How concerned are you with the possible UAW strike?

[olderbudwiser]

A biggie the UAW wants is a return of COLA. That was traded off for profit sharing. Now they want both.

If one feels they are underpaid go find another job that pays more. If you have no skill set for a higher paying job that's on you.

I was a UAW employee for about 3 years at GM. The nonsense I saw made my stomach turn. Especially damaging company equipment to shut the line down. I knew then I was moving on.

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[Esteban88]

Unions once served a real purpose. They are just driving companies to move production overseas these days.

No doubt company profits and executive pay would increase even more if union members are forced to compete with factories in third world countries.

American auto workers are paid less than their EU counterparts where auto factories are completely unionized and are producing quality automobiles. That includes VW, Mercedes, BMW and Tesla. Those who advocate breaking the back of unions are also advocating for the hollowing out of the US middle class.

Unlike the US, the government in Germany in involved in making sure labor strife is minimized through it's policy of co-dermination. Union representatives participate in managment decisions and sit on the board of directors.

 

[NJBob]

My brother worked as a welder at a plant that built GM frames. If the light bulb at his station went out, the entire line stopped waiting for an electrician to come replace the light bulb. Not exactly something that requires an electricians skill set. Unions once served a real purpose. They are just driving companies to move production overseas these days.

Yes ridiculous. Unions have to understand that no company no job. It is in their best interest to know the companies sussess will be theirs to. Management has a role too giving into demands for short term profits. Then cry later on. Negotiations are very complicated both sides have to win.

 

[son of a ..sven]

Name	Title	Gross Salary	Benefits & Other Compensation	Total Compensation
CYNTHIA ESTRADA	VICE PRESIDENT*SEE ITEM69	$190,907	$128,414	$319,321
RAYMOND CURRY	PRESIDENT*SEE ITEM 69	$212,396	$60,330	$272,726
TERRENCE DITTES	VICE PRESIDENT	$198,525	$39,619	$238,144
NIRAJ GANATRA	SPECIAL COUNSEL	$197,728	$15,132	$212,860
FRANK STUGLIN	SECRETARY TREASURER	$193,719	$16,123	$209,842
CHARLES BROWNING	VICE PRESIDENT	$190,499	$18,425	$208,924
TIMOTHY BRESSLER	CHIEF OF STAFF	$189,670	$17,917	$207,587
MITCHELL SMITH	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$182,542	$23,488	$206,030
RONALD MC INROY	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$182,542	$21,253	$203,795
STEVEN DAWES	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$182,542	$17,736	$200,278
WAYNE BLANCHARD	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$181,957	$17,088	$199,045
BEVERLEY BRAKEMAN	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$175,841	$22,187	$198,028
KEVIN PACK	ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT	$134,251	$61,229	$195,480
JEFFREY BINZ	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$176,982	$17,447	$194,429
JEFFREY SODKO	DEPUTY GENERAL COUNSEL	$183,131	$9,860	$192,991
TODD BRIEN	EXECUTIVE ADMIN ASSISTANT	$173,792	$14,942	$188,734
GEORGETTA PAULIN	ORGANIZER	$117,957	$62,040	$179,997
BRYAN CZAPE	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$164,063	$15,833	$179,896
WILLIAM KING	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$164,063	$14,070	$178,133
CARLOS BERMUDEZ	ATTORNEY	$167,220	$9,743	$176,963
KIMBERLY GEROMIN	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$165,435	$10,411	$175,846
ALLEN WILSON	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$161,277	$14,225	$175,502
JAMES HARRIS	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$159,467	$14,921	$174,388
JEFFREY DOKHO	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$160,672	$11,881	$172,553
WILLIAM KARGES	ATTORNEY	$161,401	$10,861	$172,262
BRETT FOX	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$155,481	$15,407	$170,888
JEFFREY SHROCK	ASSISTANT - REGION	$157,886	$12,713	$170,599
LEIGH KEGERREIS	ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT	$157,775	$11,712	$169,487
LAURA DICKERSON	REGIONAL DIRECTOR	$153,016	$15,672	$168,688
BRANDON KEATTS	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$149,886	$18,363	$168,249
DAVID STALNAKER	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$150,070	$17,418	$167,488
STEVEN ZIMMERLA	ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT	$155,033	$12,401	$167,434
TIMOTHY SMITH	ASSISTANT - REGION	$141,644	$23,422	$165,066
DELRICO LOYD	TOP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSIST	$149,886	$15,122	$165,008
JAMES BRITTON	ATTORNEY	$154,749	$9,755	$164,504
JOHN EBLIN	ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT	$139,725	$24,203	$163,928
AVA BARBOUR	ATTORNEY	$154,155	$9,473	$163,628
ANTONIA MCCLAIN	ORGANIZER	$115,643	$47,650	$163,293
BRADLEY DUTCHER	ASSISTANT - REGION	$144,241	$17,654	$161,895
FRANKIE SERRA	SENIOR BENEFITS SPECIALIS	$147,147	$14,533	$161,680
THOMAS ASHTON	ORGANIZER	$148,711	$12,527

