Comments on: Unionized auto workers protest concession targets for bailout http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/ Insights behind the investment headlines Tue, 10 Nov 2009 06:54:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: don wilson http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1179 don wilson Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:51:09 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1179 There is more than an 80% probability that GM will have to go chapter 11. There is more than an 80% probability that GM will have to go chapter 11.

]]> By: Dan Barnes http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1175 Dan Barnes Tue, 13 Jan 2009 00:30:36 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1175 This article should have read... "Several dozen thankful United Auto Workers union members marched with thank-you pickets outside the Detroit auto show on Sunday thanking the Bush administration for saving their cushy over-paid jobs..." No matter how much money the government throws at them - the market will destroy these companies. The number of consumers that have no interest in supporting this sloth is only growing (I've worked in three different automotive plants first hand - so please save the typical union BS for someone else). Really, their behaviour is beyond disturbing - did their parents not teach them anything? This article should have read…

“Several dozen thankful United Auto Workers union members marched with thank-you pickets outside the Detroit auto show on Sunday thanking the Bush administration for saving their cushy over-paid jobs…”

No matter how much money the government throws at them - the market will destroy these companies. The number of consumers that have no interest in supporting this sloth is only growing (I’ve worked in three different automotive plants first hand - so please save the typical union BS for someone else).

Really, their behaviour is beyond disturbing - did their parents not teach them anything?

]]> By: Carolyn http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1174 Carolyn Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:52:37 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1174 Ah, capitalism at work -NOT!. Why doesn't Congress along with the auto manufacturers look at all the causes of the problem, which, as I see it are the following just to name a few: building vehicles that aren't competitive, wages that aren't competitive, blue sky for executive's total compensation (is anyone worth what they make and do they need corporate jets for jaunts about the country?). How about American vehicles (yes, I realize that "foreign" autos are built here and "American" autos are build everywhere but) that actually fill the NEED of buyers when those needs are actually researched? How about wages AND BENEFITS that are compatible with the amount of work done and the training needed to prepare for that job whether it is on the line or in the executive office? Come on, politicans, how about spending OUR money as you would spend your own, if you had as little left as we do after feeding, clothing and housing your families, educating them (I use the term loosely) using the public education system, paying for our own transportation (whether vehicles, airfare, etc.) How about us paying taxes that would be just enough to cover the expenses of all the government than we NEED if it was spent wisely? Now I will go out and bury my head in the snow so I can cool off. Ah, capitalism at work -NOT!. Why doesn’t Congress along with the auto manufacturers look at all the causes of the problem, which, as I see it are the following just to name a few: building vehicles that aren’t competitive, wages that aren’t competitive, blue sky for executive’s total compensation (is anyone worth what they make and do they need corporate jets for jaunts about the country?). How about American vehicles (yes, I realize that “foreign” autos are built here and “American” autos are build everywhere but) that actually fill the NEED of buyers when those needs are actually researched? How about wages AND BENEFITS that are compatible with the amount of work done and the training needed to prepare for that job whether it is on the line or in the executive office? Come on, politicans, how about spending OUR money as you would spend your own, if you had as little left as we do after feeding, clothing and housing your families, educating them (I use the term loosely) using the public education system, paying for our own transportation (whether vehicles, airfare, etc.) How about us paying taxes that would be just enough to cover the expenses of all the government than we NEED if it was spent wisely?
Now I will go out and bury my head in the snow so I can cool off.

