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| UAW President Predicts No Concessions on Wages; Furthermore Claims Toyota Pays American Workers $2 Per Hour More, When Bonuses are IncludedHere are some other points: The UAW is only looking at actual per-hour take-home wages, not pension plans and health benefits and other compensation which also should included. And his silly number neatly avoids the major problem of Detroit's huge outstanding obligations to past workers, too. A company making money can afford to offer bonuses. A company losing money with every car can't. What does this have to do with Detroit? Nothing. They can't, it seems, make cars that both compete in terms of quality and price at current wage levels. Toyota can pay more (assuming he's not just making these numbers up) because they can. This has nothing to do with Detroit's problem. It's like a recovering alcoholic complaining that his non-alcoholic friend is allowed to drink. Third: If the Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions, um, precisely what the fuck is the point of the UAW? And, while Kaus mentions this too, it's worth repeating: Like The Surge, it's not just about numbers. It's about the rules of engagement. The UAW deliberately promulgates work rules to make their plants far less efficient than possible. That's the whole point of such rules -- efficiency means more production for fewer man-hours, and the UAW wants as many man-hours paid as possible. But this model is sinking the industry. If the UAW would review/revise/replace the bulk of its intentionally anti-efficiency work-rules, perhaps Detroit wouldn't be in such dire straits, and perhaps UAW workers wouldn't have to give up as much in hourly compensation. But the UAW won't-- so the workers do have to give something to make up for how ludicrously anti-competitive the unions have made their factories.Comments1
The Unions and government, who create most problems facing corporate america, in one form or another - have more power than ever. What could go wrong?
Posted by: lorien1973 at January 26, 2009 03:49 PM (IhQuA) 2
If the Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions, um, precisely what the fuck is the point of the UAW?
Ouch. Burn baby, burn. Posted by: toby928 at January 26, 2009 03:50 PM (PD1tk) Posted by: Darling at January 26, 2009 03:51 PM (OOjmf) 4
Point #3 contains so much truth, I'm afraid to look at it directly because if it explodes, the flying debris might take my eye out.
Posted by: reason at January 26, 2009 03:52 PM (sPO/s) 5
There's the inherent inefficiency as well, in that the UADW (United Auto Don't Workers) shops have to spend time and money and oversight ensuring that they comply with both union rules and the relevant OSHA rules (and every other alphabet soup organization as well).
Posted by: XBradTC at January 26, 2009 03:53 PM (28cfA) 6
In 2012, Democrats will have to change their favorite stupid question from, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?," to... "Are you at least the same now as you were four years ago?" Posted by: Darling at January 26, 2009 03:53 PM (OOjmf) 7
In 2012, Democrats will have to change their favorite stupid question
from, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?," to...
"Are you getting enough soup from the homeless shelter provided by my personal Praetorian Guard?" FTFY Posted by: XBradTC at January 26, 2009 03:56 PM (28cfA) 8
In 2012, Democrats will have to change their favorite stupid question
from, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?," to...
"Are you at least the same now as you were four years ago?" "Now that we subsidize everything and give you your daily rations, can you survive with us out of power" Posted by: David at January 26, 2009 03:57 PM (NgoAe) 9
So Toyota is able to pay a higher wage then UAW run plants and still sells more cars and makes a larger profit. All that tells me is that The Big Three/UAW are doing *something* wrong.
Posted by: JamesT at January 26, 2009 03:59 PM (cTHUy) 10
Posted by: XBradTC at January 26, 2009 03:56 PM (28cfA)
If this question is asked in 2012, the GOP campaign commercials write themselves. Obama had a commercial out where he asked "will you be better in 4 years" one of those long version commercials. If things aren't better; it'd be powerful. Anyways, I don't envision the media letting Obama's failures drown him. The stimulus will be a disaster. Inflation will be high in 2010-2012. It's gonna be a mess. But it won't matter. 40% of the electorate will vote for him no matter what. The other 10-11% will be off the tax rolls, they aren't affected. So get used to it. Posted by: lorien1973 at January 26, 2009 04:01 PM (IhQuA) 11
Uh.....the President of the UAW is saying that workers who are NOT in a Union make more money than those who do?
