UAW local members strike at GM Lansing plant

[TrackRat]

Originally Posted by goblue1999

So it was too much to ask to work under the current contract while negotiations continue. It was too rough on you collecting your PhD wages with your high-school drop-out skills? You make no sense, and get no sympathy. Enjoy that $200 / week.

Watch the paper for ads advertising replacements for your job.

I feel the love, I'm always amazed when the pedigree carrying, high school drop-out slaming experts chime in on the wage issue.Perhaps it might sink in to the PhD toting gurus to look at their own skill sets. If a high school drop-out can command the same wage or more than the those who spent mommy and daddies money to go to the Institute of I Know It All. Your time would be better spent increasing your own skill sets so you can command a better return for you time spent working instead of using it to attack those who have what you covet. Lets not kid ourselves , for every low wage Foreign grunt used to take a line workers job ,there is a PhD packing wizard just waiting to step in to the lime light for a nickel on the dollar. Its not just the high school drop-outs who can't compete in the global wage roulette game that is being played. Spend time trying to raise the standard of living in this country instead of sniping at those who are at least putting forth the effort to hold the line.

[CaptainDan]

Originally Posted by hunchman

I've been haring for 2 (TWO) years now here how the economy is in the toilet and it's not the first time you have made this statement either. I didn't see the memo that states you have to take it up the keester because the economy is in the toilet. I wonder if the faultering economy was planned so the rich fat cows could drive down wages even more. They sure are having fun with gold and oil now . GM and many other big corporations have been laying on the doom and gloom story quite a bit while their board members and top management have been reaping it in. I think it's an ideal time for the UAW to bring the ship to its knees so that maybe management will look in the mirror. I doubt it and I figure the ship will sink and all the muppets will blame the UAW.

The economy being "in the toilet" means that there is less money (the company's profits - or lack there of) available to spread around to the workers, let alone pay for maintenance, upkeep, upgrades to stay competitive, new products, or anything else. And if it's bad enough, the company may be in danger of going out of business.

Those "rich fat cows" make much more money when the economy is GOOD.

That "bring the ship to it's knees" analogy is absolutely perfect! There the ship is, sailing it's way across the ocean. The crew, not being happy with their daily lashings, has decided, "Hey, let's start cutting holes in the bottom of the ship! Once the ship sinks, I'm sure the Captain will see how serious we are!" That's just such a BRILLIANT strategy!

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by Clownzilla

That's the way unions think. It's either their way or NOBODIES WAY! Well, I just want GM to stop dancing with the UAW and start moving production out of the country. I am tired of being a dealer employee and not getting our rare hot products because some wrench turner wants $60 and hour. Listen, I know it sounds harsh but GM needs to draw THEIR line in the sand and start moving production out out the country bit by bit until they bring the UAW to it's knees. This way, the rest of GM's non-union employees can work towards prosperity TOGETHER and let capitalism work for them (which is completely opposite of the UAW's socialist agenda).

How many cars or trucks do you think you can sell to some guy turning a wrench for $12 per hour. How many people making $12 per hour can afford to send their children to college? $12 per hour does not even cover healthWe need our workers, and by our I mean the citizens of the U.S.A. to be able to earn a living in the manufacturing world. It absoulutley disgust me that a large portion of society has so little respect for the middle class. Once our manufacturing jobs are gone, they are gone and they are not comming back.

[steined]

I am probably one who would be lumped into the Union bashers club, generally it is just plain old rhetoric! But they really do have a RIGHT to assemble and protest their conditions and pay. I have no problem with that concept AT ALL. I think there was a time and place for the union too.

But in a global enconomy, the only reason the union has any power is because of the governments rules on unions and union busting.

The only power the companies have is to shut down a plant and move it out of the country.

Can anyone see how that's counterproductive? If the company could simply replace the union workers, and the union workers could chose to leave the union and work without representation, I think that BOTH sides could come to an agreement rather quickly without exporting jobs and all the brow beating that goes on. I'm not saying the union workers wouldn't lose out in that deal, but there would be less incentive for GM to close the plant and move it out of the country. There is no good answer, and the problem was created, as most are, with well intentioned laws passed by congress.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by CaptainDan

The economy being "in the toilet" means that there is less money (the company's profits - or lack there of) available to spread around to the workers, let alone pay for maintenance, upkeep, upgrades to stay competitive, new products, or anything else. And if it's bad enough, the company may be in danger of going out of business.