]]> By: jason http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1173 jason Mon, 12 Jan 2009 20:45:49 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1173 These big ailing companies have to fix their own problems and not rely on taxpayers to do it. Instead of a bailout how about they call for bringing an end to world trade organizations that are the main part of the root-cause of this dilemma. They should be screaming for trade policy change, national sovereignty and sound congressional monetary practices not for handouts from an over-taxed/inflated money supply. $17.4 billion dollars is a heck of alot of money. The fact that we see billions being tossed around like the flight of a one winged bumble bee should not diminish the real meaning behind this amount of money. Perhaps everyone should pull out of the UAW and form a new union corporation and buy-out these handout-reliant bums that sit nicely on their private jets as they go to meet with our elected officials. Washington has their finger on our abilities in our nation. We used to be more self-reliant meaning we produced over 90% of what we consumed. We don't need steel from china. We don't need food from China. We don't need crops picked by foreign work forces. We don't need oil from the middle east. We don't need another $40,000 new car. We don't need world organizations setting our playing field for us. We are Americans and certainly capable of handling our own responsibilities. We're just extremely out of practice with the concept of individual responsibility and very well versed in government dependence. We need to bring it home to our people and set the example or just go ahead and write our Delcaration of Dependance: When in the course of human events.... These big ailing companies have to fix their own problems and not rely on taxpayers to do it. Instead of a bailout how about they call for bringing an end to world trade organizations that are the main part of the root-cause of this dilemma. They should be screaming for trade policy change, national sovereignty and sound congressional monetary practices not for handouts from an over-taxed/inflated money supply. $17.4 billion dollars is a heck of alot of money. The fact that we see billions being tossed around like the flight of a one winged bumble bee should not diminish the real meaning behind this amount of money. Perhaps everyone should pull out of the UAW and form a new union corporation and buy-out these handout-reliant bums that sit nicely on their private jets as they go to meet with our elected officials. Washington has their finger on our abilities in our nation. We used to be more self-reliant meaning we produced over 90% of what we consumed. We don’t need steel from china. We don’t need food from China. We don’t need crops picked by foreign work forces. We don’t need oil from the middle east. We don’t need another $40,000 new car. We don’t need world organizations setting our playing field for us. We are Americans and certainly capable of handling our own responsibilities. We’re just extremely out of practice with the concept of individual responsibility and very well versed in government dependence. We need to bring it home to our people and set the example or just go ahead and write our Delcaration of Dependance: When in the course of human events….

]]> By: norman50 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1168 norman50 Mon, 12 Jan 2009 18:14:44 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1168 I understand the frustration of the folks walking the picket line. Our own government has been cozy with all the transplants coming to the US, and we turn a blind eye to the US workers and it's time everyone wake’s up or there will be no jobs for your's or my children. I was once skeptacle about the UAW but know I am on their side. It has got to stop and all the banks CEO’s get off scot free and we the back bone of this country keep getting pushed further and further down the economic scale. Again, make a stand and call all your political leaders today, support american dollars not the YEN, and this is what happens with foriegn companys, all the profits go back over sea's the $$$$$ does not stay in America. Things to think about: Congress term limits 2 terms Stop Congress on voting for their own raises Stop paying for health care for all elected leaders, after all they are part time employees. No full time retirement for Senators or Congress when they leave, we dont get it after 10-20-30 years on a job. Make congress pay into social security Stop all compainies from paying CEO's outraeous salaries, make them adjustable to reflect performance. I understand the frustration of the folks walking the picket line. Our own government has been cozy with all the transplants coming to the US, and we turn a blind eye to the US workers and it’s time everyone wake’s up or there will be no jobs for your’s or my children. I was once skeptacle about the UAW but know I am on their side. It has got to stop and all the banks CEO’s get off scot free and we the back bone of this country keep getting pushed further and further down the economic scale. Again, make a stand and call all your political leaders today, support american dollars not the YEN, and this is what happens with foriegn companys, all the profits go back over sea’s the $$$$$ does not stay in America.
Things to think about:
Congress term limits 2 terms
Stop Congress on voting for their own raises
Stop paying for health care for all elected leaders, after all they are part time employees.
No full time retirement for Senators or Congress when they leave, we dont get it after 10-20-30 years on a job.
Make congress pay into social security
Stop all compainies from paying CEO’s outraeous salaries, make them adjustable to reflect performance.

]]> By: wolfman http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1166 wolfman Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:32:58 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1166 Thanks AS we appreciate the support from knowledgeable non union citizens such as yourself. We have been demonized by a disgruntled Media and Americans that lay their frustrations of a mismanaged economy on the autoworkers of America. I personally worked at the award winning most efficient plant in North America and no it wasn't a nonunion Toyota plant it was the Toledo Jeep Plant (UAW). So this talk of lazy goldbrickers is a load of bunk fed by a non thinking public. The job bank is not an American union icon, it is a practice that the American domestic Automakers adopted from the Japanese when they transformed the old ways to the new ways. I've never partaken in any job bank as I would say over 95% of UAW members did not either. So all you union haters think about what you say and from where you get your information. Thanks AS we appreciate the support from knowledgeable non union citizens such as yourself. We have been demonized by a disgruntled Media and Americans that lay their frustrations of a mismanaged economy on the autoworkers of America. I personally worked at the award winning most efficient plant in North America and no it wasn’t a nonunion Toyota plant it was the Toledo Jeep Plant (UAW). So this talk of lazy goldbrickers is a load of bunk fed by a non thinking public. The job bank is not an American union icon, it is a practice that the American domestic Automakers adopted from the Japanese when they transformed the old ways to the new ways. I’ve never partaken in any job bank as I would say over 95% of UAW members did not either. So all you union haters think about what you say and from where you get your information.