And they don't pay any Union dues? What is his point again, exactly? Posted by: Kasper Hauser at January 26, 2009 04:01 PM (ZPwZl) 12
JamesT at January 26, 2009 03:59 PM (cTHUy)
That's why they need to be subsidized. They are as effecient as government. Posted by: lorien1973 at January 26, 2009 04:01 PM (IhQuA) 13
But the UAW has that big overhead of funneling money to Democrats to consider, remember? It's for the children, after all. Why do you hate children?
Posted by: nickless at January 26, 2009 04:03 PM (MMC8r) 14
The Unions and government, who create most problems facing corporate
america, in one form or another - have more power than ever.
And with the SEIU, the government workers are growing government and taking over the country's policies to feather their own nests. These are the people who want TX and TN to follow the CA-MI economic model. Mega face-palm. Posted by: stace at January 26, 2009 04:03 PM (JO0c/) 15
stace at January 26, 2009 04:03 PM (JO0c/)
This is what gets me. People flee CA and move to CO. They flee MI and go to TN. They leave NJ and go to SC/NC. And then they vote for the same policies that messed up their former states. Liberalism truly is a mental disorder. Or a cancer. I'm not sure what the better analogy is. Posted by: lorien1973 at January 26, 2009 04:07 PM (IhQuA) 16
The only way to make this story any better would be to put bacon on it. Totally fucking awesome that the union head has to admit that the workers he represents aren't getting as good of a deal as the non-union workers in the same fucking industry while arguing in futility that it is a good deal to give Detroit more bailout money. So if you get rid of the UAW the workers get paid more and the automakers get more out of their workers. Can some smart liberal please explain to me why this is a shitty idea again? Posted by: Lemmiwinks at January 26, 2009 04:08 PM (5GNS+) 17
Why should the unions concede anything? Everything is going so well.
Jan. 26 (Bloomberg) -- General Motors Corp. plans to eliminate shifts in the second quarter at plants in Ohio and Michigan, shedding about 2,000 jobs, and will cut production at 13 other U.S. and Canadian plants as U.S. sales drop further.
Just let the union bosses keep lining their pockets as the industry completely disappears. Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2009 04:08 PM (1Jaio) 18
But the UAW won't-- so the workers do have to give something to make up for how ludicrously anti-competitive the unions have made their factories.
Yeah. Like their jobs. What is with these people? What about the "Union Brotherhood" that we hear so much about? If you were truly brothers, you would consider taking a buck or 2 an hour cut rather than 10,000 of your "union brothers" collecting unemployment, losing their houses, etc. Posted by: Gunslinger at January 26, 2009 04:08 PM (7FA9S) Posted by: Kasper Hauser at January 26, 2009 04:11 PM (ZPwZl) 20
They'll let the industry that provides thier jobs go under, but they won't give up their golf courses. Posted by: Iblis at January 26, 2009 04:12 PM (9221z) 21
"Now that we subsidize everything and give you your daily rations, can you survive with us out of power" reminds me of the John Kerry ad where the old lady says "George Bush is going to take my social security away" Posted by: Lemmiwinks at January 26, 2009 04:12 PM (E6GUg) 22
so the workers do have to give something to make up for how ludicrously anti-competitive the unions have made their factories. Their jobs. Fixed it for ya. Posted by: AndrewsDad at January 26, 2009 04:18 PM (C2//T) 23
"Sure we lose money on every car, but we make it up on volume."
Posted by: Hotspur at January 26, 2009 04:20 PM (c158/) 24
UAW wages after taking out union dues are less than Toyota workers...True. UAW dues plus take home wages are more than Toyota workers...also True.
Posted by: robtron12 at January 26, 2009 04:21 PM (gue+Q) 25
It's for the children, after all. Why do you hate children? I've forgotten why I hate teh children..... I guess it just keeps me warm. Posted by: Eleven at January 26, 2009 04:22 PM (7DB+a) 26
....... the workers he represents aren't getting as good of a deal as the non-union workers....
