http://money.cnn.com/2007/09/24/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes

My dad woks for GM; hopefully this will be over soon :?

A friend of Bandit'* and mine started working for UPS a couple years ago. He sees first hand how the union there causes workers to be lazy, and try to dodge work whenever possible. If there'* no reason to do quality work, because your job is so secure, then why bother even trying? That'* the attitude with too many union jobs.

Sure, they get people great pay and benefits, but, long term... at what cost?

We see where the big 3 automakers are now. Hurting. Tough to compete against a workforce (of the other auto makers) that doesn't have all the collateral damage (read: pension, benefits, pay rate) that they have to try to clean up every year.

I guess it doesn't help when executives that run the company bass ackwards get rewarded for doing so.

Base 75% of their pay on how well the company does as a whole, give them incentives. Hell, why not do it for the rest of the workers, too?

If our company does well, I get a bonus and profit sharing. If we don't, I dont. Just another reason for me to keep things running smoothly in I.T.

The previous was just random babbling, spurred by Chicken McNuggets.

This can't be good for the UAW...but then again they know how desperate GM is to offload the health benefits of retiries.

There'* many reasons why GM, and Ford and Chrysler for that matter, are challenged to do well in the current auto market.

Interstingly, both the GM plants in Oshawa are in the top 5 globally amung all manufacturers for productivity. Still, one of them is going to be closed :? . Also, GM has faired reasonably well in qualitiy studies, buyers don't necessarily agree with, or know of, the results.

Anyway, in the current state of the world, and the US more precisely, it'* hard to think an automaker can successfully navigate the market with such an emphasis on trucks and rwd V8s.

Whatever the outcome, I can't see how a strike will help the UAW.

Cheers,

Seems that there'* still a good amount of small/mid size cars being made, though...

...wait, scratch that...

After going to chevrolet.com, I found the WHOLE problem:

chevy.jpg

Flint is a mess right now. Hard to get around town with lobyist at every corner protesting for higher wages.

Makes me sick.

way to go!

anyone wondering why companies are so quick to export jobs to other countries?


the need for unions went largely out the door when government started implementing safety regulations and such. its a shame that unions cant see they arent helping employees anymore -- theyre hurting companies and as a direct result, hurting America.

I have very mixed views on union environments. Most of my life I've worked for non-unionized businesses. Wages and benefits aren't generally as good, but there is often a more "family" feeling to the workplace. I've never been interested in extreme wealth, only to be comfortable. I'm working for a unionized organization right now and although I make more than anywhere else I've ever worked, I don't have the same job satisfaction. Some of my co-workers don't care, do as little as they can get away with and expect the world. This is by no means a reflection of everyone working under a union umbrella. I work very hard and strive to be progressive with forward looking thoughts and ideas. Because of the union, I must be treated the same as all my other peers. I may receive a thank-you that others won't but with our union everyone is "equal", no matter how poor the work ethic. There can be no "official" recognition or reward for working harder. Yes, unions have often helped to ensure people are paid what they're worth. At the same time, it also offers an environment for some to ride the shirt tails of others.

Admittedly I don't know all the issues regarding this current GM action, nonetheless I am disappointed. I can only hope this isn't being fed by greed.

Oh yeah, I hope my last part order was shipped before this all began

this strike will hit michigan hard. it cannot continue for long. at least i hope it doesnt. not for our economy'* sake. it is already in shambles.

just when i thought it couldnt get worse.

and now my union has the possibility of striking. once the "30 day cooling off" is over.

Dam, will this hold up my battery cables from GMPD?