A UAW workers writes:
REMEMBER WORLD WAR 2? who did America & the World turn to in that time when Japan & Germany were murdering millions of people in the world – The WORLD turned to the Americans for help and how did America help win the war against Japan – I’ll tell you who it was, The Big 3 Auto Companies that’s who- FORD – GM & CHRYSLER – they rebuilt and retooled all their factories and plants so that they could build Tanks – and Jeeps and Trucks and Troop Carriers -Boat Guns and Ship Artillery Cannons – and many types of Weapons and other Equipment – Do you think that when World War 3 comes that Japan and other companies will retool their factories to help America – NO THEY WILL NOT. After 9/11 in New York, Who was it that gave 10 million dollars each? There was only 3 companies that gave that much and guess what else they gave? They gave Fleets of Cars and Trucks / SUVs’ and Building Spaces – It was the Big 3 -FORD -GM & Chrysler that’s who it was – I’ll tell you who else gave, it was USA Harley Davidson Motorcycles they gave 1 million dollars and a fleet of new Motorcycles for N.Y. Police Department – and with all that giving during one of our nations darkest time- Honda & Toyota and all the other foreign car companies DID NOT GIVE ONE PENNY to the people of the United States of America for 9/11 or Hurricane Katrina. Ford- GM & Chrysler Did.
The Big 3 helped Americans thru the bad times and tough times by giving, so we, America should show our support by helping them, by buying their products that in return supports OUR NATION and the AMERICAN PEOPLE who are Patriotic to this GREAT Nation. Do real Patriotic Americans want to see our U.S. Companies that provides 4-5 million people with daily jobs IN ALL 52 States Fail? and lose their jobs & pensions and retirements – How would you like to have worked for 30 yrs or more busting your back on the assembly lines, and after 30 + yrs have the pains and damages of working so hard every day, Arms and Fingers going numb, and all your joints and legs and backs hurting and can’t sleep due to body pains – Then lose your home, lose your car and all your furniture and belongings? Does America really understand how hard these people work building these vehicles and parts – I really don’t think they understand, maybe the Southern States in the south that are non-union – Oh, and by the way the UAW new Contract states that new hired people only make $14 per hour for the Big 3 – $15 bucks less than the Japanese plants. Japanese workers make $30 per hour, they just have fewer benefits and less people that are retired i! n the United States – but 10 yrs from now they will be in the same situation as Ford, Gm & Chrysler with more retired workers. Then the playing field will become more even. Now Congress wants to take more from the UAW workers, U.S. Workers only make up 9% of the cost of the cars or trucks, IF, EVERY True American bought a FORD-GM-CHRYSLER vehicle then all the problems would be gone, and the world would be talking about Japans-Korea’s-& Taiwan car makers in trouble, not the BIG 3. American BIG 3 Car Makers are building World Class Cars for the World, and The BIG 3 will prove it to the World by doing so, Are So-Called Americans- from States that have Foreign car plants so Anti-American that they would choose to let U.S. American jobs fail and go out of business and put around 4-5 million people out of work nation wide, what has become of True Patriotic Americans that support American jobs, by choosing a Car or a Truck or other American made U.S. products from the United States that in return helps the economy in all 52 states. Why have some of our leaders that we voted in Turned against the American worker – What has happen to our once great leaders that America needs, where are they? We need Leaders that are for the workers – we need Leaders that will bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States of America. America can not stand for this anymore, We the People of The Untied States of America must fight back against these foreign companies and start manufacturing our own products to sell to the world and provide better jobs and better wages for all of Americans, we must do this not only for ourselves, but we must do this for our children, and our grandchildren and their children for 100′s of years to comes, America must WAKE UP and open it’s eyes to what is happening to American manufacturing jobs, we must act now by supporting All American U.S. companies like FORD-GM & Chrysler. Americans can pull together and we can be the Super Power of the world that the World knows us as, not all Americans can go to college, that’s just the way things go for many Americans. So, what’s wrong with making a living busting your back in a factory, or on a assembly line making parts or building cars, making a good wage with benefits to have a decent life, with a simple home and a simple life – that’s the American Dream – and WE, as Americans need to believe in that dream again by Buying American Cars and Trucks and other American made products that supports our country The United States of America – not JAPAN – not CHINA – or Mexico or other nations. In Closing we have to do it for our Children, and our Grand Children and our pensions and their retirements and their pensions and theirs lives, WE must BELIEVE in America – We have to believe in ourselves again by acting on that Hope by buying American made Products. IN GOD WE TRUST – Michael W. Rucker – UAW assembly line worker for 22 yrs
116 Comments on “Bailout Watch 423: REMEMBER WORLD WAR 2?...”
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Citations needed
Oh, and spell check.
the economy in all 52 states.
