Comments on: UAW On Strike Against GM

Union Says Job Security Is Top Issue In First Nationwide Strike In 31 Years

[charlesdjohn]

What were the Union leaders doing when the Clinton administration and the democrats were pushing NAFTA?

They were blindly using all their members union dues to support to democrats just like they are doing right now.

The union forces it''s members to support the democratic party.

GM should mandate that the union listen to their workers when it comes to political donations.

[ianlou]

Why is it that corporate unions only get the bad rap? Auto, Airline etc. If we are going to eliminate unions in America let make sure to also kill the teachers union, the fire and police unions, postal and all other government unions.
Lets get ride of all pensions for goverment employees all the way to the top levels of Washington, let them depend on their saving abilities like the rest of us!
Why should they be spared simply because they are unaffected by the winds of capitalism and our new global economy.

And for all of you with post that basically say "screw-em, I''ve got mine"

BITE ME!

[mbcsmith]

The unions have killed the goose that laid the golden egg. They also have BOUGHT the LIB party.

[usayesterday]

"Gettelfinger didn''t offer specifics, but the UAW had been expected to ask GM for guarantees of future production at U.S. plants as part of the negotiations."
.......

Wow! That line so befuddling that you have to read it two or three times.

It''s quite clear that the UAW union leadership has never, NEVER taken a class, or learned anything in a subject called...


... E C O N O M I C S !


I mean really! "Guarantees of future production..."

So if sales of the Suburbans declined to only 100 units sold each year, the unions would want GM to continue to make (10,000 units for example) each month?!.... for the purpose of very large planter boxes? Or fish tanks?

1930''s tactics, with 1830''s thinking.

[slim1h2o]

Posted by olebd at 08:38 AM : Sep 24, 2007

You''re right, the unions should have been more balanced, when it came to saving workers jobs.
Sometimes though, you have to fight a mile, before you gain an inch. But also management won''t waste a second to cut costs, no matter what, the worker be danmed!

[olebd]

Where were the unions when jobs and manufacturing started bleeding out of this country in the 80''s? They''ve had over 20 years to fight it but have lost so far.

Today, jobs continue to be outsourced, manufacturing is done in third world and/or communist countries, and the CEO''s continue to make millions.

I believe it was the constant demands by unions for higher wages and better benefits that caused this to happen. The unions spent too much time looking out for the worker and not enough time looking out for that worker''s job. The unions have not shifted their paradigms since the days of sweat shop and child labor in order to keep up with the times.

[Krazcarl]

Raised in a union town in Maine {paper mill} to be honest one of the finest towns in the area better schools better fire and police protection due to taxes paid by union workers have 3 brothers in the union never lucky enough myself to work union but would if chance presented itself I would be first in line. The working man needs protection the union offers that mgt. could care less there only goal is to raise as much capital as they can and low wages and lack of bennies is there favorite tool ask any nonunion working man. But then again my favorite americaim is the infamos Eugene Victor Debbs, The only people anti-union are folks that wish they were in one or cooperate heads that want to make extra cash.

[slim1h2o]

The UAW members have to realize that companies are no longer going to take care of you forever. Many of the members have never worked anywhere else, and don''''t know how good they have it. The UAW needs to realize they are a dinosaur, and nearing extinction quickly. The union mentality has to stop, or the domestics will not be in business.

I''''m certain that the big three would be generous, if they were allowed to get rid of the dead wood.




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Posted by mainttom at 02:23 AM : Sep 24, 2007

So you would advocate that, on retirement, that workers be taken out back and shot! That''s one way to get rid of the dead wood!

People who have worked and slaved their whole lives should be treated with respect, after all they paid their dues, more ways than one !

And skyk, you are soooooo right!! Great post!!

[skyk-2009]

Well what the labor unions need to realize is that the world marketplace has now caught up with them. Also since their now the worlds #2 automaker its time to make some changes.

General motors can no longer afford to pay people 80,000 a year to install hubcaps on vehicles that are scoring lower and lower in neutral public tests and consumer forums.

By all means strike away and give Honda and Toyota a larger share of the automotive market. Great strategy useing 1930''''s tactics in the year 2007.

Posted by didntinhale at 07:28 AM : Sep 24, 2007
+ report abuse

Anyone who can not see what we have done by turning on our fellow American''s and fellow Workers, you are BLIND. These Workers worked HARD, very HARD for what they have and anyone who blames them for fighting for their pensions and Jobs is simply cutting their own Throats. Don''t think so? Look at where this nation was BEFORE we started down this "free trade" slope and where we are today. Our standard of living was FIRST in the entire world when we were lied to by the Corporations.. today? We are DEAD LAST in the Industrialized World and sinking lower. I fully support the Workers at GM and ALL Unionized American Workers. The stronger they are the better things are for ALL of us!!

[olebd]

If big labor unions will not support the people of this country with such an effort, I see no reason for the people of this country to support big labor unions.Posted by FeelFree1 at 03:37 AM : Sep 24, 2007

Wouldn''t this require all of us to pay dues, put on Grand Poo-Bah hats and say some chants? If so, I''m all for it! (except maybe the paying of dues)

I agree, to survive, the modern day unions have to spread out a bit more to help all workers, not just the few who still see some very nice benefits and above normal pay. They need to focus more on protecting workers rights instead of asking for more money and benefits as they seem to always do.

[peoplepower-2009]

The UAW needs to also realize there is no such thing as job security, even life itself. Who''s to say you won''t be hit by a truck tomorrow?

[feelfree1]

We desperately need a general-strike, in order to reclaim control of our country from the corporate pirates that have overthrown it.

If big labor unions will not support the people of this country with such an effort, I see no reason for the people of this country to support big labor unions.

Any union folks care to share their opinion on this matter?

[mainttom]

The UAW members have to realize that companies are no longer going to take care of you forever. Many of the members have never worked anywhere else, and don''t know how good they have it. The UAW needs to realize they are a dinosaur, and nearing extinction quickly. The union mentality has to stop, or the domestics will not be in business.

I''m certain that the big three would be generous, if they were allowed to get rid of the dead wood.

[condumism]

The Corporate, wholly owned GOP Congress of 1994-2006, and their elimination of US fuel economy standards, are the only reason this story indirectly subsidized by Corporate America (ie: CBS News) even exists.