There is a big difference between the car plant and the fab plant. It was common practice in the car plant to extend temp. employees. That was never the case up untill 2008 in the fab plant. When the car plant took control of the whole complex everything changed. If the local union in the car plant accepted something, it was expected the fab plant to follow suit. The biggest problem both local unions have, is having people inexperinced in the union process. People there have a tendency to vote and support someone, because they like them or are popular. They more times never made a committee call against management, but gave their opinion what they thought was right. In most cases what they thought was not in line with the contract language. So they run for election and get elected, not knowing anything about the union contracts. They make decisions based on what they feel or think is right. Instead of voting for someone that will and can do do the job, they go by popularity. In my years at GM there was friends that ran for office, that I could not support because I knew they couldn't and wouldn't do the job. If my job is on the line, I want someone representing me that knows the agreements and know the negotiating process. When the older people retired, that knew GM and how they did things, the new people was left to GM's mercy. I know quite a few officers in the local union at the fab plant, and I sure would not want them defending me in Labor Relations. I hope these 28 people win their case, and get what is do them. Maybe next election people will look at what kind of person is running to represent them and if they know the agreements.
I am sure glad that these 28 people stood up for their rights. The local union in the fab plant knew it was wrong, but did nothing. They tried to justify not making these people whole by what happened in November, 2008. Which was not inline with the national agreement. When the older people retired in May thru July 1, 2008, all the new hires was to move up in status and to full wage scale. The local unions did nothing, the same as the International Union did. There was some new hires made permanent in June,2008, but never given the the full pay scale under the national agreement. Because of this some of those people quit, and went elsewhere for a job. Those people should also be included in this case. I tried to tell the local union officials that these people was getting screwed over under the national agreement. All they wanted to do is refer to what happened under the concessions agreement that was accepted in November, 2008. Most of those new hire made permanent should have been made whole by Sept. 1, 2008.
‘Big fight’ expected as GM suit heads to court
There is a big difference between the car plant and the fab plant. It was common practice in the car plant to extend temp. employees. That was never the case up untill 2008 in the fab plant. When the car plant took control of the whole complex everything changed. If the local union in the car plant accepted something, it was expected the fab plant to follow suit. The biggest problem both local unions have, is having people inexperinced in the union process. People there have a tendency to vote and support someone, because they like them or are popular. They more times never made a committee call against management, but gave their opinion what they thought was right. In most cases what they thought was not in line with the contract language. So they run for election and get elected, not knowing anything about the union contracts. They make decisions based on what they feel or think is right. Instead of voting for someone that will and can do do the job, they go by popularity. In my years at GM there was friends that ran for office, that I could not support because I knew they couldn't and wouldn't do the job. If my job is on the line, I want someone representing me that knows the agreements and know the negotiating process. When the older people retired, that knew GM and how they did things, the new people was left to GM's mercy. I know quite a few officers in the local union at the fab plant, and I sure would not want them defending me in Labor Relations. I hope these 28 people win their case, and get what is do them. Maybe next election people will look at what kind of person is running to represent them and if they know the agreements.
January 31, 2012 at 10:55 a.m. permalink suggest removal
‘Big fight’ expected as GM suit heads to court
I am sure glad that these 28 people stood up for their rights. The local union in the fab plant knew it was wrong, but did nothing. They tried to justify not making these people whole by what happened in November, 2008. Which was not inline with the national agreement. When the older people retired in May thru July 1, 2008, all the new hires was to move up in status and to full wage scale. The local unions did nothing, the same as the International Union did. There was some new hires made permanent in June,2008, but never given the the full pay scale under the national agreement. Because of this some of those people quit, and went elsewhere for a job. Those people should also be included in this case. I tried to tell the local union officials that these people was getting screwed over under the national agreement. All they wanted to do is refer to what happened under the concessions agreement that was accepted in November, 2008. Most of those new hire made permanent should have been made whole by Sept. 1, 2008.
January 30, 2012 at 1:09 p.m. permalink suggest removal