Those "rich fat cows" make much more money when the economy is GOOD.

That "bring the ship to it's knees" analogy is absolutely perfect! There the ship is, sailing it's way across the ocean. The crew, not being happy with their daily lashings, has decided, "Hey, let's start cutting holes in the bottom of the ship! Once the ship sinks, I'm sure the Captain will see how serious we are!" That's just such a BRILLIANT strategy!

Now who's FAULT is that?
These company's profits or lack there of?

Is that the workers's fault? Or was it the companies over playing their greedy little hands?

The workers did not set up this economy.
They are a part of it and it does take TWO to Tango.
However, it was not the workers that thought of exploting other countries for their low wages.
It was the Companies that did this.
They were not happy enough with the profits they had they just all had to meddle in other country's affairs.

This is capitalism (Corporatism) at it's worst and now the companies want to blame everyone else but themselves.

Our Standard of Living has been dropping in this country.
This is not the 'Worker's Fault'.
This is a planned event for a long time coming.

Get out and READ for a change instead of simply blaming the lowest people on the ladder.

[steined]

Originally Posted by pontiacjs

$12 per hour does not even cover health.

$12 an hour can EASILY cover health insurance. Health insurance isn't that expensive in this country. If you want unlimited health insurance, like most people in the US have, it is expensive, but I have INDIVIDUAL health insurance and it costs me less than $1000 a year. That's less than $100 a month. I have to pay for the first $2300 in expenses, so I save that much in a savings account in case I have to use it (about $200 a month). What happened to people taking responsibility for things like this? Why is it ok to spend $400+ a month on a car payment, but people are unwilling to pay $300 a month for health insurance and that savings account? Some people pay $130 a month for cable, and that's ok, no one demands universal cable coverage (yet), but they demand UNLIMITED health insurance for FREE. It just isn't right or American.

[lineworker]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

I feel the love, I'm always amazed when the pedigree carrying, high school drop-out slaming experts chime in on the wage issue.Perhaps it might sink in to the PhD toting gurus to look at their own skill sets. If a high school drop-out can command the same wage or more than the those who spent mommy and daddies money to go to the Institute of I Know It All. Your time would be better spent increasing your own skill sets so you can command a better return for you time spent working instead of using it to attack those who have what you covet. Lets not kid ourselves , for every low wage Foreign grunt used to take a line workers job ,there is a PhD packing wizard just waiting to step in to the lime light for a nickel on the dollar. Its not just the high school drop-outs who can't compete in the global wage roulette game that is being played. Spend time trying to raise the standard of living in this country instead of sniping at those who are at least putting forth the effort to hold the line.

Thank you,great post!!!!!

[lineworker]

Originally Posted by JackDye

If they ordered people to leave, how is it a strike?

They ended negotiations.

[prowlerjc]

Originally Posted by steined

But they really do have a RIGHT to assemble and protest their conditions and pay. I have no problem with that concept AT ALL.

Neither do I. What I have a problem with is walking off the job and not allowing people to take said jobs willingly at what the company is willing to pay.

Protest and discuss pay? Fine. Walk off the job, and you've abandoned it, IMO.

[TruckMan]

Originally Posted by pontiacjs

How many cars or trucks do you think you can sell to some guy turning a wrench for $12 per hour. How many people making $12 per hour can afford to send their children to college? $12 per hour does not even cover healthWe need our workers, and by our I mean the citizens of the U.S.A. to be able to earn a living in the manufacturing world. It absoulutley disgust me that a large portion of society has so little respect for the middle class. Once our manufacturing jobs are gone, they are gone and they are not comming back.

Once again, entitlement clogs the brain...

$12 per hour is more than what I was making when I worked my way through college and paid for my own health insurance. My parents didn't pay. That's also why they invented grants and student loans. Now I make way more than that. If it's not enough pay, get a better job, or a second job, or a better education. Nobody said you are stuck forever in that one job.

[Old Dood]

Originally Posted by steined

$12 an hour can EASILY cover health insurance. Health insurance isn't that expensive in this country. If you want unlimited health insurance, like most people in the US have, it is expensive, but I have INDIVIDUAL health insurance and it costs me less than $1000 a year. That's less than $100 a month. I have to pay for the first $2300 in expenses, so I save that much in a savings account in case I have to use it (about $200 a month). What happened to people taking responsibility for things like this? Why is it ok to spend $400+ a month on a car payment, but people are unwilling to pay $300 a month for health insurance and that savings account? Some people pay $130 a month for cable, and that's ok, no one demands universal cable coverage (yet), but they demand UNLIMITED health insurance for FREE. It just isn't right or American.