Looks like Mr. Rucker failed some subjects in school.
Taiwan car makers
While I know Taiwan builds cars, I believe that they are mostly foreign owned plants.
American BIG 3 Car Makers are building World Class Cars for the World
Really? Cars built in the US? Wow!!!
Why do I picture John Belushi in Animal House?
I have a feeling I’ll be seeing this again. Or at least I would if I ever clicked on an e-mail message starting with “Fw:”
Thanks a lot, Farago.
He’s right, WWII will be another massively conventional war with battalions of tanks and bazookas and battleships and jeeps for everyone.
When the Germans decide to bomb Pearl Harbor again we’ll be sorry we didn’t listen to this guy.
Last November I was looking for a car. I wanted to buy an American car. I could not decide what car is more American: Honda assembled in Ohio or Ford assembled in Mexico. I ended up buying used Pontiac. That way I knew the money stayed in the community. Unless it was secularized and it’s derivatives were traded on several financial markets at the same time.
I tried to find an american car that met my needs when I was car hunting last year. The closest I could find was the Honda Element, designed in, for, and assembled by Americans.
This Auto Worker has to realize that in War Two, Honda and Toyota where not in North America!
Other countries including my own in World War two built Airplanes, Fighters for the Royal Airforce and also we started Sept 1939 at War with the Axis powers! Canada lost 42,000 people in that War, not bad for a Country of 11 million back then either.We all give what we can, no matter how much it hurts!
As for Sept.11th in New York, Washington, glad that all the US Auto and Motor cycle companies helped. It was good public relations for them.
What has this to do with Modern day Autos I don’t know!
If we end up having a need for the production like in WWII then we will probably end up commandeering the foreign company’s factories. If we end up in a despite struggle then no one will care about our countries PR image. The argument that the Big 3 did it out of their goodness of their hearts is untrue. There was a lot of money in the government contracts so the big 3 took advantage of it.
“When the Germans decide to bomb Pearl Harbor ”
I hope that was a typo and you meant to say “the Japanese”.
Forget it. He’s rolling.
He is taking this all far too personally and the guilt trip (Oy Vey! Come the apocalypse you should want?). The anchor for this guilt trip is WWII, for what some previous generation of management and worker did at GM/Ford/Chryco and likely profited doing too (war is good business, no?).
The most painful part of reading this was the lack of paragraphs. Reads like it came directly from a UAW propaganda extruder.
So that’s the reason I should be buying D3 cars, and there I was thinking your car choice was merely a personal preference.
Another thought comes to mind; Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel.
Ah yes! when all else fails hide behind the flag!
They shouldn’t be particularly upset about Mexico. We’re in the same trading block (NAFTA).
Awe shoot, I’ll throw in also.
I happened to be watching the the donation announcements after Katrina, IIRC Hondda and Toyota gave far more than the Fading 3.
Bunter
“who did America & the World turn to in that time when Japan & Germany were murdering millions of people in the world – The WORLD turned to the Americans for help “
Got to love Americans and their selective memories!
The world didn’t just turn to America for help. I believe that the UK, France and many other countries were involved. That’s why it was called a “WORLD war”.
Now let’s fast forward a few decades. Japan and Germany have bought many US bonds to help finance the US, not to mention built many factories in the US. The UAW worker also carefully omits where US companies have outsourced production to China, Mexico, Canada, etc. He also mentions about buying products which supports the US economy. Like the Ohio built Accord? Or the Kentucky manufactured Camry? Or the Alabama made Sonata? No. Maybe he means the Pontiac Vibe (You know? The one designed, and built by Toyota).
However, the UAW worker does make one valid point:
“We the People of The Untied States of America must fight back against these foreign companies and start manufacturing our own products to sell to the world and provide better jobs and better wages for all of Americans”
Japan has been ready to compete for some time. Well, Detroit, ready when you are…..
The spelling and grammar are awful. The facts are almost all blatantly wrong–52 States?, really?.
If it can actually be proven that a UAW worker penned this…um, piece, I promise to never buy another vehicle or associated parts or accessories assembled by a UAW worker.