The rank-and-file are aware of this???? Why do they not toss out the union leaders? The union leaders are leading them to ruin. Posted by: t at January 26, 2009 04:24 PM (xSPT9) 27
That new Toyota Venza looks pretty sweet. I wonder what my payment would be on one of those... *rubs chin* Posted by: Payment Buyer at January 26, 2009 04:25 PM (7dXKM) 28
Why do you hate children?....It is Peloser that hates children, particularly the unconceived ones....
Posted by: t at January 26, 2009 04:26 PM (xSPT9) 29
Whoops. On that last point. Yea, we fucked up.
Posted by: Unemployed UAW PR Department at January 26, 2009 04:27 PM (AHrTm) 30
Gettelfinger will have to walkback these comments somehow.
Posted by: toby928 at January 26, 2009 04:27 PM (PD1tk) 31
Whoa. Wait a minute.
If I'm reading this correctly then I'm to understand that spending more money than is coming in, creating bloated inefficient systems & and ignoring reality are bad things? Things that are known not to work? OMG. That could mean that this entire country is about to fail. Quick, someone warn the new administration about these startling findings. Posted by: The Haimster at January 26, 2009 04:29 PM (cKvYe) 32
Third: If the Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions, um, precisely what the fuck is the point of the UAW? I would love to hear one of our esteemed Congressmen ask this question in a hearing about bailing out the Big 3. Posted by: Steve L. at January 26, 2009 04:32 PM (Gkhxf) 33
Far as I'm concerned, the UAW can get fucked and Detroit can go under. See how they like living on welfare.
Posted by: GarandFan at January 26, 2009 04:33 PM (237hA) 34
You are all missing the point! Sure, the union workers may earn a little less, but those darn Japanese non-union plants don't hire as many people. The UAW works hard to make sure that more people than necessary are hired. They provide jobs! They're only thinking of you, and your poor children that you apparently hate. (As a side note, it works out pretty sweet for the union, too. Dues are paid per person, not based on a percentage of salary.) Posted by: Schroedinger's Cat at January 26, 2009 04:38 PM (un/Et) 35
Coffee's for closers.
Posted by: Warden at January 26, 2009 04:42 PM (6aA95) 36
Even if the hourly rates are similar, (a) that ignores very generous health and post-retirement benefits; and (b) the Japanese are much more productive than their American counterparts. A significant reason for this is the asinine union work rules. Eff 'em all. Let the Big Three file Chapter 11. It will be the best thing for them.
Posted by: Fresh Air at January 26, 2009 04:43 PM (dlX/M) 37
33
Far as I'm concerned, the UAW can get fucked and Detroit can go under. See how they like living on welfare.
Detroit proper has been on welfare since 1969, the year after the race riots. They are totally OK with generations on welfare, thank you very much. As for the UAW workers living in the suburbs going on welfare...honestly, I hope they all move out of Michigan, maybe then we'll have a chance of electing someone, anyone who is competent to lead here. Right now, we're stuck with some of the worst politicians, thanks to the libtard morons who will elect anyone with a "D" after their name. And now an aside...after a bloody wall street report at noon that noted General Motors was giving out more pink slips, the next story on radio was about President Affirmative Action potentially giving states the right to have much stronger emissions controls if they so choose. Lord Obama giveth, and Lord Obama taketh away. Sucks to be the auto industry right now. Posted by: shibumi at January 26, 2009 04:44 PM (tZB/c) 38
Liberalism truly is a mental disorder. Or a cancer.
It's metastasizing throughout the host Country. Posted by: A. Weasel at January 26, 2009 04:44 PM (bqcfE) 39
I don't think a business that is a retirement home and health care agency which makes cars on the side, is going to work out.
Foreign manufacturers have the advantage, they can leave.
Posted by: tarpon at January 26, 2009 04:50 PM (7evkT) 40
Normally I would be dreaming of some conspiracy between the Japanese and the UAW. It takes more then luck to get things so wrong for forty years.
