Quote Of The Day: Bring It! Edition

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

Last week, UAW boss Bob King revealed that his campaign to organize transplant auto factories had already begun with talks between his organizers and the factory operators. And though King suggested that his campaign would include the labeling of uncooperative automakers as human rights abusers, he refused to say which automakers he was speaking with, telling Reuters

We are in some preliminary discussions which we agreed to keep confidential so we will do that

But apparently not all the transplants are playing ball… both in terms of the discussions themselves as well as King’s commitment to confidentiality. Unfazed by King’s threats, Honda tells Bloomberg [via Kausfiles]

Honda has had no dialogue with the UAW and has no interest in a discussion with them. The issue of union representation is ultimately one for our associates to decide and, for more than three decades, Honda associates have spoken loudly and clearly by choosing to reject UAW outreach efforts.

Your move, UAW.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Herb Herb on Jan 18, 2011

    I'm not too acquainted with US labor relations. I have followed the UAW topics here only occasionally. Probably, someone here could give me some useful hints/links to better understand the issues involved. Do I understand it right, that the UAW policy is to establish closed shops, and only closed shops? Why would they insist to do so? Can't it be left to the worker at site to decide whether he wants to support a union or not? Are there any legal driving forces to do so? Any hints appreciated.

    • See 1 previous
    • Mikey Mikey on Jan 18, 2011

      @herb......Robert has summed it up fairly well.

  • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Jan 18, 2011

    BTW, anybody ever see the books for a collective bargaining agreement? These are very complex contracts Ford, 4-volumes, some parts dating back to 1949: 1. Agreements, ca. 400 pages 2. Benefit Plans & Agreements (Retirement & Insurance), ca. 400 pages 3. Benefit Plans & Agreements (Sup. Unemployment, Guaranteed Income Stream, Profit Sharing, Tax-Efficient Savings, UAW-Ford Legal Services Plans and Agreements), ca. 225 pages 4. Letters of Understanding, ca. 650 pages Even for a major 1-tier supplier: 1. Agreement, Letters & Sub-Plans, ca. 400 pages 2. Insurance and Pension Plans, ca. 375 pages

    • See 2 previous
    • Mikey Mikey on Jan 18, 2011

      Robert.....I believe it was the 1984 agreement that I first read. To be honest....maybe 80% I could actually comprehend. I was 31 years old. Question number 2..... Up till about 78 we had a good relationship. As I recall things started to crack, with Chrysler Canada staying on strike while the US settled. Back in 82 we had a little tiff with the UAW, they wanted profit sharing we wanted COLA. We settled with GM but the damage had been done. The UAW picked GM in 1984 and we went on strike. GM settled in the US but once again we stayed out. With our component plants on strike GM couldn't fire up the US plants. Things got real nasty. The perception at the time was one of "we ain't takin anymore US B.S f--ck em well go it alone" The CAW was born. Since then....IMHO, we have fared better than our US bothers and sisters. With our health care system, and a 75 cent dollar the American companies loved doing buisness with us. However,with the dollar at par, and US taxpayer owning 33%, and with the current political climate, I can see that situation changing real fast

  • Herb Herb on Jan 18, 2011

    @Robert.Walker: Thanks, I will try to follow your hints, but obviously this will need some time. Of course, the question was serious. But there are other models besides "closed shops". So, in the meantime I will remain wondering why the UAW can't change its business model to something like the German IG Metall, where nobody is forced to become a union member, even if he profits from agreements between companies and unions. It's up to the IG Metall to get members supporting them, on a voluntary basis.

    • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Jan 18, 2011

      Even though I'm living here in Europe more than 10 years, I'm in union-lite Switzerland, but I wonder if the german union model is an outcome of a balance somewhere in the relationship, like the fact than the union has representation on the boards of directors and comparatively union-friendly labor laws?

  • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Jan 18, 2011

    Regarding expatriation of wealth and race to the bottom... Given that the U.S. is of declining relevance as an exporter, sometimes I think that I would rather be paying more for US-made products and keeping my cash in the U.S./western economy than using it to build-up the chinese as a threat.

    • Robert.Walter Robert.Walter on Jan 18, 2011

      Additionally: Corrupt and inefficient as the unions are, they pale in comparison to, and are quite the opposit of, the chinese central committee ... and the the union supports human rights (good), and the CCC has atomic weapons, stealth fighters, and anti-satellite missles (very bad) ...

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