If this is the way American workers write, then I, for one, welcome our new Japanese overlords. (Tongue somewhat firmly in cheek.)
Did these guys cut their own wage to $14 per hour?
Nope, I didn’t think so.
……Oh, just the poor guys coming behind you & working side by side next to you for half the wage. That’s quite a sacrifice considering the big 3 will not be in the position to hire tier 2(UAW lower cast employees) maybe forever! If and when they do hire, I’m sure they will love the feeling of solidarity of working with a group of people that earns twice what new people do. I’m sure the thought of not having a pension(ever) for tier two people will make them swell with team spirit!
I can almost hear the american flags flapping in the wind in front of the union halls.
The man is dead on right.
Now let’s fast forward a few decades. Japan and Germany have bought many US bonds to help finance the US, not to mention built many factories in the US
And who rebuilt these two nations after they destroyed themselves? We could have just let them become 3rd world nations but it was in our interest to build them up and make them allies.
I will say that without Detroit’s industry, the war would have been much longer. all the naysayers will say “bu bu bu there were factories elsewhere.”
No other city did more for the war effort than Detroit.
Actually UAW dude, the current problem set for you guys & your part of US industry is much more analogous to the name of a great band and the title of 1 of their discs,
the band is [teh ironyz; I haz it] “Bad Brains”,
and their album, “I Against I”.
–
Seacrest Out.
best of luck.
derm81,
The US the may have helped rebuild these countries, but the point was that Japan and Germany have more than paid back.
People can drum up what the big three did or didn’t do all they want.
No one will give a shit and go buy another Camcord.
Typical Americans can’t be bothered with history or heritage or forward thinking about having both foreign manufacturing and oil addictions. Whoever can provide what Americans think is the best/cheapest product wins. America, home of the brave, the free, the sell outs. It’s nice to sit around thinking about the past but in modern times no one gives a shit. Probably never will, not when a 70′s Vega let them down too many times.
I’m honored by the photo change.
I’d be mad if I was going to lose my job too.
Am I the first? No mention of how good ’ol Henry Ford admired/supported Hitler?
A little respect is due this and many other workers. They may have contributed collectively to the downfall of the industry in which they work, but maybe that was due to the war that’s fought between mismanagement and the workers in US businesses.
Meanwhile, I invite you to have a look at industry that is no more, in America. Images of Lost American Labor – the link starts with automotive:
http://www.lostlabor.com/automotive.htm
For some reason I really like the Studebaker shot.
http://www.lostlabor.com/auto06.htm
Gone now.
Today, on a short walk across three blocks, I counted twelve hair dressing salons; in one place, at an intersection, I could see five.
UAW Worker needs to check his facts:
BMW: $1 million in cash, 10 BMW X5′s, and 100 BMW Motorcycles to the NYPD
Honda: $1.5 million
Nissan: $1 million
Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries): $1 million
VW/Audi: $2 milion, plus 25 VW Vans to the NY Fire Dept.
you can check all this at:
http://www.snopes.com/rumors/automakers.asp
They do their research, so you don’t have to listen to myths!
how patriotic.. there was a depression, no one was buying cars anyway. Then the government decides to buy millions of trucks, tanks etc. (of course they pay three times as much than a private costumer) and the car companies produce it and take the money? How selfless of those companies…
Oh. let’s not forgot, GM and Ford also built trucks for the Nazis, for which they used slave labor provided by the SS. I’m really glad they are so patriotic and did not make those things for just money or so…
Standard Oil refueled German submarines in the Caribbean, maybe let’s call them patriots too since they sold oil to the US navy as well.
Yeah, pal, better trust in god.. because the school system has failed you bitterly. I’m sure you attached that sheet-metal with 52 screws instead of the 50 screws that are required.
Oh, and you are proud that the new hirees get half the wages you get? What a sacrifice that the UAW members made in the name of OTHER future members. It’s easy to negotiate the new hirees get $14 an hour when you can keep your $ 30 for sitting in a job bank all day. Like the big 2.2 would be hiring any time soon anyway (unless the taxpayer spits out some more money, of course).
Gosh, I’m an engineer attending grade school part time (paid on my own, not the union or employer) and make less money than you with an 8th grade dropout degree and you talk about the sacrifices you make? Maybe if you want to be more than an assembly line worker after 22 years you shouldn’t have whined all those years and should have gotten off your butt.