With ALL due respect and no offense intented....

$12.00/hour? Health Insurance is EASILY covered?
I want to live in your Utopia World!

No Effin Way... Not with a family.
I do not want to go to 'some' health care place and get a different Doctor everytime that is over worked and doesn't give a rat's buttocks for me.
I want to go to MY Doctor and have my needs met.

My wife works in the Health Care Industry as an Administrator and she would LAUGH at this.
There is more here then simply affording Health Care.
The whole system is over due to be re-invented in the first place.
Whole other subject copmpleatly.

$12.00/hour is SQUAT!
It is NO Coinicidence that our Standard of Living is dropping.
Reason for Everything.
It is not the workers totally to blame here. They share some...but not all.
Governments/Companies/Corporatism is what is really behind the curtain.

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by steined

$12 an hour can EASILY cover health insurance. Health insurance isn't that expensive in this country. If you want unlimited health insurance, like most people in the US have, it is expensive, but I have INDIVIDUAL health insurance and it costs me less than $1000 a year. That's less than $100 a month. I have to pay for the first $2300 in expenses, so I save that much in a savings account in case I have to use it (about $200 a month). What happened to people taking responsibility for things like this? Why is it ok to spend $400+ a month on a car payment, but people are unwilling to pay $300 a month for health insurance and that savings account? Some people pay $130 a month for cable, and that's ok, no one demands universal cable coverage (yet), but they demand UNLIMITED health insurance for FREE. It just isn't right or American.

What happens when your child has lukemia? Your garbage insurance only works when you do not get sick or need it. $12 per hour? Wow what a great life this guy is got. That means he will take home about $1,200 per month. $600 per month for his piece of crap ghetto apartment, $100 for gas and electric, $100 for cell & cable & phone, $100 per month to keep his 94 astro minivan on the road, $100 per month for auto insurance, and $200 left over to feed him and his family? Get real.

What American Axle is doing to their employees is criminal. Could your parents survive on half thier income? Could they have sent you to college? Did they take you on a nice vacation once a year when you were young? Did they have at least one new car every few years? Did you grow up in a nice nieghborhood? Did they schools you attended have a large percentage of kids that went on to college?

You union bashers just don't get it.

[pontiacjs]

Originally Posted by TruckMan

Once again, entitlement clogs the brain...

$12 per hour is more than what I was making when I worked my way through college and paid for my own health insurance. My parents didn't pay. That's also why they invented grants and student loans. Now I make way more than that. If it's not enough pay, get a better job, or a second job, or a better education. Nobody said you are stuck forever in that one job.

What did your folks do for a living? Did you grow up in a nice house with two cars in the garage? Did most of your high school buddies graduate and go on to college? When your folks only make 20k a year you do not grow up with those privaleges.

[roofer]

i can get health insurace for my dog for $29 a month , to make $12per hour to live on
you can do it but you have to live in you parents basement next to the sub-pump
that cheap insurance for $100 is base on a short term (6mos) they will drop you if you
get sick get real 12hr@40hrwk=$480less taxes soc,state,city,fed=320-rent=200-food
@$5perday=$50 - your $23 insurance=$27 sounds great

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

I feel the love, I'm always amazed when the pedigree carrying, high school drop-out slaming experts chime in on the wage issue.Perhaps it might sink in to the PhD toting gurus to look at their own skill sets. If a high school drop-out can command the same wage or more than the those who spent mommy and daddies money to go to the Institute of I Know It All. Your time would be better spent increasing your own skill sets so you can command a better return for you time spent working instead of using it to attack those who have what you covet. Lets not kid ourselves , for every low wage Foreign grunt used to take a line workers job ,there is a PhD packing wizard just waiting to step in to the lime light for a nickel on the dollar. Its not just the high school drop-outs who can't compete in the global wage roulette game that is being played. Spend time trying to raise the standard of living in this country instead of sniping at those who are at least putting forth the effort to hold the line.

Maybe someone who's job could probably be replaced by a well trained chimp shouldn't be so smug. We're not jelous, we're just trying to make you realize you are easily and quickly replaced. We are less expendable, but often not irreplaceable.