 

[JayBoegs]

Solidarity

 

[SLINGSHOT]

I worked about half of my working years in union shops and half in non-union. Give me union every day of the week.

 

[fossil]

My brother worked as a welder at a plant that built GM frames. If the light bulb at his station went out, the entire line stopped waiting for an electrician to come replace the light bulb. Not exactly something that requires an electricians skill set. Unions once served a real purpose. They are just driving companies to move production overseas these days.

WOW, how stupid is that? Imagine designing a production line that was vulnerable to one blown bulb. Plant engineer needed to be fired.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

No doubt company profits and executive pay would increase even more if union members are forced to compete with factories in third world countries.

American auto workers are paid less than their EU counterparts where auto factories are completely unionized and are producing quality automobiles. That includes VW, Mercedes, BMW and Tesla. Those who advocate breaking the back of unions are also advocating for the hollowing out of the US middle class.

Unlike the US, the government in Germany in involved in making sure labor strife is minimized through it's policy of co-dermination. Union representatives participate in managment decisions and sit on the board of directors.

those who wish to 'break' the UAW are the same kind of people who think that big business actually cares about their hourly employees. i've often wondered why theres so much resistance to the idea that people who carry a lunch box to work get their fair share of the profits that they help generate? yet the corporate class and a great many of those that carry a briefcase to work are often applauded for their outrageous compensation packages.

just because we carry a lunchbox to work doesnt mean that our work has little value. the recent worldwide covid shutdown for almost everyone except for those workers considered 'essential' opened a lot of folks eyes to just how under valued and underpaid vast segments of 'these essential workers' really are. to just offer 1 example. its 2am and the toilet is overflowing or jammed. would you consider someone who knows their way around a pipe wrench 'essential'? for a more insightful discussion of this check out Mike Rowe's testimony to congress on impotence of the underpaid and undervalued work of those folks who do the 'dirty jobs' that make our modern world possible.

you like a 8hr workday?-thank a union; you like a 5 day workweek? thank the unions; do you like paid time off? health care? thank the unions. do you see where i'm going here? have there been and are there some unions that have been corrupt or counter productive? of course the answer is yes, but if you think for an instant that the big businesses in this country just gave these things to their employees out of the kindness of their heart you are either woefully uninformed or just naive or both at best or worse, active participants in their own demise. a HUGE % of those deemed 'essential' were and are some of the least compensated workers in America, how is that fair?

lastly the percentage of a UAW manufactuered vehicle's direct labor cost is typically in the 7-8% range in most plants and almost NEVER exceeds 10% . the value added proposition from a UAW workforce is a easy case to make. plus UAW workplaces usually have FAR fewer fatalities or catastrophic injuries than their non union competitors. and the only reason that most of the non union shops dont do worse in these and other metrics is the fact that most manufactuers adopt a great many of the standards negotiated by the UAW in a misguided effort to keep their employees from forming or joining a Union.

 

[krg]

outside contractors was a UAW concession no matter how you try to spin it

im spinning it to mean contractors do a better job and take less supervisory time….and it’s cheaper….sounds as if the company won too…

 

[fossil]

im spinning it to mean contractors do a better job and take less supervisory time….and it’s cheaper….sounds as if the company won too…

At least you agree to spinning. As to your opinion on to work quality I'd disagree as it's a mixed bag. I've actually seen those people at work and the supervision the contractor had to hire to keep them busy which is in fact over and above the existing Ford supervision already there. some are good but many are not and turn over is always a problem.
The one upside is Ford management can see those people at work and sometimes hire the best to Ford roles. A point of friction between the contractor and Ford.

