What exactly is this “Signing Bonus”? Why in the world would there be bonuses like this in the economy we have now?
We (Ford) are offering you (the UAW bargaining committee) and your co-workers $10,000 each if you agree to ratify the current agreement we are offering you.........
This is nothing new, it happens all the time........
Keep in mind that Ford is making money and the UAW is aware of this..
Of course it sucks but that's the way the executives in the auto industry have always operated..........
Get the union to agree to a contract, no matter what it takes (within reason) and you will get your bonus at the end of the year too.........
FWIW, management ALWAYS gets their minimum 10% bonus at the end of the year regardless how the company is doing. They merely deny or reduce the annual merit increases that their subordinates normally get..........