But how much do we need an explanation? The dem control in washington has me thinking about the human capacity to self-inflict. Posted by: Cincinnatus at January 26, 2009 04:54 PM (5OVpL) 41
The UAW will never, ever, ever, give up on any wage concessions, ever, ever, ever. You cannot get a crack whore off crack, ever. Just look at Courtney Love. You will never get the UAW to improve their efficiency. All unions are the same. I once had to deal with the pipe-fitter union (read as retarded plumbing numbskulls with ass cracks agape). It took two (2, TWO) of these weasels to carry a fitting (piece of piping) from one floor to another, cut, bring it back, AND IT WAS STILL TOO FUCKING SHORT! All employee unions should be decimated from our society. They are wrong and breed stupidity. Posted by: Jdubya at January 26, 2009 05:02 PM (rYaSa) 42
Dues are paid per person, not based on a percentage of salary.
Any idea how much the average union worker pays in dues ? Posted by: adamthemad at January 26, 2009 05:08 PM (kIjlp) 43
Unions are obsolete -- the coming GM and Chrysler crash will begin the process of purging these rotten unions of their malcontents.
Posted by: Richard Romano at January 26, 2009 05:11 PM (kycO9) 44
Manufacturing unions are doomed. On the other hand, Government Service Unions have a bright future.
Posted by: The Great Overland Invasion at January 26, 2009 05:19 PM (PD1tk) 45
Should be able to fit right in working government jobs , extensive training and all .
Posted by: Bill D. Cat at January 26, 2009 05:21 PM (d0YiG) Posted by: Bill D. Cat at January 26, 2009 05:23 PM (d0YiG) 47
The American workers just do not seem to be able to compete against the companies from socialist countries like Japan and Europe. Americans buy cars from these countries NOT becaus ethey cost 1 or 2 thousand dollars cheaper. They buy them because they are better designed.
Posted by: John Ryan at January 26, 2009 05:27 PM (LHCAa) 48
If the Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions, um, precisely what the fuck is the point of the UAW?
Preservation of the jobs of those who are employed by the union. That's the only conceivable reason. Posted by: profligatewaste at January 26, 2009 05:30 PM (tAZX+) 49
I watched the Detroit Auto Show coverage yesterday. All talk about how they want to show how "green" they are. If it weren't for the Astin Martin, Bugatti Veyron, and Dodge Challenger, I would have died of boredom.
GM's big hope, the Volt, will take 12-15 hours to charge up and take you all of 40 miles on that charge. The automakers are filling up square miles of parking lots with unsold inventory, even the stronger automakers can't move enough metal. Once Detroit runs out of empty space to park the unsold cars, we'll see the UAW "jobs bank centers" kept alive and at full capacity courtesy of taxpayer dollars. Gotta keep those union dues flowing to Nanny, Harry, and Barry. Posted by: kbdabear at January 26, 2009 05:33 PM (miw86) 50
I have a question. I'm not up on the whole legal stuff regarding unions. I understand that the workers agreed to form/belong to the union. Why does the company have to agree to keep union people on? Why can't GM just say "fuck you" and de-unionize? Didn't Reagan fire all the air traffic controllers in the 80's? Weren't they union gov't workers?
A large company that I used to work for that the Teamsters were trying to unionize told us that if we elected to have a union they would shut the place down and move to another area. I didn't want the union and thought the company had a lot of balls to say that. Posted by: Jubal Anderson Early at January 26, 2009 05:42 PM (krKUp) 51
All employee unions should be decimated from our society. They are wrong and breed stupidity. I think there should be an allowance for specific cases for organizing at a private firms. They should be a temporary remedy not standing organizations.Government unions, on the other hand, are an outright evil. Private firms can and should go out of business when the players screw up, whether they're management or the union. A government doesn't 'go out of business' so there's no 'natural' mechanism to check gov unions. Well, none but the complete destruction of the country.
Posted by: adamthemad at January 26, 2009 05:43 PM (kIjlp) 52
Fuck the man!!! Do not give one inch! What are they gonna do, go bankrupt and liquidate? Puhhhhleeeze!!
