Posted on 12/11/2005 11:18:40 AM PST by Brilliant
KOKOMO, Ind. (AP) -- At least a thousand people rallied in central Indiana against steep wage cuts proposed by auto parts manufacturer Delphi Corp., which has filed for bankruptcy protection.
Workers say the proposed cuts -- from $27 an hour to between $10 and $12.50 -- are unfair, especially as Delphi has given bonuses to managers and other executives. United Auto Workers officials have said a strike against Delphi appears increasingly likely.
"To the Delphi workers here and everyone else, there are 380,000 union workers in the state of Indiana who will march in this battle with you," said Indiana AFL-CIO President Ken Zeller. "You are not alone."
Workers carried signs that read, "Delphi cooks the books/Workers get BURNED."
Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams declined comment.
One in three jobs in Kokomo is tied to manufacturing, and the Howard County community is poised to take a heavy blow as its two big employers -- Delphi and DaimlerChrysler -- eye layoffs or pay cuts.
Delphi has been operating under bankruptcy protection since October and is seeking to cut hourly workers' wages by more than 60 percent.
Based in Troy, Mich., Delphi has about 6,000 employees in Indiana, most of whom work at the company's Electronics & Safety Division headquartered in Kokomo.
The company was founded in 1999 as a spin-off from General Motors. With 185,000 workers worldwide, Delphi is the nation's largest auto supplier.
I reread the story. You are probably correct.
No, but Delphi was created in 1999. Nobody has more than 6 years with the company, by my calculations. But I am only a college graduate making $18 dollars an hour.
"so the workers are well within their rights to strike."
Sure, for all the good it will do them. The company is bankrupt. Reality has set in. Going on strike is not going to get these unskilled workers $20/hour and benefits.
"And they can find jobs paying that in a few months."
Many will, but some will not.
"They have nothing to lose."
They have nothing to gain either, since going on strike is not going to get them their $27/hour jobs back.
Delphi was spun off from GM in 1999. There are plenty of workers who have worked their for 30 years. They just worked for GM owned Delphi for most of that time.
True. I guess the lesson is, save your money if you have a cushy union job because the union cant save you when things go wrong.
"No, but Delphi was created in 1999."
It was spun off of GM in 1999. The plants and the workers have been around for much longer.
"And yes, I think that someone who remains loyal to a company for 30 years deserves to get yearly raises."
Fine. Go ahead and give such raises in your company.
In my view, the leaders of the big, old unions have essentially zero understanding of business strategy. Like so many Democrats, they make decisions based on emotion, pride, and what makes them feel good today. The big old unions have totally screwed themselves up by using dumb business strategy and refusing to change their strategy as Asian competition has strengthened. It's sad the way this has screwed over the union people and has cost them so many jobs and more jobs in the future.
But it may keep the jobs at $16 o $20 an hour. Lets see who yells uncle first.
There is one certainty...... parts made by Delphi after the bankruptcy won't be worth the cardboard boxes they come in.
Indiana union workers are a vindictive lot and will crap in the stew.
I had the misfortune of having one of the last jobs out of a majot metal fabricating plant in Indianapolis. They made the last run on top of the building a half inch too short. By the time I got there to inspect before shipping the workers were gone and the supervisors had to make it all over again. It took weeks to get new material, have it fabricated and finished.
The plant floor looked like a war zone. The fabrication involved studwelding fasteners to the panels and the workers would hurl the studs across the shop. The wire glass enclosure to the supervisors office was pocked with the stud marks.
The great American union workingmen can become vindictive terrorists. the 60 day laoff rule was written to provide a revenge period.
6000 employees times $12.00/hr times 2100 hrs/yr = $151,200,000.00 circulating in the local economy and keeping some momentum going.
Otherwise the banks and other business go under and throw more people out of work and you revert to the depression.
Better to be unemployed at $27/hr than to work for $14/hr.
Those of us working for universities were doing that (25-50% of insurance costs) during the 1970s to 2004 at least.
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