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UAW Strikes Against GM!

31K views 371 replies 132 participants last post by  tonystewart 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
STRIKE! UAW Workers Walk Off the Job


DETROIT – United Auto Workers union members walked off the job and began picketing outside of several General Motors plants today after a contract negotiation deadline passed.


The work stoppage represented the first significant contract-related GM labor strike since 1984, when the UAW struck 25 facilities for 13 days.


GET UPDATED UAW-GM RELATIONS NEWS HERE







David Barkholz


The UAW called a strike against General Motors today after UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said he was "shocked and disappointed" by GM's positions at the bargaining table.​

An official at UAW Local 652 in Lansing, Mich., confirmed the walkout at 11:06 a.m. EDT. The UAW said it set the strike deadline over the "failure of GM to address job security and other mandatory issues of bargaining."​

The strike against GM includes about 73,000 UAW-represented employees throughout the United States.​

It is the first stoppage against GM since 1998 when a 54-day strike at parts-making operations in Flint, Mich., shut GM production nationally costing the company more than $3 billion.​




PHOTO CREDIT: AFP


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#28 · (Edited)
Re: Strike Is On

KUZCO said:
united we stand divided we fall, its on now
United we stand? You mean that united arm of the company that happens to build the car...and to the hell with product quality and everything else. The sad part is that the UAW considers itself seperate from the company.

United we stand? The Japanese competition is having a party RIGHT NOW. Why don't you wave that flag?
 
#30 ·
These people are so narrow minded that they can't realize what type of damage it will do not only to their work, but to those who employ them. I am hopeful of an agreement that will benefit everyone, but know that even with that, many will still feel that they have been forgotten. Don't make yourselves out as the victim, UAW, when you victimize those who believe in your hooey!
 
#31 ·
I think the est meant "estimated," not Eastern Standard Time. Because it's not 12:15 yet.

Personally, I think this one could last a while. Not good. Good luck to anyone trying to buy a Lambda for under MSRP. And the Malibu and CTS launches could take a big hit.
 
#32 ·
I don't see how the UAW can say with any credibility they value (or expect) job security, since it has already lost about a third of the membership it had just four years ago.

This might be a great opportunity for GM to reduce its unsold vehicle inventories
 
#37 ·
Striker saying rumor is that there is a tentative agreement. But that's just hearsay from a guy on the line.

Official word from GM is that they're "disappointed." And that there is no tentative agreement.

If this ends quickly, then GM blinked.
 
#38 ·
Why does it seem unions only care about the short term...Dont they realize how dire the long term issues are...If the union leaders cared about the future generation of union members, we would have a deal already...All they seem to care about is now...That will be the death of them...:confused:
 
#41 ·
Re: Strike Is On

jwrebholz said:
"We did everything possible to negotiate a new contract..."

Everything possible to make sure the contract didn't change.

Lovely. GM is finally getting its act together and turning things around, and now this.
Brilliant interpretation. Brilliant. That is exactly what that means.
 
#44 ·
Re: Strike Is On

igor said:
not really - read Friday articles how GM is the best position from all Big3 to simply move all production out of US into Canade, Mexico, South America, Korea and China - a redical move like this would sufddenly turn the tables on the manufacturing costs and make GM cars cheaprto build than Japanese cars.

I think this is a unique opportunity for GM.

Igor
But how far along are they? Can they start building sigma's and lambda's soon or will it take 2 years of setup?

GM doesn't have much leverage unless they can start producing ASAP out of country.
 
#45 ·
The short sighted greed UAW really astounds me. Don't they understand that the very exisitance of their member's jobs is on the line?

They really blew it on this one. Instead of taking managment-union relations to a new level of cooperation they fell back on the long proven to be harmful, bullsh*t, socialistic, "us vs. them" mentality. I hope GM stands their ground and the UAW settles soon, otherwise I fear that many of the jobs they are "protecting" will be in Mexico or China 10 years from now
 
#46 · (Edited)
The union controlled healthcare and benefits is a groundbreaking step for the auto industry.

I encourage GM to hold out as long as possible, and make sure the UAW doesn't profit from this and that benefits and heathcare transition smoothly with this change.

It has to be done. GM is doing a public service. Many unions all over the country have made this change...it's not fair that the UAW is allowed to be archaic and unyeilding.

I wish I can hold companies hostage by telling all of their workers to go on strike. It's obvious that the UAW doesn't care about the job they are doing as long as they get their payraise and no changes are made to adjust to a constantly changing market.

I think GM should lift the rebates right now, end zero percent financing and hold out for a few months. Most of their cars are at 90 day inventory levels or more.
 
#47 ·
blank disk said:
Question:

What does this mean for the other two?

Also, I bet someone will blink quickly. Nobody wanted this and they were just pushing each others buttons.
Ford and Chrysler have "indefinite" contract extensions with the UAW pending the outcome of GM negotiations.

So until GM and the UAW reach an agreement Chrysler and Ford operate under the old contract.



 
#49 ·
This is bad. I was really hoping that UAW would understand what is at stake. GM could not shut down factories easily. They also could not move building these vehicles else where easily. What if the Korean Unions support the UAW? Aren't some of the suppliers unionized? How do you setup a distribution of those parts made here by non-union to the Mexican, German or Chinese Factories? This is just bad, period.
 
#50 ·
ejfx said:
Why does it seem unions only care about the short term...Dont they realize how dire the long term issues are...If the union leaders cared about the future generation of union members, we would have a deal already...All they seem to care about is now...That will be the death of them...:confused:
Socialists never think long-term. Look at Europe's labor position, for example. You know how long they've been needing reform?
By definition, living off other people, they are always the last to understand economics.
 
#51 ·
This will give the engineers and supervisors a chance to run some machines and make some parts/assemble some vehicles!

Also, GM will save some $ on payroll.

No one has ever accused the UAW of being the most strategic organization in the world........true, they were an integral part of shaping America's middle class for the past 60 yrs, but striking at a time like this is preposterous!
 
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