Posted by: Circuit CIty Employees at January 26, 2009 05:44 PM (/YM8H) 53
This is what Kay Bailey Hutchison (R) said in a letter about the auto bailouts back in November - R's and D's in DC are all pushing for nationalization of everything - there is very little difference between them. Big Brother government here we come - after all, isn't everyone entitled to a job (and a house, and a car, and a college education, and healthcare, and cable TV, and a computer, and . . .)? Several weeks after H.R. 2638 was signed into law, executives of the three major U.S. automakers requested Congress provide an additional $25 billion to $50 billion from the Treasury’s Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) to support their short-term funding needs. The CEOs of the largest U.S. automakers testified before Congress that their companies are facing a liquidity crisis, and without an immediate injection of capital, their businesses may fail, creating massive job losses across the country. Posted by: markytom at January 26, 2009 05:55 PM (CUzkM) 54
This is what gets me. People flee CA and move to CO. They flee MI and go to TN. They leave NJ and go to SC/NC. It's a locust swarm. Posted by: VJay at January 26, 2009 06:05 PM (gQ+XA) 55
Jubal, it's the "legal" stuff that prevents what you described. Once employees agree to unionize (to allow a union to represent them in "collective bargaining", an employer is prohibited by law from "dismissing them all". They are not required to come to an agreement; indeed, lots of shops have unionized only to see labor negotiations drag on forever without a collective bargaining agreement. The union of course can try to force the issue with a strike, or keep coming to the table. Reagan fired the air traffic controllers because they were prohibited from striking by federal law - certain jobs being considered "critical" to the public trust and all. They went on strike and he canned them. Which was fucking awesome. Posted by: Dave in Texas at January 26, 2009 06:10 PM (VEBC3) 56
oh, and your point about your company, while many employers certainly would shut down and move, to actually say so out loud is a big no-no. That threat will get the NLRB all up in ya grill.
Posted by: Dave in Texas at January 26, 2009 06:12 PM (VEBC3) 57
If unions had invested all of the money they steal from their members, they could have owned a significant portion of stock within the company, and actually like, you know, have a vested fucking interest in the health and well being of the company.
...instead they choose to be parasites... Unions are worthless. Posted by: Fritz at January 26, 2009 06:19 PM (ad8lc) 58
Any idea how much the average union worker pays in dues ? My mistake - it is based on how much they make. Basically, the monthly dues are equal to two hours straight-pay. (I confused it with the 'initiation fee' which is usually a flat $50.) So no, they do not want to give any hourly wage concessions - their budget would immediately shrink! Posted by: Schroedinger's Cat at January 26, 2009 06:21 PM (un/Et) 59
Every UAW fatass I've ever seen gets all patriotic about his "union built" cars, but seems to feel no sting to his pride seeing malls full of Hondas and Toyotas, or angry Dodge owners waiting for the tow truck.
Posted by: kbdabear at January 26, 2009 06:22 PM (miw86) 60
Which was fucking awesome. Not for us - my dad was a controller. The strike happened right in the middle of our summer vacation. He hated driving through the picket lines every day - the things his 'friends' called him. He figured he had a wife, two kids, mortgage, etc... On the upside - his seniority skyrocketed immediately after that! Posted by: Schroedinger's Cat at January 26, 2009 06:26 PM (un/Et) 61
This is much bigger than the UAW. All the Big 3 do is assemble parts. If the Big 3 go under it's the small non-union vendors that will suffer most. Johnson Controls does all the heat/ac in cars, along with Allison transmissions etc...BTW, It is a parts supplier is holding up the new Camaro introduction.
Posted by: hutch1200 at January 26, 2009 06:50 PM (9aAKh) 62
UAW=RICO in non right to work states. Period
Posted by: hutch1200 at January 26, 2009 06:51 PM (9aAKh) 63
I'm very fucking shocked that the December Bridge to Nowhere loan would result in no concessions from the UAW. After all, their protectors are officially running the entire show, and they decreed when this first came up that the UAW would be spared.
Posted by: steveegg at January 26, 2009 06:53 PM (LvEFt) 64
Now I am convinced . . . rename this poor sick Republic to "Idiocracy" dumbed down.
Posted by: rplat at January 26, 2009 06:53 PM (Qrnps) 65
Darling, Brad and David - Brilliant. Now, who do I award the Comment of the DayTM to?
Posted by: steveegg at January 26, 2009 06:54 PM (LvEFt) 66
8
In 2012, Democrats will have to change their favorite stupid question
from, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?," to...
