Editorial: Bankruptcy Watch 189: Poll Position
By Edward NiedermeyerNovember 14, 2008 -
In December of last year, a certain Peter Hart wrote an opinion column for Fairness And Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR). Hart decried the prevalence of polling in political coverage. Not only did he cast aspersions on the accuracy and reliability of polls, he identified them as a sinister threat to no less than "American Democracy." "The more fundamental problem for the press — and for American democracy —" wrote Hart, "is that the media's overreliance on polls encourages a kind of political conversation that prioritizes strategic consideration and tactics over substance." He didn't know how right he was. Today, Peter Hart Associates released the results of a poll of their own, gauging support for an auto industry bailout. Read the results in the Detroit News and you might be surprised. Read the poll itself and the Hart Associates client list, and that surprise should evaporate faster than Mr Hart's ideals regarding polls and their cynical abusers.
Editorial: Bankruptcy Watch 189: Poll Position editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Industry | Unions | 7 comments 
Buzz Hargrove: Still Full of Piss and Vinegar (Part 2)
By Samir SyedJuly 31, 2008 -
Buzz Hargrove doesn't mince his words. As demonstrated in Part 1 of this interview, the outgoing Canadian Auto Workers leader is fully aware of the Detroit domestics' dire financial peril. What's more, Buzz understands the balance between his members' welfare and the health of the automotive industry. Or lack thereof. "My first responsibility is to look after the interests of my members," Buzz admits. "But I tell my boys to look after the industry too. At every meeting." So, how's that going?
-
- The man and his legacy
Buzz Hargrove: Still Full of Piss and Vinegar (Part 2) editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Industry | Unions | 49 comments
Buzz Hargrove: Still Full of Piss and Vinegar (Part 1)
By Samir SyedJuly 30, 2008 -
Buzz Hargrove describes himself as "full of piss and vinegar." Well exactly. The combative Canadian has been instrumental in his country's union movement since 1964, when he represented a couple of thousand employees in Chrysler's Windsor plant. Now, having announced his 2009 departure from the Canadian Auto Workers' (CAW) presidency, Hargrove's enthusiasm for the labour movement remains undimmed. "I still love it," he says. "If I were 55, not 65, I'd be doing this for another 10 years." That said, Hargrove doesn't think Ford, GM or Chrysler will last that long.
-
- “I still love it. If I were 55, not 65, I’d be doing this for another 10 years.”
Buzz Hargrove: Still Full of Piss and Vinegar (Part 1) editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Industry | Unions | 28 comments
Detroit Deathwatch: Outrunning the Bear
By Robert FaragoNovember 3, 2007 -
In the battle for the American automotive market, Detroit’s fighting for its life, rather than supremacy. The truth is that the so-called domestic automakers are under siege; their non-union competition forced them inside the castle walls a long time ago. And while Toyota, Honda and Nissan are busy unleashing new and improved vehicles to vie for U.S. customers’ patronage, Ford, GM and Chrysler are busy retrenching, regrouping and re-arming, dreaming of both past and future glory. And when they’re not doing that, they’re tearing each other to pieces.
Detroit Deathwatch: Outrunning the Bear editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Industry | Unions | 58 comments
Strike Two! Is The UAW About to Strike Out?
By Frank WilliamsOctober 11, 2007 -
In this morning's Detroit Free Press, Tom Walsh declares that United Auto Workers (UAW) president Ron Gettelfinger had to "flex worker's muscles" by staging a six-hour strikelet against Chrysler. Gettelfinger "felt compelled to deploy the biggest weapon in his arsenal, the strike" to get agreements from GM and Chrysler. Granted, a strike is any unions' ultimate bargaining tool. But get real. I've had doctor's appointments that lasted longer than the Chrysler "strike." Exactly what did the UAW accomplish yesterday-- besides costing its members six hours' pay?
Strike Two! Is The UAW About to Strike Out? editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Unions | 25 comments
The UAW Goes Back to Work: Even the Winner Loses
By Frank WilliamsSeptember 26, 2007 -
The strike is over. The United Autoworkers Union (UAW) has announced they've reached an agreement with General Motors which will lead to a new contract for their members. Everyone's gone back to work. Everyone is happy, and all's right with the world-- at least until the full impact of the agreement hits the workers. At that point, they might realize that they gave up two days' pay and got practically nothing in return. Let's see how it adds up.
The UAW Goes Back to Work: Even the Winner Loses editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Unions | 76 comments
UAW: Do or Die at DENSO?
By Frank WilliamsSeptember 10, 2007 -
Desperate times call for desperate measures. Facing falling membership, the United Auto Workers (UAW) is rapidly expanding into non-automotive industries like education and health care. Meanwhile, the UAW continues its full-court press against Toyota and Honda's American factories. So far, the union's attempts to transplant unionism into the transplants' plants have been an abject failure. But try they must. And now there's a new object of their affections: Japanese parts maker Denso.
UAW: Do or Die at DENSO? editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Unions | 29 comments
The UAW’s Mad, Mad World
By Frank WilliamsAugust 28, 2007 -
Since the late 30's, the UAW and America's home-grown automakers have been locked in a balance of terror. The arrangement has kept the peace- at a price. Which was pretty much anything the UAW wanted. No-cost life-long health care? A "jobs bank" for superfluous workers? Sure! The Mutually Assured Destruction principle worked as long as the automakers could afford it. But now they can't, and the question is no longer who will blink first, but how much the UAW is willing to surrender to survive.
The UAW’s Mad, Mad World editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Unions | 53 comments
Chrysler Suicide Watch 20: Cerberus Bares Its Teeth
By Frank WilliamsAugust 9, 2007 -
When Daimler gave sold Chrysler to Cerberus, it seemed as if things were looking up for the beleaguered automaker. With a return to American ownership, they no longer had internal factions gunning for each other. Cerberus spoke highly about Chrysler's leadership; they would take a "hands off" approach to running their automotive acquisition. They offered union leaders assurance: we're in it for the long run. No need to worry about "strip and flip." And then Cerberus announced that Robert Nardelli would take over the reins. Ladies and gentlemen, the three-headed dog is finally baring its teeth.
Chrysler Suicide Watch 20: Cerberus Bares Its Teeth editorial continued »
Posted in Chrysler Suicide Watch | Editorials | Unions | 48 comments
UAW Negotiations: The Blame Game
By Frank WilliamsAugust 6, 2007 -
The contract negotiations between the Detroit automakers and The United Autoworkers Union (UAW) continue apace. The employers are adamant: they need union concessions to survive. BIG concessions. Citing a $25/hour labor cost differential between their operations and those of the transplants, The Big 2.8 claim their salvation depends on taking food from union workers' table negotiating large pay and benefit cuts. But would such concession from the carmakers' "partners" actually bail them out of hot water?
UAW Negotiations: The Blame Game editorial continued »
Posted in Editorials | Unions | 45 comments
POWERED