Do real Patriotic Americans want to see ……
….IF, EVERY True American bought a FORD-GM-CHRYSLER vehicle then all the problems would be gone,… …blah blah blah
Hmmm… where to start? Sort of like fishing with a stick of dynomite.
Eureka!!! I think I figured it out … RF, Fess up, did you write this yourself on a slow news day?
I’ve noticed a trend lately; insanely crazy, over-the-top, not-all-that-reasoned editorials guaranteed to ignite the keyboards of the regulars. (e.g., arrogant boy-racer doing a buck and a quarter through FL, angry All-Dealers-Suck-&-Must-Die dude)
Is there like some kind of secret Internet Sweeps Week where clickthroughs are measured to set ad rates?
PS: Is 1,000+ words the new editorial limit?
What of the industries other than the Big 3 that played a part in supplying the war? Should we look into bailing out the shipyards and getting them back to 1945 trim? If a shipyard has since ceased to be should we recreate and fund it?
Also, why limit ourselves to WW2? Let’s revisit every industry that supplied goods and services in every war in our history. The cannon foundaries near lake Erie could use a hand.
What a waste of time. I don’t mind controversy, but the posting editors here ought to at least require such “editorials” to have their basic facts down.
The US the may have helped rebuild these countries, but the point was that Japan and Germany have more than paid back.
No, I don’t think so. Aside from the direct costs the US incurred in leading the rebuilding of Japan and Germany after WWII, there were the vast and continuing costs of opening up our markets before other nations opened theirs. The US operated an intentional policy of lifing the world to a more rapid ascent toward more widespread wealth via its open market when others were more closed.
Further, the US subsidized — and continues to — Japan and Germany by assuming the role of front-line military defender of what’s nominally defined as The Free World. Both countries would need and would have needed much higher defense outlays if they truly had to fend for themselves. Neither pulls their weight militarily, still.
Further still, the US’ direct and indirect costs incurred in lifting devastated allies, liberated regions and lesser participants from WWII were not small either, nor is it done. Britain, France, Italy, Greece, et al all enjoyed more rapid recoveries from a post-war broken-state condition because of American generosity and an opened market. Plus those countries, too, have benefited from relaxed defense requirements, the UK’s characteristic strenuous vigilance notwithstanding.
No, it hasn’t been an even trade, nor did we ask for it to be. The American establishment concluded during and after WWII that western fratricide could not be allowed to persist, and that the key was proliferation of wealth and interlinking of economic common interest. We have the world we worked hard to get: many players with the strength to compete economically by more or less capitalist rules. Now we have to transfer some of our burdens to others, and more broadly compete in the international structure we intended.
We’re more than 60 years into an intentional policy with consequences both expected and unforseen. But if anyone thinks Japan and Germany, along with many others, have returned in equal measure what was invested and sacrificed by Americans, they’re not seeing what America did for the world holistically.
As for the original post, the many errors, ranting tone, and facts-not-checked aside, the general idea is sound: Americans have it within their power, sans any public funds, to ensure persistence of a healthy domestically-owned automotive manufacturing sector by virtue of their own purchasing power. It’s not patriotism that argues for this, it’s self-interest and it’s easy to do, now more than any time in the last 30 years.
Phil
Patriotism is way over-rated. What, just because you were born in a country automatically means that it’s the best country there is, with the best companies, and the best morals?
I’m Canadian and I reckon Canada’s a pretty good country overall, but if a major Canadian company starts acting like an idiot, I won’t back them up any more than any foreign company.
The Untied People of the United States demands more American-made cars, and more American-made paragraphs!
Anyway how dare these misguided foreigners try to export cars and other industrial-type things to other nations. Don’t they know that only America is allowed to do that?
So was Mr. Rucker’s GPA 0.0 as well?
BDB :
You seriously haven’t ever seen Animal House?
“So, what’s wrong with making a living busting your back in a factory, or on a assembly line making parts or building cars, making a good wage with benefits to have a decent life, with a simple home and a simple life – that’s the American Dream” – Nothing is wrong with making a living in a factory, but when did the American dream become making money, having a house and living a simple life?
The American dream is life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, or, Constitutionally speaking, “to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.”
An overpriced 2700 sq. ft. home, two new cars in the driveway, 2.5 kids and a chicken in every pot is just fine, but not – fundamentally speaking – what America is about.
“Britain, France, Italy, Greece, et al all enjoyed more rapid recoveries from a post-war broken-state condition because of American generosity and an opened market.”
What?! Are you having a flipping joke?!