"Are you at least the same now as you were four years ago?" "Now that we subsidize everything and give you your daily rations, can you survive with us out of power" Are you still looking over here? Do the guards need to hit you with a rifle butt? Can't you just swing your frigging pick and earn your bowl of gruel.? Jesus, just cause you're a citizen doesn't mean you're free or something... FTFY. Seriously. Wonder if Obumbles the Clown President will name a stalag after Bush for 'easing things' with his illegal auntie like a good little machine Elitist?
Posted by: Enter sandman at January 26, 2009 07:06 PM (zxaA2) 67
So no, they do not want to give any hourly wage concessions - their budget would immediately shrink!
Bingo. Posted by: adamthemad at January 26, 2009 07:13 PM (kIjlp) 68
#55 Dave in Tex,
I sort of figured it depended what state the union was in. Different state, different laws. If the workers can vote in the union then they can vote them out too, right? If GM goes chapt 13 can't the workers vote to disband the union. The company I used to work for (FedEx) had meetings with every shift and flat out told us that the building would shut down and move. They didn't try to hide it. I should have realized that the air controllers were a part of "national security" or some such. I use to be a cop and we couldn't strike either. Our union was worthless anyway. If we wanted a raise and the city said they had no money for raises and we couldn't strike then we just said "Thank You" and went back to work. Posted by: Jubal Anderson Early at January 26, 2009 07:20 PM (krKUp) 69
Let's be honest. Unions, in the early part of the 20th century, helped create the middle class in this country. They worked - and far too well. By the 1980s, every major concession won by collective bargaining had been enacted by force of legislation. Workers no longer needed unions when they had OSHA, child labor laws, 40 hour work weeks. etc.
So what did union management do? Continue to siphon up union dues, returning nothing to its rank and file except featherbedding, asinine work rules, corruption, and sloth. Their time has past. Good riddance. Posted by: Ombudsman at January 26, 2009 07:44 PM (fWF4Q) 70
The only point of the unions as far as I can tell is wielding political power, preventing work and obstructing management. The Big 3 are grotesquely inefficent; I believe Toyota has implemented LEAN or Six Sigma or a combo of the 2 (my corp. has been doing this for a couple of years now). LEAN and Six Sigma emphasize productivity and ways of working that are the antithesis of unions. I would slap LEAN and Six Sigma principles on the Big 3 so fast their heads would spin. As it is, I just boycott them now.
Posted by: Peg C. at January 26, 2009 08:06 PM (cEAy0) 71
<em>Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions</em>
That's probably after subtracting union extortion, uh, I mean "dues." Posted by: HasItBeen4YearsYet? at January 26, 2009 08:08 PM (J0KF3) 72
How much in dues does the average UAW worker pay weekly/monthly?
I don't remember the UAW offering to reduce the dues to help the poor, struggling line workers.
Posted by: jmflynny at January 26, 2009 08:17 PM (+yrfk) 73
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama wants automakers to make greener cars at a time when General Motors and Chrysler are hanging by the thread of a massive government loan and auto sales have plummeted to their lowest levels in more than two decades.
Obama's plans could bring smaller cars, more hybrids and advanced fuel-saving technologies to showrooms, but car shoppers will probably pay more upfront because the new rules are expected to cost the hamstrung industry billions of dollars. "The consumer needs to understand that they will see significant increases in the cost of vehicles," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst for the consulting firm IHS Global Insight. Her firm estimated the upgrades could add $2,000 to $10,000 to the price of a vehicle. Good job Barry. You'll CHANGE a recession into a depression. Of course being a complete commie, Barry is going to try to put the stake in the heart of what's left of our capitalist economy. Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2009 08:52 PM (vQbE+) 74
One more thing about the union types - they might not want to blindly vote for the Dims in the next election. I know their leadership is in the tank for them but the rank and file ought to revolt.
Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 26, 2009 08:54 PM (vQbE+) 75
I'm not sure where he's pulling that number out of. Well I suspect I know, but seriously, Toyota doesn't pay more than the UAW.
