I just wanted to point out a glaring double-standard being set-forth by all you foreign car worshipers who buy into the "unions ruined everything" mentality. You do realize that some of American-based plants that build your infallible foreign vehicles employ UAW workers, right? So now that the UAW has their foot in the door, I'm looking for a time line as to when we can expect us union folks to topple your Japanese and Chinese prides as well? Anyone? And please don't go the cop-out route and say it won't happen because there'll still be enough built overseas.
If "Union" is such a dirty word and UAW workers are all lazy and overpaid, are we going to lump teachers, nurses, newspaper writers, steelworkers, carpenters, bricklayers and any of the other number of our union brothers and sisters into the same category? You may argue that 'they've got an education and deserve their pay (i.e. teachers, nurses),' but that's not to say there aren't college-educated UAW members. Sometimes the benefits of being a proud UAW member outweigh the parallel career that our degrees can support.
Just to clarify Dirtyharry's comments...yes, GM pays a 95% sub pay to workers, but it is only for one calendar year, not 3 as he states. This is the first time in 9 years with GM that I've received sub pay on a consecutive basis, so it's not like it's something we get all the time. Also, the "jobs bank" is gone, so quit bringing it up (never experienced it in 9 years, fyi). The VEBA that he mentions is actually a union concession, not a hinderance to GM's overall costs. We voted to give up a portion of our pay to help defray the costs of retiree benefits. I'm also sick of the $73 an hour slams. If you figure in the cost of benefits, then yes, this MAY be accurate, as I've never seen an actual breakdown of this analysis. We're taking home in the neighborhood of $30 an hour while 70+ cars an hour roll down our assembly lines in plants that routinely heat up to near triple digit temperatures, so don't act like we're sitting sipping margaritas in an air-conditioned facility while only popping in one or two screws per car. The past few years have seen unions give unprecedented concessions to GM so quit blaming the unions, its a slap in the face to the men and women who fought for them decades ago when GM had the money to burn and didn't mind sharing the wealth. We know times have changed and we've generously given up any forthcoming contract bonuses and raises, taken on significantly more out of pocket health care expenses, and allowed GM to slash the base wage for new workers to around $14 an hour with a sub-par health-care package all the while inflation continues put a crimp on the power of the dollar. We're willing to do what it takes to keep our jobs and to support our local communities, but if you want us to give everything back, why don't you all give back the 40 hour work weeks and workplace safety measures that unions helped to create?
GM plans second shift at Lordstown; says third shift possible
I just wanted to point out a glaring double-standard being set-forth by all you foreign car worshipers who buy into the "unions ruined everything" mentality. You do realize that some of American-based plants that build your infallible foreign vehicles employ UAW workers, right? So now that the UAW has their foot in the door, I'm looking for a time line as to when we can expect us union folks to topple your Japanese and Chinese prides as well? Anyone? And please don't go the cop-out route and say it won't happen because there'll still be enough built overseas.
June 2, 2009 at 10:13 a.m. permalink suggest removal
A matter of survival
If "Union" is such a dirty word and UAW workers are all lazy and overpaid, are we going to lump teachers, nurses, newspaper writers, steelworkers, carpenters, bricklayers and any of the other number of our union brothers and sisters into the same category? You may argue that 'they've got an education and deserve their pay (i.e. teachers, nurses),' but that's not to say there aren't college-educated UAW members. Sometimes the benefits of being a proud UAW member outweigh the parallel career that our degrees can support.
May 21, 2009 at 1:32 a.m. permalink suggest removal
Hagan blasts GM plan to import cars it made in China
Just to clarify Dirtyharry's comments...yes, GM pays a 95% sub pay to workers, but it is only for one calendar year, not 3 as he states. This is the first time in 9 years with GM that I've received sub pay on a consecutive basis, so it's not like it's something we get all the time. Also, the "jobs bank" is gone, so quit bringing it up (never experienced it in 9 years, fyi). The VEBA that he mentions is actually a union concession, not a hinderance to GM's overall costs. We voted to give up a portion of our pay to help defray the costs of retiree benefits. I'm also sick of the $73 an hour slams. If you figure in the cost of benefits, then yes, this MAY be accurate, as I've never seen an actual breakdown of this analysis. We're taking home in the neighborhood of $30 an hour while 70+ cars an hour roll down our assembly lines in plants that routinely heat up to near triple digit temperatures, so don't act like we're sitting sipping margaritas in an air-conditioned facility while only popping in one or two screws per car. The past few years have seen unions give unprecedented concessions to GM so quit blaming the unions, its a slap in the face to the men and women who fought for them decades ago when GM had the money to burn and didn't mind sharing the wealth. We know times have changed and we've generously given up any forthcoming contract bonuses and raises, taken on significantly more out of pocket health care expenses, and allowed GM to slash the base wage for new workers to around $14 an hour with a sub-par health-care package all the while inflation continues put a crimp on the power of the dollar. We're willing to do what it takes to keep our jobs and to support our local communities, but if you want us to give everything back, why don't you all give back the 40 hour work weeks and workplace safety measures that unions helped to create?
May 21, 2009 at 1:05 a.m. permalink suggest removal