I'd like to throw my side of things into the mix. As a retired UAW-Ford worker, I can see both sides of the discussion.
For many years, the unions asked for the moon, and for the most part got it. They were like pigs at a trough. BUT, who was to blame? The eater, or the feeder. I think it was a wash. In my 30 years as a UAW member, I never once had a real say in what would be in the next contract. I only knew one person who actually was involved with the negotiations.
Do I think Unions are needed? For sure! After living for a year or so, in a state where unions are non existent, I can't believe people can live on minim wage. Perfect example here. My wife worked for a grocery store chain for 22 years in Michigan. She worked hard and moved up the ladder to Head Cashier, running the service counter. As a union member, she made about 16 bucks an hour, with a few benefits. That same job in Arizona pays about 7-8 bucks an hour, with no benefits. Believe me, food in Arizona cost the same as it does in Michigan.
Do the unions need to be realistic as far as what they ask for in negotiations? ABSOLUTELY!! And I believe that the UAW is finally starting to wake up. Over the last few years, they have worked with the company's to get rid of old farts like me, and bring in younger people making half of what I did. The UAW realizes that whats good for the company IS good for the union.
That doesn't mean the union should just lay down and say "please pee on me". How many people on the forum have spent time on an automobile assembly line, in 90 degree weather, with 80 percent humidity, doing some of the most physically challenging, mind numbing work you could imagine? In order to keep your job in station, you have to be actually putting your part on for 56 seconds of every minute. That leaves 4 seconds to pick up your next part and go to the next car. For 10 hrs a day. Need to take a leak? Hold it to break time. I was fortunate in that I spent my last 4 years with Ford building the GREATEST car in the world. Our beloved GT. It was a totally different work environment.
Did the Union and Company do right by Me? I feel they did. I made a good living, raised 2 fine sons, retired and still have a heart beat, and I have a good pension, although that GT in your garage is worth about 5 times my yearly pension. I have a very big stake in what happens with the American auto industry, especially Ford. I just bought more Ford stock at about 2 bucks a share. I remember back in 1980, when Chrysler was going for 2 bucks a share. I couldn't buy food, let alone stocks, but if I had, a few years later I'd have made a pile of money on it.
I've often wondered why no one seems to bash the European auto unions. The Germans work a lot fewer hours a week, have more vacation time , and make a lot more money than their American counterpart. No one says they are over payed. Are the cars they build that much better than ours? Maybe once, but not that much anymore. M-B has some of the highest warranttee costs in the business. I worked as a mechanic on Volkswagon Porshe and Audi's for a few years. I could tell you stories about the so called "German" quality.
Ok, Off my soap box.
Chip, are we having a to-do at B-J this year? :thumbsup:banana
