UAW strike
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The mark-up (and profit margin) on GM vehicles varies enormously, from practically nothing on minicars like the Spark and Sonic to maybe 15% or more on vehicles like the Escalade, Yukon Denali, or Silverado High Country. But that is different from the 5% labor-ratio that goes into them.
Also, competitors vary in their amount of recapture. But the main point is that labor is only a very minor part of the cost of production, even at GM. To blame unions for the troubles at Ford and GM is simply ludicrous.
Also, competitors vary in their amount of recapture. But the main point is that labor is only a very minor part of the cost of production, even at GM. To blame unions for the troubles at Ford and GM is simply ludicrous.
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Originally Posted by SW17LS
You know what else is about 5% of what a GM vehicle costs? The profit margin.
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My question is where are the large scale strikes from non union workers for Toyota, Honda, etc? Are those workers paid less and treated unfairly compared to GM workers? (The answer is no).
Unions had their place, and still do in some situations, but largely they aren't effective anymore at making working conditions better for workers.
Unions had their place, and still do in some situations, but largely they aren't effective anymore at making working conditions better for workers.
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Lexus Fanatic
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Well, without getting into stereotypes, an auto assembly plant is not the ideal place for the kind of exercise that is most beneficial to the human body. Repetitive-motions all day long tend to wear out or injure joints without really burning off a lot of calories. And that's one reason (among several) why I swim, almost every day (at least several times a week), since retirement.
And, again while not getting too deeply into stereotypes, many American Blue-Collar workers do not consume the healthiest diet on the planet, either....particularly in the bars and restaurants they often frequent after work.
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From this video: the difference between GM and non UAW compaines, $63/hr vs $50/hr in pay/benefits....GM collects $1 billion less in profit because of the wage difference
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxDTVXsnos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyxDTVXsnos
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Also, Jill, you seem to be all over the fence....supporting the strike one day (or one hour) and not the next. Which side of the fence are you on? I'm generally (but not completely) with the UAW on this one.
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The 5% does not necessary represent a profit margin...that will vary with each line of vehicles and in each plant. The 5%, at least the way the video explains it, represents the percentage of company money that goes into paying the average amount of labor for each vehicle, which is not the same thing. In other thing, what the labor alone costs, not counting other expenses.