Just what the economy needed

[Surfer]

This could have a crippling effect:
GM workers begin strike after deadline passes - Automotive - MSNBC.com

Detroit is already in a sh!thole situation, watch what this does to it, and national as well as on the new it said could be a long strike. GM sure as heck doesn't need it.

[wytstang]

That's smart we want job security so lets strike. Unions had there time/place, they are not needed today imo.

[P1et]

Doesn't everyone love a good union? Unions are the best thing in the world EVER!

[MotorCity Honda]

GM is doing the best of the big three which is why UAW is playing hard ball. Negotiations for GM is always first of the Big 3 and really sets the stage for Chrysler and Ford.

When UAW goes easy on GM the same happens for Chrysler and Ford because both OEM's know that they rolled over for GM.

Since GM is doing significantly better than the other two, they would have recieved little from the other two had they rolled over with the healthiest OEM of the big 3.

To be honest, this really may help GM if it is timed correctly. Inventory levels are high - EVEN IF GM idles plants to deplete inventories they STILL haver to pay thier union workers. This is the catch 22 that has led up to inventory levels that do not match demand and thus resulting in deep dealer/factory incentives. With strikes plants are down, inventories will not be further inflated and GM doesn't have to pay these workers...

[Gary Sword]

Originally Posted by MotorCity Honda

GM is doing the best of the big three which is why UAW is playing hard ball. Negotiations for GM is always first of the Big 3 and really sets the stage for Chrysler and Ford.

When UAW goes easy on GM the same happens for Chrysler and Ford because both OEM's know that they rolled over for GM.

Since GM is doing significantly better than the other two, they would have recieved little from the other two had they rolled over with the healthiest OEM of the big 3.

To be honest, this really may help GM if it is timed correctly. Inventory levels are high - EVEN IF GM idles plants to deplete inventories they STILL haver to pay thier union workers. This is the catch 22 that has led up to inventory levels that do not match demand and thus resulting in deep dealer/factory incentives. With strikes plants are down, inventories will not be further inflated and GM doesn't have to pay these workers...

Some good comments Motor City. As someone from the Detroit Area who grew up in a blue collar family I feel for the Union people but the Union needs to be realistic. GM as well as the other auto makers have lost so much money the last few years it's unbelievable. The benefits and wages paid to the UAW far exceed the wage and benefit packages paid by other automakers anywhere in the world. If the UAW is not more realistic in the end I think it will just mean less jobs in and US as they move more plants out of the county.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

I too am glad to see GM allowed the strike and stood strong ... there is over 1000.00 in health care costs added to EVERY car they sell over all other makes. GM fell from being the biggest employer in the world by allowing the UAW so much power over them. While this might hurt the economy (especially depending on length of walkout) it does set the stage for rebuilding the giant which in then adds to the employee's job security anyways. Once this is done Ford and Chrysler get to ride on its coat-tails so I guess we all know who's buying drinks tonight for top brass !

[supercharged]

what does GM paying an average worker an hour anyway?

[joe.p]

I stand strong for the UAW or any Union members for that matter...This country was built on the backs of slave wages...no offense but some of these comments sound like there coming from white collar workers and self employed business owners...02

[Gary Sword]

Originally Posted by joe.p

I stand strong for the UAW or any Union members for that matter...This country was built on the backs of slave wages...no offense but some of these comments sound like there coming from white collar workers and self employed business owners...02

I'm all for the workers but shareholders do have a right to make a fair return on their investment too. The shareholder's have taken a bath for a number of years. GM has had a few good quarters but it's going to take a lot more then that to make up for there losses in recent years. I have worked both blue and white collar jobs and I was a member of the UAW before. If the UAW pushes to hard I think it will just equate to more job losses in the US. I'm not sure what their current wage package is but it's very high compared to what an average person in the US makes (at least the UAW members that have not already been laid off because of plant closings). When they loose their job because of more plant closings and are unemployed or working for half of what they make now they're going to wish they had their jobs back. Just like the workers the company and it's shareholder's have a right to make money too. There were a lot of slave wages paid during the early industrial revolution in this country but the wages and benefits a current UAW worker makes if far cry from anything like that. A company needs to make money or no one is going to have a job.

[joe.p]

Gary..i agree people need a fair return on their investment..maybe CEOs of bigger companies should look at taking a pay cut...maybe cut back on Coperate spending..here in Illinois major Companies don't even pay their fair share in taxes due to the loop holes in the law..

Gary,the last time the UAW went on strike according to the news was back in 1976 31 years ago..when companies and government negotiate new contracts they want to take something back the object here is to keep what you have and ask for decent living wage and better benefits..for themselfs and family..

I hope i'm not coming of like A ss ..its surely not my intention