Posted by: Christopher Taylor at January 26, 2009 09:01 PM (PQY7w) 76
"Third: If the Japanese plants in America are actually paying workers more without unions, um, precisely what the fuck is the point of the UAW?" When I next buy a new car it will not be made by the UAW workers, they and their union are a disgrace. I am so pissed about this issue, its unreal. Time for the union and their gangsters to go get real jobs. I refuse to be part of this evil gluttony anymore.
Posted by: Vanessa at January 26, 2009 09:12 PM (yvFWJ) 77
But if they changed all those work rules, American workers would have to be flexible and occasionally switch from assembly, to riveting or welding!
That would break up the pure monotony that all American workers aspire for. Posted by: Harun at January 26, 2009 10:30 PM (oDdTf) 78
I would suggest right-leaning states hurry up and ban government employee unions. Probably can't but if we don't we will end up with a lonnnnng period before the average voter figures it out.
Posted by: Harun at January 26, 2009 10:35 PM (oDdTf) 79
In 2012, Democrats will have to change their favorite stupid question from, "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?," to...
Should I use more lubrication or a smaller dildo? Fixed. Posted by: cheshirecat at January 26, 2009 10:36 PM (0t5bv) Posted by: cheshirecat at January 26, 2009 10:40 PM (0t5bv) Posted by: The DNC at January 26, 2009 10:42 PM (mnUZA) 82
On the upside - his seniority skyrocketed immediately after that!
Though, on the downside, the reduction of controllers, the increase in air traffic, and the antiquated ATC systems at a number of TRACONs have made them some of the most overworked, and highly stressed people on the planet. Though, a TRACON ATC brings in some hefty change. If we are throwing around our money in the bailout, I think we'd be better off upgrading all of the old radar equipment. Posted by: cheshirecat at January 26, 2009 10:45 PM (0t5bv) 83
I sort of figured it depended what state the union was in. Different state, different laws. If the workers can vote in the union then they can vote them out too, right?
Yeah, but the Union is an entitlement programme, and you know once you start an entitlement programme, they NEVER go away. Posted by: cheshirecat at January 26, 2009 10:48 PM (0t5bv) 84
If we are throwing around our money in the bailout, I think we'd be better off upgrading all of the old radar equipment. If you can explain how that translates into votes for us, we'll consider it. Posted by: The DNC at January 26, 2009 10:48 PM (mnUZA) 85
If you can explain how that translates into votes for us, we'll consider it.
Fewer democrats dying in mid-air collisions, and dropping out of the sky, say, on the Capital? Posted by: cheshirecat at January 26, 2009 10:51 PM (0t5bv) 86
"The
consumer needs to understand that they will see significant increases
in the cost of vehicles," said Rebecca Lindland, an auto analyst for
the consulting firm IHS Global Insight. Her firm estimated the upgrades could add $2,000 to $10,000 to the price of a vehicle.
Consumers aren't in the understanding business. When they see significant increases in the costs of basically the same vehicle they have now, they'll hold onto the old car for a few more years. Car body designs don't drastically change much over 5 years anymore, and with regular maintenance a good car will be just as good over 5 years as it was new. What car buyers will look at for now is will it be trouble free for the next 5 years, will it get reasonable mileage and to quote the hot CTS chick "when you turn it on, does it return the favor". Posted by: kbdabear at January 27, 2009 12:43 AM (miw86) 87
Fiat has bought into Chrysler, which will bring the highly regarded 500 into America. It's fun to drive and cheaper than the Mini.