 

[Fcnrwy]

I agree completely with you about the disposable car idea. I have told several people that very thing recently. Most don’t get it of course.
The old thinking of a damaged vehicle getting fixed or replaced by insurance is a quaint, but ignorant, idea.
I doubt the Maverick is the only vehicle insurance companies are totaling for the almost minor damage. I haven’t seen figures yet but I‘m guessing they total almost everything now, especially if there is any unibody damage.
The only bright spot for me is that I am starting with a new vehicle instead of trusting that a high mileage used vehicle is going to keep on keep’in on without issues.

You are correct on the "Disposable" term. But that now relates to just about anything manufactured.
Vehicles are just a Large $$ item..

I am also with you on the "Bright spot, New Vehicle".
I bought my last Ranger, months after FORD stopped making them. If I remember my younger dealership employment, Spare Parts are only made for a ten year supply after a model is discontinued. And I was pushing eleven...

Jerry

 

[Bob The Builder]

My Maverick is currently on a CSX train heading east. As long as the railroad workers stay non supportive I am good to go.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

My Maverick is currently on a CSX train heading east. As long as the railroad workers stay non supportive I am good to go.

i hate to be the bearer of bad news (depending on your point of view) but CSX transports vehicles from the assembly plant to a sorting/final delivery facility only. i hope yours get delivered B4 the current contract expires . usually UAW employees load or stage the vehicles for loading onto the trains or truck car carriers that nearly ALL new vehicles start their journey to the ordering dealership and from their to their soon to be owners.. most new vehicles reach their final destination(dealerships usually) via car carrier trucks driven by members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters whose newly ratified contract stipulates that they will NOT cross another Unions picket line(s) i REALLY love the Teamsters!! they get that we working folk are all in this together... nor will there be any UAW employees to load or drive vehicles to & from CSX depots.

there are MANY inflection points where targeted and strategic strikes could effectively 'shut down' individual companies or the entire industry. The UPS agreement is a paradigm shift in what is achievable for Labor. all of a sudden it may seem to some, but the pendulum has to swing back he other direction eventually and no matter whether you think its good or bad it's definitely swinging back to Labor's advantage (about time!) as it should IMHO, as a near 30yr UAW Ford employee i acknowledge a certain bias but i believe my conclusions are sound.

 

[fossil]

i hate to be the bearer of bad news (depending on your point of view) but CSX transports vehicles from the assembly plant to a sorting/final delivery facility only. i hope yours get delivered B4 the current contract expires . usually UAW employees load or stage the vehicles for loading onto the trains or truck car carriers that nearly ALL new vehicles start their journey to the ordering dealership and from their to their soon to be owners.. most new vehicles reach their final destination(dealerships usually) via car carrier trucks driven by members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters whose newly ratified contract stipulates that they will NOT cross another Unions picket line(s) i REALLY love the Teamsters!! they get that we working folk are all in this together... nor will there be any UAW employees to load or drive vehicles to & from CSX depots.

Maybe it's regional but a my plant UAW involvement ended just outside the plant exit door. Contractors drove the 1/4 mile to the staging lot and loaded/ unloaded all rail cars. My F Series was dropped there and sat for three days awaiting a car hauler for a 2 mile transport, maddening. I could see it there coming to and going from work.

 

[Old Ford Guy]

Maybe it's regional but a my plant UAW involvement ended just outside the plant exit door. Contractors drove the 1/4 mile to the staging lot and loaded/ unloaded all rail cars. My F Series was dropped there and sat for three days awaiting a car hauler for a 2 mile transport, maddening. I could see it there coming to and going from work.

at most plants thats exactly how it works. once it leaves the assembly line and is given the 'okay to ship' designation UAW workers drive the vehicles to a staging area where they are loaded onto trains and or car carriers for transport. some go directly to the dealers while others(mainly the ones being moved by train) go to other staging areas B4 delivery to the dealer that ordered the vehicle and from there to the customer. when i worked at the Ohio Assembly Plant we drove finished vehicles from the plant to a staging lot area from where they were loaded for transport. all of that activity took place on Ford property if i'm not mistaken. the railhead and loading operation all took place with railrod/transport company Labor . if our (UAW) folks didnt move the vehicles from the assembly plant to the 'staging area' there was nothing to ship.

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