Automakers and unions

[Shearwater]

Originally Posted by prowler3

I'll be buying anything BUT American made automobiles, in the future.

If you intend to buy German cars instead, be assured that we are proud both to produce high quality cars and allow for ample codetermination in our factories. It's a different system compared to the US, but it has ensured prosperity and social balance over the last 60 years.
Unions are absolutely necessary. Our would you prefer that everything is decided top-down from people who do not have the resemblance of the faintest idea of what it actually means to work? Of course unions aren't perfect, and there might well be some points where they have overstepped the mark. But then blame the people in charge, not the unions as a whole.

I've just read that the Tata Nano is planned to be introduced to the US market in 2 years. (http://jalopnik.com/5182270/tata-pla...-for-us-market). If they ever intend to produce a pickup version, I'm sure you're in for a treat. And you don't have to worry about excessive wages in India.

[CaptainHaplo]

Actually - buy American - aka - Ford. Ford deals with the unions, but is SOLVENT on its own - and thus is the PICTURE of why capitalism works. The UNION didn't kill GM - though one could say it helped. Honestly - the suits did more to kill GM than the unions (and I am NOT a fan of unions). Bad management - has lead to the American people bailing them out. Instead - reward what has worked - a capitalist company - out to make money - working with its union employees to make a business that doesn't need a handout.

My next vehicle will be a Ford. If you buy foreign - your either going euro or far eastern. Euro makes as well as the far eastern makers build some cars here - meaning they have unionized workers. If its an import - Euro makes use unionized labor - and the UAW is nothing compared to euro unions.... Depending on the far eastern manufacturer - some are unionized, while others are sweatshops. Is that how you want to use your money to support that type of operation? Think before you dole out the cash my friend. By Ford.

[FIREWALL]

Base Camaro v-6 entry level $32,000.00+

Mustang GT loaded $27,000.00


Speaks for it self.

[sunvalleyslim]

Strength comes with Unions............But when times are hard they lose what they are trying to accomplish. They never want to concede anything they have have all ready gotten.
They need to step back, especially at this time and make concessions. They need to realize that with a gobal economy they need to redirect. Stubborness does'nt cut it.
Hey nobody wants to lose anything they have. We have been told to share the wealth. All to often we have been told that the wealthy have taken from the poor (middle class). We have all seen abuses in our system. But one thing stands clear....when you open up competition, the best stand tall. And we need that. Not everyone of us will be at the top. It's a fact. I wanted to be a Naval Officer, but I didn't make the necessary effort. So I was an enlisted man. But still my job was important for the sucess of the "Boat". Capitalism works to encourage the best out of all. "Not all can be the best"....Sorry for the mistakes, must be the Jack Daniels in me.

[Shearwater]

Originally Posted by sunvalleyslim

Strength comes with Unions............But when times are hard they lose what they are trying to accomplish. They never want to concede anything they have have all ready gotten.
They need to step back, especially at this time and make concessions. They need to realize that with a gobal economy they need to redirect. Stubborness does'nt cut it.

Generally, I agree. Having said that, I have read a newspaper article that morning about the employment situation in Germany, and it dealt with precicely that matter. Both Employers and employees in Germany work very hard to keep their staff. For the time being, reduced hours is the watchword, which, of course, means financial cutbacks. Companies have learned their lessons from the early nineties when we had an economy crisis due to the German reunification. They sacked a lot of workers, not only the unskilled ones, and had a hard time to rebuild a competent workforce. Not to mention the huge impact on the social insurance systems.
This time, companies are much more willing to keep their workers, although at the moment the big question is for how long they maintain that policy.

Originally Posted by sunvalleyslim

Not everyone of us will be at the top. It's a fact.

True, but I often think about what happens to those at the other end ... People need to have the confidence that they can still contribute even if they're not at the top.
The most important thing is that employers and employees depend on each other. This is no time for fighting.

[Zachstar]

More concessions? Sure make us give up more for the mistakes of people who have zero idea how bubbles work or cant see around the SUV corner.

In case one has not noticed. Trickle up economy works. People I talk to are feeling it is safer to spend a little now that minimum wage has gone up. The economy is getting better.


I will admit tho. Enemies of workers rights are extremely sneaky and educated in the ways of union busting. I rarely go a few days without some brainwashed fool tells me (UFCW BTW) how unions will mean the death of America. After which of course they usually claim Obama is not an American or is a Muslim.

[FIREWALL]

Half of something is better than, all of nothing.

There has to be give and take. I think it's called Compromise.

I hope the Suits and the Union don't learn the hard way.

[Zachstar]

The unions are just about done with the concession game. The suits have taken very little "compromise" in comparison.

The economy is coming back. Much to the dismay of union busters who use each and every recession to fight unions. The game is over.

Instead of fighting unions a better tactic is to simply adapt. So much money is spent on union busting campaigns that would be FAR better spent in R&D.