Posted on 06/20/2010 3:23:06 PM PDT by chevydude26
No, as a matter of fact, we didn't think Bob King's newly minted tenure as UAW president would begin like this. King was elected just last week, and he's already called for the membership's first major action: picket their neighborhood Toyota dealers. Why? To put pressure on Toyota to let its U.S. factory employees unionize, especially after the messy closure of the NUMMI facility and while the UAW is at it, Volkswagen, Honda, Hyundai and Kia factory employees need to unionize as well.
The plan is for UAW members to "adopt" a local Toyota dealer and picket in front of it. In a speech, King said, "We're going to pound on Toyota until they recognize the First Amendment rights of their workers to come into the UAW," and "We're going to show these corporations that if they are unjust to our members that they are going to pay a price." Since dealers are franchise operations that can't really affect corporate policy, the hope has to be that Toyota will simply wish to avoid more PR hassle and sit down with the union.
King is determined to raise membership by getting the import factories unionized (curiously, no mention of Mercedes-Benz or BMW in any reports), as well as suppliers, so that the body has more wage- and concession-bargaining power. And he's not just looking to auto workers to help with this push he's suggested retirees and other non-factory workers help on the picket lines. Of course, American International Automobile Dealers Association has come out with Gatling guns blazing against the move.
After a couple of years of Gettelfinger's quieter realpolitik, an immediate switch to ruckus tactics is a bit of a surprise. But hey, that's what a president with a landslide victory feels his people want, so let the drums boom. One can only hope that all the noise doesn't bring the whole house down...
I have a different plan: never again buy a UAW manufactured automobile. I like my plan better.
It just gets uglier by the day.
Obama won, Socialism is on the march.
The Republic not only cannot be saved, but I’m losing faith that it even should. When some 50% of Americans vote an imbecile like Obama into office, there is not much worth saving but yourself.
Toyota needs to hire some out of work union guys at really good wages to beat the crap out of the people who picket.Now that would be funny.I dont care for toyotas but I care a lot less for unions.
Heckling Prius owners/buyers will show those evil conservatives!
Shameful and disgusting
Picket your noses thugs....Oh, you already do!?
Screw King. He and his union are a major reason we have trouble competing with foreign manufacturers.
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Just when one thinks that it couldn't get any uglier.
What a stupid idea! What good does that do? All this will achieve is more bad PR for the UAW. Better to lay low and take care of UAW business...like keeping the pensions afloat.
How about the current UAW members that would prefer to NOT pay union dues or have open voting?
Love my Toyotas. UAW can kiss my ass for selling me junk for decades.
OH WELL!
I’m going to a local Toyota dealership tomorrow. Those UAW wankers had better stay out of my way.
No, I won’t use violence. I haven’t made my final purchase decision yet. UAW interference will simply be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, meaning that I will surely buy a Toyota. I react negatively to strong-arm tactics and will pointedly do whatever they’re trying to stop me from doing.
No Matter....it won’t compare to the natural boycott of Government Motors.....
These 50% need the experience of kneeling on the fresh hoed earth at their assigned Gulag, speaking the phrase "Comrade Obama, save me!" to fully appreciate their vote, and, fortunately, they won't be speaking again.
I'm with you!
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