Being in the Labor Relations field, I think the UAW did a great strike. They went out on a no salary increase with only a job guarantee factor. This is what could hurt GM. They are locked into keeping work in the US but at a flat rate for the terms of the new contract. Plus the UAW cannot be used as a scapegoat for them not making any money. I think the UAW did very well for itself given the circumstances. Now the same thing will have to happen at the other two. Otherwise the UAW will be criticized for giving one an unfair advantage.

 

Unions make me sick to my stomach. Most of the people I know who work for companies that are in union are the worst employees ever. People don't realize how bad the unions are for this economy. My father in law is in a union for ford. He loves to work and is a very hard worker. He told me if he even moves a box that wasn't part of his job they could give him a ticket for doing more than he should. The unions FORCE their workers to do as little as possible to get the job done. The minute they get that break they drop everything and run.

One of my buddies was making a 30 second commercial for his company and it was all union workers. Well one of the workers was on break and this was the guy who "controled" the volume ****. They had to stop production because he wasn't there to turn the volume up. No one else was allowed to touch it because union workers can't do another union workers job.

Everywhere I drive around Metro-Detroit The union scum are picketing construction sites everywhere trying to force someone to keep them working. NO ONE should be forced to keep someone as an employee if it doesn't make financial sense. I know of so many incidents where unions will come on the construction sites and start threatening and trying to scare the builder into going union. Alot of times when they try to resist they end up getting their construction site Vandalized. People have got into so many fights with union workers, it's extortion and anyone who says its to protect workers jobs needs to open up their eyes. If they stopped paying their union fees watch how fast they get the middle finger. It's all about controlling the masses and using that to make demands.

 

Robb, any concerns out there with the UAW managing the retirees health care fund, since this responsibilty will be new to them?

 

I am nervous about it since it is a new area for Unions. And you have to remeber that GM is funding Half of what the liability is. So the Union is going to have to grow it...which could be good for the economy.


I am not pro or anti union. There are many pros and cons about each. The case examples given are always the abuses, never the good...on both sides. The one thing I like about have a Union is that the rules are clear and it makes it fair to all. Everyone has a copy of the rules and approved them by proxy.

 

No one is forced to keep employees if they cannot...its a collective bargaining agreement which both sides agreed upon. My plant negotiated those out 20 years ago as others could have as well. I am against violence and intimidation on both sides and is prohibited on both sides by the NLRA under section 8 (a0 for union and 8 (b) for companies. If people want a Union they should have if, if they do not then they should not. Yes Unions have higher wages but successful elections are more based on safety issues. Its what has allowed blue collar workers to survive while not having a very high mandatory minimum wage hence keeping consumer costs in control.

 

god, these strikes make me feel terrible. three of our neighbors have had to move becuase of their jobs at delphi and i just wonder, why can't life just go on as it was. why cant people just satisfied with what they have and work harder for something better. im not saying that what the people have is what they deserve, im jut saying that to me, to stop working may just make things worse in the end. people should be thankful for what they have, and if they want something better, look for a new job. it may be more complicated then that, but thats how i look at it