UAW Workers Walk Off the Job

Wall Street Journal ^ | September 24, 2007 | John D. Stoll and Jeffrey McCracken

[reaganaut1]

DETROIT -- United Auto Workers union members walked out of General Motors Corp. factories in the U.S. Monday morning after bargaining over a new national labor agreement failed to produce a deal by an 11 a.m. deadline. It's the first time in more than 20 years that the UAW has staged a mass walkout in connection with company wide contract talks. But in a sign of the complex forces at work in the Detroit auto industry, GM shares were trading higher Monday on the New York Stock Exchange, as investors cheered signs that GM management might be willing to resist ...

[lowbuck]

Yes, I did the math earlier, but, then I imagined trying to get by on 800 USD/month and decided it would be PAINFUL.

I think management is hoping the bunch will walk and they will risk the loss to slap them down.

Just my opinion.

[TChris]

Aside from a specific Congressional provision exempting them, all they are doing is practicing monopolistic principles to extort money from related employers who do not have a free market for labor capital.

Exactly. I have taken to calling unions the Labor Cartel for just that very reason.

[Cosmo]

Makes me love my BMW even more.

[RabidBartender]

I take that back - here was a feel-good story from 2005:

As Union Nears Win, Wal-Mart Closes Store

[Hot Tabasco]

If there were a way to sneak in there without getting killed or spit on, I would

Back around 1978 or so I had to cross the line for about 3 weeks because I was in HR and a non-union position. However, even tho we had about 1,800 employees at the time, it was more like a family because everyone knew everyone. So, I was never hassled when I drove thru the line into the plant because I knew everyone so well and they knew that we didn't have any choice in the matter.

But, there were several isolated incidents of vandalism and intimidation on the part of several known jerks.

Now, you take the big auto plants and they have lots of hardcore union thugs who would not hesitate to bust your head or your car. There is now way in heck would I ever think to cross those lines as a "scab"........

Back a bunch of years ago when the Detroit newspapers went on strike, they had major problems at their Sterling Heights plant. Thugs were even throwing some kind of star shaped nails on the highways to puncture the tires of vehicles driving into the plant. I had to drive by that plant to and from work so I usually took an alternate route around that area.

[jveritas]

The “free assembly” is very debatable as most current unions are organized to blackmail the businesses that they work for. Many states allow the formation of unions but some state do not allow them so I am not sure if the “free assembly” argument in this case can hold any power.

[burzum]

I think the most important questions is why hasn’t the government bailed out GM for the retirement benefits of these brave brave workers?

/sarc

[madison10]

Ummm...the factories aren't just in Michigan: they're in Ohio, Indiana, New York, Missouri, Delaware, etc.

List of GM factories, may not be perfect, it is Wikipedia afterall

[Tijeras_Slim]

UAW has enough to pay every GM worker $200 a week for almost two years.

That will do wonders for their vaunted work ethic.

[Son House]

UAW has 73,000 members

And the newer workers are going to be burdened paying for the retired workers benefits, along with the money they are losing in wages since 11am central time.

[Calvin Locke]

...the UAW always went on strike during deer season.

I doubt that. Companies learned to plan factory change-overs/maintenance shutdowns during hunting season if they were in that type of culture.

(OTOH, maybe it was a labor/management conspiracy when it coincided. Company can get stuff done, while the strikers think the pinky ring wearers are "looking out for them")

[Wuli]

“There is no contract - that’s why the UAW is striking. The UAW has been working without a new contract since Sept. 14.”

You are right, and my use of applicable terms was deficient.

I should have said that GM should say it is not going to try to renew a contract with the UAW.

mea culpa

[Myrddin]

No wonder production of cars in the U.S. has migrated to right-to-work states.

You can spot the die hard union types in my town. They drive junk cars with "Union Yes" and "Repeal right to work" bumper stickers. Most are unemployed due to the large spread in union rates vs the local labor market. The "golden age" of manufacturing with union thugs deciding who has their permission to earn a living is over in this state. Compete or get out of the way.

[benasawin]

If I may, allow me to shed a small light on how this scam works. The union selects a limited number of facilities to strike. Hence, the draw down on the strikle fund is minimal. No unemployment benefits are available to individuals choosing to strike. Very quickly, other sites are impacted, parts shortages, no demand for product, etc. Then comes the layoffs and plant shutdowns which was NOT a “choice” of those employes.
Thus, eligibility for unemployment benefits are legit at those sites. Result: state compensation funds now kick in supporting the initial strike a round about way.
Tha manufacturer is hammered with lost product/production and is then impalled on the stake of future higher workers comp taxes to replenish the depleted fund.

[madison10]

I’m sure your spouse could find work outside auto manufacturing to tide you over.

He'll get to stay home...it's my turn to go back to work. I AM the one with the bachelors. He has an associates degree, but it may not be technical enough to get employment right away.

I have not intention of getting myself killed. You should have seen what those lovely union thugs did during the last presidential election. They're a pushy lot.

[PLMerite]

“...the UAW has enough to pay every GM worker $200 a week for almost two years.”

Well, I guess it’ll be a *2010* Corvette.

[businessprofessor]

I think that you are referring to laws involving strikes and collective bargaining. Many states have outlawed strikes by public employees although those bans are not enforced much. Some states do not allow collective bargaining. I support laws against strikes and collective bargaining for public employees because the taxpayer is at a huge disadvantage in these situations.

If a company wants to bargain collectively, the company should not be forbidden to bargain unless the bargaining creates a monopolistic situation in the industry. I am confident that few companies would engage in collective bargaining if laws did not compel them to bargain. Unions are monopolies that are created and maintained by legislation.

[4yearlurker]

The greedy corrupt Democrat unions and their members are living in the past. Their gravy train has run out of track. There is a metal stamping plant in my area {SW PA.) that will be affected by this strike. The company said they will have to close if it goes on to long. Ataway unions!!!!!!!!

[Alberta's Child]

The fact that GM has 73,000 workers and 339,000+ retirees ought to tell you just how dysfunctional the company’s business climate is.

[Myrddin]

Freedom of association is fine. It is wrong for the government to protect unions by requiring workers to join a union. That is NOT freedom of association. That is coercion by government fiat. If the union is really that appealing to the workers, they should be free to join it or not. The private business should have the right to negotiate the best deal for itself. If that deal is with the union fine. If it is better with individual, non-union employees, then they should have that option as well. Keep the government's nose out of the process.