The UK has NEVER recovered from the second world war. It ticked along during the 50′s, but due to a imbalance in population (few men around, due to the war) the UK never got back on its feet. Any slight increase in wealth had nothing to do with the “American generosity”. Eventually, in the 60′s it was acknowledged that the UK couldn’t “go it alone” (before the war, that thought would have been laughed at) and we had to forge ties with Europe. Likewise, France, Germany, Greece, Italy et al had to forge ties.
Due to globalisation (something which the US profited greatly from and never complained about, until globalisation started hurting its own industries. Then, suddenly, started crying foul), Europe had to band together. Not only for trade, but for military security. America, likes to think of itself as the protectors of the weak, but the fact is, Germany doesn’t need them. Europe can look after itself.
Americans extols the virtues of capitalism, but, strangely, use it when it suits them. Steel industry in trouble? No problem! Just put up steel tarriffs (which were illegal under WTO rules).
Like the saying goes:
Capitalism on the way up and socialist on the way down.
America is no exception.
Detroit assemblers replaced by Mexican assemblers;
Mexican assemblers replaced by Chinese assemblers;
Chinese assemblers replaced by robotic assemblers;
Robotic assemblers programmed by Det……..oh, never mind.
A Detroit talk radio host recently urged listeners to support their friends and neighbors by buying American automobiles. Unfortunately he chose the Ford Fusion to illustrate his theme, saying it exemplifies U.S. and UAW quality and craftsmanship.
Most of you will know the Fusion is manufactured at Ford’s Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, where the similar Mercury Milan and Lincoln ??? are also built.
The UK has NEVER recovered from the second world war.
The UK didn’t restore its world position after WWII, nor did it have any hope of doing so. But that doesn’t mean it didn’t recover. Britain is vastly wealthier today than it was in the immediate post-war years.
Any slight increase in wealth had nothing to do with the “American generosity”.
I’ve been to Britain many times and I have a British wife. I know the country well. If you think the US had nothing to do with the UK’s improved quality of life relative to 1950, you’re in serious denial of the facts.
Due to globalisation (something which the US profited greatly from and never complained about, until globalisation started hurting its own industries.
Some Americans have complained about globalization, which is also true for individuals of every other country, but “the US” has not complained about globalization. We instigated it and intended to.
America, likes to think of itself as the protectors of the weak, but the fact is, Germany doesn’t need them. Europe can look after itself.
Laughable. Europe hasn’t “looked after itself” since about 1939.
Americans extols the virtues of capitalism, but, strangely, use it when it suits them. Steel industry in trouble? No problem! Just put up steel tarriffs (which were illegal under WTO rules).
The political realities of mitigating capitalism do not make the US uncapitalistic. Steel industry tarriffs were an exception, not the rule, and anyway in the bigger picture were but a flea.
Capitalism on the way up and socialist on the way down.
America is no exception.
Exceptional for its swing being limited by degrees relative to others. But this has nothing to do with my original observations.
Phil
…Oh, and by the way the UAW new Contract states that new hired people only make $14 per hour for the Big 3 – $15 bucks less than the Japanese plants. Japanese workers make $30 per hour, they just have fewer benefits and less people that are retired i! n the United States – but 10 yrs from now they will be in the same situation as Ford, Gm & Chrysler with more retired workers.
Huge error! The transplant workers and just about all other non-union private sector workers have defined contribution 401k type retirement plans, not defined benefit pension plans. Check plan rating here http://www.brightscope.com/ The company pays all its going to pay while the employee is working and has no ongoing expense when the employee retires. Therefore, the non-union auto manufacturers WILL NOT be in the same situation as Ford, GM, and Chrysler because they have not promised future benefits in retirement.
This thing reads like one of those bogus spam emails, down to the attribution at the end. It seems to have made its way around the internet, too.
Has anyone confirmed the existence of this “Michael W. Rucker”? While I have no doubt that there are people who feel this way, I’d bet that this particular person doesn’t exist.
Mr Ressler,
So what you’re saying is putting in tarriffs to fend off capitalism, doesn’t necassarily mean that the US doesn’t like capitalism?
Nonsense. What it means is, the US likes capitalism…when it suits itself. One only has to look at the
handoutsloans for evidence of that. And the arguments around the steel tarriffs are laughable.As for increased wealth, I don’t think that had anything to do with the US and more to do with closer ties with Europe. The free trade in Europe helped get the UK back on its feet after it was a bit of an “economic basket case” in the 60′s and 70′s. Believe it or not, despite a lot of faults, Europe is quite helpful sometimes and it doesn’t try to take credit for help it didn’t do….