That said, European partnerships with Chrysler have ended up in heartbreak twice, first with Renault and then with Mercedes-Benz. Posted by: kbdabear at January 27, 2009 12:57 AM (miw86) 88
I work for Toyota. I am not speaking for the company (I have to say that) but let's clear a few things up:
I don't know what our wages are in comparison to the UAW. We don't have work rules (except, of course, you don't do jobs you are not trained for or qualified for) so the jobs may not be comparable. But I think we make a decent dollar for the jobs we do. (Of course, we would all love to make $150 an hour, but we're realistic. It's an auto plant, not a nuclear reactor) As for our bonuses, while nice they are not stellar. By that I mean we don't get thousands of dollars in bonuses. (Also note here: Senior management at Toyota has taken at least a 10% cut in bonuses. Haven't heard of anything remotely similar at the big 3) The bonuses are based on keeping quality up and good attendance, and on keeping injuries down. Why is this good? People will tend to buy quality products; if you are not on time you lose half the bonus for just one late report; and industrial injuries are very expensive. Other nice aspects of my employer: They actually listen to us. We actually like the work we do, it's important to do a good job here. People who get fired, well, they do it to themselves. It isn't arbitrary. We have better benefits than many. A strong work ethic. In general, we are not exactly pro-union, the usual response being "Why do we need the UAW? So they can improve us the way they improved Ford, Chrysler and GM?" (I have been in a union, in the airline industry. I agree with this sentiment). Also, Toyota is doing everything they can to preserve our jobs. Being that I have been laid off 3 times from the airline industry, the last is kinda important to me. Posted by: Joseph at January 27, 2009 01:05 AM (SlDWP) 89
Went back and read the article. If the folks in Kentucky make $30 an hour, with bonuses, I'd be surprised. The bonuses are not a given; there are variables involved. At any rate, they are bonuses, not hourly pay. If the Toyota gets in real trouble, we'd likely lose the bonuses for a time. I'd rather lose a bonus than my job.
Posted by: Joseph at January 27, 2009 01:14 AM (SlDWP) 90
I think two very important thins make the difference between UAW workers and Toyota workers that cause the difference in wages: 1.Toyota can fire unproductive workers, the big three are stuck with them until they retire and they end up paying for them until they die. 2. Toyota's workers actually have an incentive to produce (bonuses), the UAW's workers, not so much. UAW's very best worker makes no more than their worst, given that they have equal seniority.
Posted by: Bullwinkle at January 27, 2009 02:22 AM (tq6GW) 91
Used to drive past a Ford Transmission assembly plant every day. Amazing how many foreign made cars in the parking lot. Had a brother who worked for GE.If you actually worked for 8 hours you could expect a brick through your windshield. I have never owned a foreign made car....maybe the next one will be... Posted by: norryrr at January 27, 2009 09:40 AM (IF2pc) 92
I always thought that the catch-22 for replacing ATC radar was that "it was dangerous to have one of the radar sites down for upgrade." I always figured this was kinda thinking-inside-the-box garbage, because there is ALWAYS a way to upgrade something if you plan it out well enough. But, seeing as how those sorts of things (especially at international-mega-airports) are pretty much in-use 24/7, I appreciate the challenge. Posted by: reason at January 27, 2009 10:44 AM (sPO/s) 93
Detroit automakers should have done what every other business does. File Chapter 11 toss the corruptocrats out of the factory. Reorganize the company and dump the unions, if necessary relocate the plants to right to work states. This will be expensive but over time with the loss of the UAW thieves it would pay for itself. The union movement was once (in my grandfathers/fathers time) a good thing, but they gave up working for the people and began working for power. They received all the benefits that they could squeeze out of business and started building political power to try and impress the worker. The workers know that the unions are corrupt and really have no purpose in today’s society. The government has enacted laws over the last 50 years that make unions useless. To the union brotherhood out there What does your union (dues) really get you, a professional arbitrator every 3-4-5 years, what else? What do they do for you on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis? Every month they do come for your dues though don’t they? How often do you see your paid union officials on the job? When was the last time they had even done the job? When was the last time you saw your officials outside the shop boss?
I have belonged to a union family all of my life. I have been a paying member of 3 different unions. I have watched the officials take my money every month, spending like water on things I never wanted or I will never get to use. I have seen my officials argue of things that haven’t been pertinent to the worker for 5-10 years. I have listened to officials tell me how to do my job when they hadn’t been on the floor for 10 years. I have seen my dues being thrown away to benefit the officials and no one else. The only time you see any of the senior officials is right around election time, and those are mostly fixed to begin with. Posted by: Magic at January 27, 2009 11:03 AM (8NiWI) 94
Excellent point. How do the man hours/unit compare on similar models between GMAC and Toyota? Be intersting to see how many different workers touched each unit, too ("Hey, Bob can't tighten that screw, that's Dave's screw!!"). BTW, the both sold about the same number of cars in the US last year. One made a $1+ billion profit, and one lost a billion or two. Or three.
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