Welcome to the party folks, from someone who has been working to make GM better for 20 years. And just remember it is our intention to lay some pipe of our own.”
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Careful where you sit down if you’re laying that much pipe gmbuoy….you could get a nasty surprise!
I don’t blame the employees of GM for what’s become of their company. I’ll bet not one of them were involved in the styling of the Aztec or the decision to ramp up gas guzzler production with fuel prices at historic highs. That’s only two examples…there are hundreds more. GM has steadily been mismanaged into what it is today.
Their alternative fuel systems are nothing more then empty promises as todays battery technology is years from making a totally electric car viable for most people. Hybrids are proven to be the best alternative for now.
Even as GM loses 10’s of millions their management somehow justifies bonuses for themselves. I guess if you set the target low enough you’re bound to hit it.
As the company sinks further into debt is it any wonder that no sane investor would risk a dime on it’s stock?
The UAW has looked after itself by making its pension/benefit administration deal and selling out its members wages in return. The UAW nailed it’s own coffin shut by doing this deal. They reversed years and years of hard fought wage increases in one session at the bargaining table just to get access to its members $$$.
Who is watching the UAW administration as they look after all this money?
I agree with you that the CAW will suffer the same fate when it’s turn at the negotiating table comes up. With a dollar at par and the free trade agreement in place Mexico will be the only winner here.
Tough times ahead for the entire industry in N.A.

The real point is that the employee’s in Cambridge have always relied on the CAW / UAW to set the wage scale and as long as Toyota came close they would never organize.

It isn’t raiding, the CAW has tried and failed at least twice in Cambridge

Now with the results of the UAW agreement in the states, the VEBA at Ford, GM and Chryslerebus and the impending changes with the CAW, Toyota is laying the pipe to their aging, slowing, health care costing workers in Cambridge.

My bet is that the folks in Cambridge can get ready for a wage reduction into the 90% range of what the UAW/CAW settle for, which will be about 12 bucks an hour. Signing up with a union is inevitable even for the Cambridge workers who have enjoyed the results of UAW/CAW influenced wages for twenty years, without ever so much as one good information picket.

Welcome to the party folks, from someone who has been working to make GM better for 20 years. And just remember it is our intention to lay some pipe of our own.

-Overtime demands caused by unrealistic management expectations of the PA (production availability) of inadequate equipment. Expectations of a 96% + PA seem to be unrealistic

-A change in benefit provider from Great West Life to Sun-Life was put in place and somehow resulted in reduced levels of coverage and many disputed claims…..seldom experienced under the former provider.

-A stepped up policy of disciplinary action taken by management against employees and the general feeling of inadequate and half-hearted representation by the HR representatives to dispute these actions.

-Reduced starting wages paid to new employees and a probation period that could see them work over 2 years on contract before being offered full time status.

-Proposed shift changes for some that, if mandated by TMMC would result in forced overtime on weekends at reduced levels of pay. (At present all Saturday hours are paid at 1 1/2X and Sundays at 2X) A “lifestyle change specialist” was hired by TMMC to prepare those affected.
If/when these shift changes occur it will be communicated that it was because of the results of the “survey” given to the employees and “thats what you wanted”….a tired old story that has worked well for them for the past 18 + years.

-Having said all that I have to say that TMMC has been an exemplary company in the Cambridge area and has many good people who want to see it succeed. As a company which has grown at a rapid pace it also has its problems.
Many feel frustrated in the way TMMC makes decisions and changes with very little input from the majority of its people who are employed in lower level jobs. No non-union company gets a union unless they deserve one. Thursdays vote will tell if TMMC needs one…50% + 1 rules either way.