TaciTrequiem

I would love to see changes in the UAW! Profit sharing should be on a plant by plant basis not a company wide issue. Get rid of job banks (gen pools). Let the company use employees in a more versatile fashion to name a few.
Being under mazda for a short time I also learned how the japanese came over and set up office trying to mimic the union shops. Hence a pension. Do honda and toyota have the same pension costs in Japan?
Honestly would toyota or honda be in that much different a circumstance if japan didnt tax vehicles by engine size? Would the big 3 be in a different circumstance if the U.S. had started taxing vehicles by engine size during the oil embargo? Im also all for that.

I just dont understand how peoples sentiment to union retiree's is so harsh.

TTinCT

they still worked the jobs and earned the $$$....The unions old school tactics is what has put them in this situation....no forward thinking IMO...

vicious circles

for things like using two arms to carry your own supplies down the hall when your office location changes [one arm is *legal*]. Or using a screwdriver to set up a presentation that's coming up in 5 minutes [fingernail is *legal*]. Using masking tape to make a headlight mockup [non-adhesive material is *legal*]. Separating styrofoam from clay so it doesn't f$%k a thousand dollar clay aerator {f*cking up the machine is *legal*].

Spending 3 hours filling out a request form and waiting for the workers to show up -*legal*.

Don't get me started.

Blue TTop

you are the "mother-f'r" that held a represented employee accountable.

How about having one of your direct-reports (management) have his company issued car spontaneously combust while parked in his driveway? Twice? Same guy, two different cars during the same labor negotiation?

Interesting subject.

TTinCT

hope things are as well as they can be there...;-)

vicious circles

most i've worked with are decent workers, but there were the clowns that openly celebrated Adolph's birthday, gays that prowled on new hires, morons that destroyed non union work in front of managemen, shrugged, walked away. 100% protected.

vicious circles

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/30281/mxmas.jpg"></center><p>March will tell all, hope the holidays are good for ya. At least I have a questonable sense of humor left...

How's FVH weathering this sh*tstorm?

TTinCT

he has seen some exposure lately over at TM from some government folks parading through over the holdiay as they are interested in "green" cars....

For whatever reason, i got a feeling he will be fine..

Enjoy your holiday regardless.....it is the time of year to focus on family....

TaciTrequiem

I completely agree, the union needs to remember what they are there for. Safety, and fair pay/benifits. Causeing more red tape to lift a 15 pound piece of metal from 1 room to the next is F**king ridiculous. I Hate what the union seems to stand for now, but I hate even more when people imply U.A.W. members dont deserve their medical benifits, their pension, or their hourly wages. It doesnt seem to be enough now that the next generation of U.A.W employees make half what they do now, the bible belt now thinks they shouldnt have health care or a pension. I also think theres plenty more solutions than berating the big three. Like tax imports according to what our vehicles would be taxed as exports to their contry.

TaciTrequiem

Telling people they need to work on a car thats not properly seated on its carrier. "just watch your toes" is what they were told.
Or giving workers time off because they wont work without safety equipment (getting caught working without safety equipment against OSHA rules, and is punishable). Most union workers are good people and dont deserve the hostility. While just as many white collar people are corrupt and give million dollar contracts to the company that takes them to the best strip clubs. Its a big corrupt world, helping out a company that would bring the entire U.S. economy to a halt if it fails isnt the worst option.