]]> By: t jefferson http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1163 t jefferson Mon, 12 Jan 2009 16:54:46 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1163 The Free trade agreements have created a wage race to the bottom. Let the Politicians and Executives join that race not the middle class workers. The Middle class can’t maintain a decent standard of living or boost the economy right now. That $2.00 shirt at Wal-Mart seems cheap but the consumer only has a dollar to spend. The Free trade agreements have created a wage race to the bottom. Let the Politicians and Executives join that race not the middle class workers. The Middle class can’t maintain a decent standard of living or boost the economy right now. That $2.00 shirt at Wal-Mart seems cheap but the consumer only has a dollar to spend.

]]> By: jammer http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1160 jammer Mon, 12 Jan 2009 15:09:11 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1160 Lehman, AIG, the list is long and the road is winding on how many fat-cat execs get your tax dollars with no job creation in their business, no real GNP addition, and no restrictions. So a few hourly people want help against a tough economic foe to prevent otherwise paying for their unemployment and health care, and people whine it is too much. Lehman, AIG, the list is long and the road is winding on how many fat-cat execs get your tax dollars with no job creation in their business, no real GNP addition, and no restrictions. So a few hourly people want help against a tough economic foe to prevent otherwise paying for their unemployment and health care, and people whine it is too much.

]]> By: Joseph http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1157 Joseph Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:37:15 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1157 Its time for auto workers to consider other professions. Only 12% of the country's workers are unionized. While I don't believe that unions are the sole reason for the domestic automobile meltdown I do think its a major contributor. Companies cannot afford to support their retired workers in the long term. Elimination of unions would bring cheaper cars to all of us. Its time for auto workers to consider other professions. Only 12% of the country’s workers are unionized. While I don’t believe that unions are the sole reason for the domestic automobile meltdown I do think its a major contributor. Companies cannot afford to support their retired workers in the long term. Elimination of unions would bring cheaper cars to all of us.

]]> By: don baker http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/2009/01/11/unionized-auto-workers-protest-concession-targets-for-bailout/#comment-1156 don baker Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:29:10 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/globalinvesting/?p=781#comment-1156 The senators from the southern states that are loaded with foreign factories, (subsidized by the states with taxpayers money) keep saying the Union must give up the "Legacy costs to Automakers" Why don't they just use the proper word for legacy cost, which is retirees! The only mistake U.S. automakers made that makes them not totally competitive with foreign manufacturers was providing thousands of jobs for American workers for decades. Now they are being punished for being the only source of manufacturing in the U,S. The administration wants them to dump the retirees and put them on the Welfare and Medicaid roles to "level the playing field". They have already discontinued the "Job banks", and start workers at half the pay of the foreign plants. Now you want to raid the pensions? Why don't we just put the congress and senate on social security. They would fix SS in a hurry, and the loss of their extravagent pensions, (100% for life), would provide money for other programs. The senators from the southern states that are loaded with foreign factories, (subsidized by the states with taxpayers money) keep saying the Union must give up the “Legacy costs to Automakers” Why don’t they just use the proper word for legacy cost, which is retirees! The only mistake U.S. automakers made that makes them not totally competitive with foreign manufacturers was providing thousands of jobs for American workers for decades. Now they are being punished for being the only source of manufacturing in the U,S. The administration wants them to dump the retirees and put them on the Welfare and Medicaid roles to “level the playing field”. They have already discontinued the “Job banks”, and start workers at half the pay of the foreign plants. Now you want to raid the pensions? Why don’t we just put the congress and senate on social security. They would fix SS in a hurry, and the loss of their extravagent pensions, (100% for life), would provide money for other programs.

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