 27, of Struthers.
“The sacrifices weren’t as a bad as we thought. Job security, that’s what matters,” she said.
That’s exactly what Lordstown workers should have, said Graham.
The labor contract and a proposed deal with bondholders that was announced Thursday leave GM in good position to emerge from bankruptcy quickly if it takes that course, he said.
“I’m very confident that we’re going to get through this. GM is going to come out stronger, and Lordstown will be the backbone of the company,” he said.
On Monday, GM is expected to identify 14 plants that will be closed, but Graham said the future looks good for Lordstown because of preparations being made for the scheduled launch of the Chevrolet Cruze in April 2010.
Mitch Penman, 40, of Struthers, has been laid off since January but he and his friends have heard they might be called back in September as the plant begins to build test models of the Cruze.
Penman said he voted for the revised contract because GM needs help until the car market picks up, and it can recover.
“It’s better to make concessions than not have a job,” he said.
His friend, Mario Hernandez, 33, of Youngstown, said the younger GM workers are determined to do what they can to make sure the plant survives. There just isn’t anywhere else to go for a good job, he said.
“We don’t want Mahoning and Trumbull counties turning into a retirement community,” he said.
While active workers and those who are laid-off were voting on the revised contract, retired workers had no say in the matter.
That irked Dave Blosser, 62, of Cortland, who showed up to find out about the contract. He didn’t like that he was losing his vision and dental insurance.
“If it pertains to the retirees, we should have the right to vote. They know the retirees would have voted to shoot it down,” he said.
The active workers said, however, that concessions had to be made if GM is going to survive. Peals, who’s worked at five GM plants in 25 years, said she doesn’t fear the bankruptcy that seems likely.
“That’s just the way it is in America right now. People have to file for bankruptcy to reorganize,” she said.
shilling@vindy.com
Comments
The always controversial Easter Monday concession. It is so prevelant in our society, almost everybody gets Easter Monday off and paid right? This is a huge concession that will go far in helping the company restructure. Very important. It is also important that Struthers Mitch gets paid 90% of his wages every week for being laid off. Changing that aspect of the business would never improve the concern. It was definitely Easter Monday gumming up the works.
See you in Chapter 11, and remember when you read how GM was "forced" into bankruotcy that no one did more forcing than labor and management themselves.
It hurts to see the once great UAW on it's knees. The concessions will help GM stay in business though it looks like the bondholders will force GM into bankruptcy anyway. The 14 additional plant closures to be announced on Monday will be another tough pill to swallow. Obama is giving GM another $30 billion to stay a float. My only concern is when will the customers return to buy new GM made products? Without customers all this just doesn't matter much.
"My only concern is when will the customers return to buy new GM made products?"
As bad as the economy is it will be a while. Let energy prices spiral and the only affordable transportation may be bicycles.
The GM made products are not the issue. They are a viable part of the company. It is the structure that causes the problem.
Hopefully, everything will work out. It is quite evident that Lordstown will be a major piece of the puzzle and I believe the employees there want to succeed, but major major changes need to ensue.
Goverment Motors - the UAW may not have this sweet contract for unskilled labor after the bankrupcty and having Easter Monday will be the least of the concessions.
“It’s better to make concessions than not have a job,”
Maybe if the union would have done this a couple of years ago instead of going on strike, they would not be in this situation right now. It sounds like this agreement is like putting a band-aid on a stab wound. This will not be enough.
Did I read correctly that one of the older retirees age 62 said, " That if the retirees woduld have had an opportunity to vote that they would have voted against concessions?"...Mr. 62 year old, I am not being disrespectfull but You are the exact reason why GM is in the situation to begin with..
I am sure it wasnt intended, but the fact that this UAW had the highest percentage of votes is a big positive. First, GM will look at Lordstown with all the best of intentions. And as I mentioned numerous times, landing the Chevy Cruze is a big deal, esp as CAFE standards get tougher and gas prices rise again (oil is at $65 today).
Second, it sends a big signal to the nation and the markets that the Mahoning Valley has strong labor, and the relationship b/t labor and companies is good. That is key to keeping and bringing in manufacturing to the Mahoning Valley.
So to all those at Lordstown that voted, many thanks.
Back in the 80's before Delco was split off from GM, GM considered offering the rank and file a stock option. Delco was going to be the test bed. As expected, the higher ups of the UAW turned the idea down flat. There was no way that they wanted the rank and file to ever consider what may be good for the company which would be good for their stock. The UAW needed the company to be considered the enemy so that the UAW big wigs could control the workers. The rank and file never knew of this proposal as you would expect.
Now when GM completes the bankrupcty procedure the union will own a good share of company stock. Will be interesting to see how this affects the thinking of the rank and file and how well the UAW big wigs can control the workers. The only positive side is that as the old folks retire the younger rank and file who understand that things need to change will become the majority.
Erplane, was the high percentage at Lordstown due to the fact that lordstown appears to have a future versus some of the other plants that may be on the block? I think it would be a factor.
I was never in favor of the union concept because I felt that the union big wigs never looked out for the long term interests of the workers. Rest assured that the union big wigs are not too worried about their retirement funds. Years ago they should of negotiated a 401 type of retirement fund where each worker could of been able to see what they had in a secure dollar amount and could of selected how it was invested. I know, the stock market went to pot. Well, after you invest your money you need to manage it. I know a number of people that just watched their money disappear in the market while they stood with their thumb up their butts. Getting off the subject.
Easter Monday? Seriously? Give me a break. Do an honest weeks work already and then complain.
Redvert - I think your absolutely right about the fact that L-town has a future, and that influenced the vote. Its a bit of chicken-v-egg: Lordstown has a future b/c several years ago the local UAW took a more cooperative route with management - it was a test bed for new rules regarding labor agreements.
And your point on the UAW having board seats b/c they have shares is a big positive if you ask me. Their pensions will be based on the companies' bottom lines. Perspective will change in a big way.
Those are concessions? Where most people work, those things are taken from them and they don't call them "concessions" nor do they get to vote for it.
Also, if GM wants to close Lordstown, they'll close it without any reason, because they can. It's naive to think that the possibility of a new car would save the plant from being closed. If GM can pay foreigners pennies to build their cars, why would they pay an American union auto worker much more with benefits on top of that?
babs68 said:
"Mr. 62 year old, I am not being disrespectfull but You are the exact reason why GM is in the situation to begin with.."
GM LORDSTOWN WAS BUILT ON THE BACKS OF THE OLDER WORKERS. TODAY THEY ARE BEING STRIPPED OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY WORKED FOR.
Stan said:
"THEY ARE BEING STRIPPED OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY WORKED FOR"
Really? Well, Mr. Stan, have you ever thought that the older workers ARE the reason GM is now bankrupt? Overly generous wages for unskilled labor, being paid while laid off... and the list goes on and on. The fact is, they were well paid for the job they did, and now the younger workers are the ones suffering. The older workers were not doing charity work, Stan. They benefited richly, and now they must give back, too.
Well Eric, without the older workers there would be no GM Lordstown Assembly. So you feel that before you put in your dues life should shower you with riches? Our pioneers who built this country during its beginning made do with very little. I for one am grateful for what they did!