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.
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.
If parts plants are effected, this might also impact Mexican or Canadian production although GM could have stockpiled material at those locations. But, they don't need to move the plants - they could hire replacements at some point, perhaps only at key plants like the trucks, SUVs, Lambdas. Given the UAW's dwindling influence, I don't know how hard that would really be.
Poor GM... I think it'll take a financial and legal genius for them to find a way to fire every single unionized employee and to hire competitively. It's the only way to ensure a stable ground to build a future upon. I hope for the best for the company, but the worst for the union.
But hey, honestly, I'd like to see the UAW strike to the point of permanently crippling GM. This would ring the death knell, GM exec's would plan an exit and comeback strategy WITHOUT unions. GM is far too important and big to disappear forever, and a legal team would be able to engineer the company's way back to health. Ford, Chrysler, and any other company with unions would watch in horror, and summarily fight tooth and nail to have the union prove they aren't a lethal parasite.
It's kind of like open heart surgery, got to "kill" the patient in order to save the patient.
If parts plants are effected, this might also impact Mexican or Canadian production although GM could have stockpiled material at those locations. But, they don't need to move the plants - they could hire replacements at some point, perhaps only at key plants like the trucks, SUVs, Lambdas. Given the UAW's dwindling influence, I don't know how hard that would really be.
Not really. Unions can be pretty violent towards temporary workers. They can and will block the gates and lock the factory if GM brings in temporary workers.
I'd say bring in a temp workforce and just hire them for a couple of years, but you know there will be intimidation and desperate measures done by the UAW.
It's happened before....it's just a really big way to extort money.
I really wish those workers would just break free from the Union. That way they and GM can get back to making money.
One of the first employees to pick up his sign was Dave Tucker, a 22-year employee who was heading out for the first strike of his GM career. "It needs to be done," said Tucker. "It is a big corporation taking advantage of the people. I back my union 100 percent with whatever needs to be done."
Wouldn't this be a great opportunity for GM to reduce it's pile of unsold vehicles sitting in storage lots at the same time not having to meet payroll while the workers are out on strike. The strike would allow GM to sell down it's existing stockpile all the while not having to spend cash to meet the weekly payroll.
One of the first employees to pick up his sign was Dave Tucker, a 22-year employee who was heading out for the first strike of his GM career. "It needs to be done," said Tucker. "It is a big corporation taking advantage of the people. I back my union 100 percent with whatever needs to be done."
Sheep. He does what his union tells him and refuses to think for himself. Someone probably told him that big bad management tried to fire him and repo his house.
Not really. Unions can be pretty violent towards temporary workers. They can and will block the gates and lock the factory if GM brings in temporary workers.
I'd say bring in a temp workforce and just hire them for a couple of years, but you know there will be intimidation and desperate measures done by the UAW.
It's happened before....it's just a really big way to extort money.
I really wish those workers would just break free from the Union. That way they and GM can get back to making money.
But, the union at Hormel foods in Austin, Minnesota tried to block access to the factory and the then Governor (a Democrat) called out the National Guard to secure the plant and allow it to operate. I imagine the Democrat Governor in Michigan might be more interested in the UAW's cause.
I just don't think GM or the union are what they once were.
But, the union at Hormel foods in Austin, Minnesota tried to block access to the factory and the then Governor (a Democrat) called out the National Guard to secure the plant and allow it to operate. I imagine the Democrat Governor in Michigan might be more interested in the UAW's cause.
I just don't think GM or the union are what they once were.
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.
Sheep. He does what his union tells him and refuses to think for himself. Someone probably told him that big bad management tried to fire him and repo his house.
If Ford and Chrysler were smart, they would tell all their Unionized workers to go home. They are not working until an agreement is in place. That would kill the Unions stockpile of money very quickly.
GM needs to hire good people...so they need good compensation. That's what happens in the real world.
It pisses me off, yes. I paid lots of money for what I consider to be a good product, but keep in mind that GM hires way more union members than management. The big compensation for management that came out of my purchase doesn't bother me as much as the UAW. I just can't agree with the jobs bank and their too firm stance on healthcare.
This is opposed to giving good compensation to people who just threaten strike every few years. You end up with crappy people getting paid the same as good people that way.
UAW gets an employee discount on their cars. You want them to have free houses and cars, too?
I know several GM "management" folks. None of their houses are paid for by the company. Are you talking about Wagonner and Lutz? I suppose that's a possibility....
If Ford and Chrysler were smart, they would tell all their Unionized workers to go home. They are not working until an agreement is in place. That would kill the Unions stockpile of money very quickly.
First, I absolutely despise the UAW for picking GM as its' strike target. Not that they had a choice, but they picked the only remotely close to profitable manufacturer they could so as to squeeze them at a very crucial turn-around point.
Second, I hope the UAW as a whole and EVERY striking member goes absolutely bust because of this. I would normally not wish ill-will on people, but if you are dumb enough to ignore the reality of the domestic car industry, then you should end up homeless and your family who depended on you should move in with your in-laws you loser!!!
Stop burying your head in the sand and following your UAW leadership like a Lemming, and get back to work so the rebuilding of our domestic auto industry can continue.
I know several GM "management" folks. None of their houses are paid for by the company. Are you talking about Wagonner and Lutz? I suppose that's a possibility....
I'd like to 'hear ya' on why that comment is even relavent considering who you quoted originally...
You are the quintessential stereotyped UAW employee, which gives bad names to all of the other UAW employees who
a) think, and
b) appreciate having a good paying job
Now me, the people I work with?
We were saying goodbye to each other as they headed for the doors, both saying we hoped that the strike was over soon so we could all get back to work.
But whatever. Keep the ignorant attitude, and make yourself believe this strike is because GM is trying to take advantage of you, and the UAW is just trying to 'protect underpriveledged workers'. Ignorance is bliss.
GM needs to hire good people...so they need good compensation. That's what happens in the real world.
It pisses me off, yes. I paid lots of money for what I consider to be a good product, but keep in mind that GM hires way more union members than management. The big compensation for management that came out of my purchase doesn't bother me as much as the UAW. I just can't agree with the jobs bank and their too firm stance on healthcare.
This is opposed to giving good compensation to people who just threaten strike every few years. You end up with crappy people getting paid the same as good people that way.
UAW gets an employee discount on their cars. You want them to have free houses and cars, too?
uhhh no but people who make 6 figure salaries should pay for their own stuff
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
GM Inside News Forum
3.5M posts
83.7K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to GM owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about General Motors news, concepts, releases, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!