With regards to Europe not looking after itself, this just sounds like the mad rantings of country trying to make itself sound more important than it actually is.
By the way, my final comment about “Capitalism on the way up and socialist on the way down” had nothing to do with your comments and more to do with highlighting how ridiculous the US economy is. Preaching values you don’t truly believe in.
But you knew that, didn’t you…..?
P.S. I’ve just done a quick search online and this Michael W Rucker email is about 2 months old! This link shows that it was posted on their website on 02.01.2009.
http://www.policywank.com/2008/11/26/debunking-the-wages-of-uaw-workers/
I read this a while ago and decided to forgo any comment since I KNEW that bashing would occur.
But MY GOD the level of anti-US sentiment is truly disturbing…
I`m all for freedom of the press!
But your U.S.haters that post on this site should be a little more conscious of what GOOD the United States did and still does around the world!
As far as the UAW goes..I dont believe for a minute that ‘they’ work thier asses off’ any more than than most of us.but be that as it may,the manufacturers agreed to the wage packages and the UAW has made major concessions.
and as far as bashing a person for misspelling words,lets REALLY get dirty…you should be ashamed!
Poke fun at our school systems….Poke fun at the parents for not assisting their kids with an education!!
Make fun of our culture…go ahead,we don’t care!!!
Make negative remarks about our automobiles…most of the world didn’t know what one was without the ‘good old U.S.A.”
War reparations…….the biggest joke of them all,we got our reparations all right,if hate and jealousy were currency,we`d all be rich.
There is absolutely nothing WRONG with being a PATRIOT and wanting whats best for your country…even if you CANT SPELL IT!
And YES my next car will be manufactured by the BIG 3..or whatever is left!!!
P.S. I’ve just done a quick search online and this Michael W Rucker email is about 2 months old! This link shows that it was posted on their website on 02.01.2009.
http://www.policywank.com/2008/11/26/debunking-the-wages-of-uaw-workers/
or here:
http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-218189
He left his address and phone # at the above link
Nice house
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=1632+Pagel+*Lincoln+Park**,+MI+48146&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&split=0&gl=us
It was not long ago that Big 3 declared war on the American people by building crap cars that were deliberately designed to fail… They deminished the lives of millions of Americans and laughed all the way to the bank. Ironically, It took the Japanese and Germans to build reliable cars (along with websites like TTAC) that ended Big 3 tyranny.
Mr Rucker misses the point entirely. Build better cars and people will buy them. He can do his part by writing Gettelfinger a letter explaining how he believes that the domestic car industry cannot be competitive with the current union labor contracts, that big 2.5 loose $2k on every car because of related labor costs, and that overpriced UAW labor should do their part to cover their own healthcare expenses like everyone else. Mr Rucker, the guilt trip laden letter is completely ridiculous, because you’ve contributed to an unsustainable labor structure that’s existed for over thirty years.
This is why the D3 have such a terrible image. Guys like this come in and make us feel like Detroit cars are only for completely ignorant people. It’s like clothing. You don’t wear a wife beater and cut off sweat pants even if you like them. Why? Because only white trash would wear something like that.
George B :
February 28th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
…Oh, and by the way the UAW new Contract states that new hired people only make $14 per hour for the Big 3 – $15 bucks less than the Japanese plants. Japanese workers make $30 per hour, they just have fewer benefits and less people that are retired i! n the United States – but 10 yrs from now they will be in the same situation as Ford, Gm & Chrysler with more retired workers.
Huge error! The transplant workers and just about all other non-union private sector workers have defined contribution 401k type retirement plans, not defined benefit pension plans. Check plan rating here http://www.brightscope.com/ The company pays all its going to pay while the employee is working and has no ongoing expense when the employee retires. Therefore, the non-union auto manufacturers WILL NOT be in the same situation as Ford, GM, and Chrysler because they have not promised future benefits in retirement.
A HUGE error indeed!
The new Honda plant in Indiana pays about $16 per hour. They needed to hire 800 people and thousands applied for those jobs.
Hyundai pays around $14 per hour.
The southern transplants all have said they will address and adjust the wage scale to remain profitable.
That makes tier two a non issue. I don’t think you will find one single $14 per hour UAW worker anyware other than a handfull of janitors.