Comments on: Fiat CEO: Unions must make concessions or else

By: 1c3d0g

1c3d0g — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:29:12 +0000

SHOspeed: right on! D*amned unions…I hope that once all this mess is sorted out, all of the Domestics are on a level playing field with imports.

By: Veda

Veda — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:50:00 +0000

“The best thing we can do to protect jobs is make ourselves competitive with the rest of the world. If we can’t do a better job for less then we do not deserve the business.”

+1 but if you’re lived in US your entire life and worked in a big corp like the Big 3, it’s really hard to accept this notion. But they need to face reality now or later.

By: jayjc08

jayjc08 — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:47:14 +0000

ThunderChicken- In recent times that’s what’s happened. But it was Ford, GM and to some extent Chrysler that actually promised that money to their workers, late pre to early post WWII. They were being a bit more than considerate and kind to those employees that did indeed diligently work for them. Most of these agreements were worked out in the late 50’s I believe. But as far as I know, the union had little to do with the framework that they layed for that generation. This generation is different however, as they’ve demanded it. Unions can be evil, look what they did to the British auto industry.

By: RationThinker

RationThinker — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:25:54 +0000

Workers must abandon unions or it will be their downfall as it has been for so many in the past. See The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism.

By: SeniorChief

SeniorChief — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:19:45 +0000

Unions in the auto industry served a purpose early on, but at some point out lived the purpose by becoming too greedy. But the Big 3 are not without guilt, they would have been happy to continue to pay minimum wages as long as possible. Had the two kept each other’s best interest in mind, things would not have got to where they are. They both got greedy and created such an animosity towards each other that all that mattered was winning at any cost. Well that cost is now coming due.

Once this has run its course and the Big 3 are whatever they become, maybe, just maybe, Labor and Management will figure out that one needs the other. Neither can survive without the other.

I will now step off my soap box…

By: trantz

trantz — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:40:47 +0000

Low pay or no pay, what’s it going to be?

By: Long Dong Auto

Long Dong Auto — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:18:42 +0000

Well said Thunder.. it’s interesting how all transplant operations (Honda, Toyota, Hyundai, etc.) can build cars in the US profitably, with happy employees that continually vote union down, and with higher customer satisfaction and the US manufacturers can’t . Reason, overpaid workers and more folks on pension and healthcare than federal govt. Not to mention stupid and counterprodictive work rules. Unions may have had a place in the 20s and 30s but now are just an impediment to our ability to compete as a country. And don’t anyone give me any crap about protecting American jobs. The best thing we can do to protect jobs is make ourselves competitive with the rest of the world. If we can’t do a better job for less then we do not deserve the business.

By: Thunder Chicken

Thunder Chicken — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:01:05 +0000

Shaver: The Big Three made deals that they could not afford because unions forced those agreements down their throats. “Give us what we want, no matter how outrageous our demands, or we’ll shut you down” is not bargaining in good faith, it’s blackmail. The companies had no choice but to cave in – it was either that or go out of business. Now the tables are turned, and it looks good on the unions.

And what of the unions’ responsibilities for the mess? You admit the big problem is legacy costs, but think the unions should accept no responsibility for their demanding the benefits that created those legacy costs? What, you think GM, Chrysler, and Ford just said “OK, unionized employees, here’s buckets of money to retire on, and we’ll take care of you and your family, cradle to grave”? The union blackmailed those benefits, and the legacy costs associated with them, out of the manufacturers, and now it’s coming back to bite them. If there is potential to save their jobs by giving back some of the benefits they should never have had to begin with, union rabble would be wise to accept the offer.

They won’t, though. The old union cry “Full pay to the last day” will ring loud, and the last day will come.

By: Impulsive

Impulsive — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 17:09:38 +0000

Bottom line … companies are NOT profitable.

Everyone, from the top down, MUST take a hit, unionized or not.

This bankruptcy concept was planned long ago through foresight knowing this situation would come to a head. There is nothing but one result … it’s just a matter of how one wants to come to that end … willingly or otherwise.

By: sctdiverdown

sctdiverdown — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:40:31 +0000

Agreed Shaver …….There are professions that have intelligent, hard working people (like
my wife who is a teacher – and one of the VERY GOOD ones) that need a Union because if
they didn’t – the school board would take anything it could …….it’s sad – but you have to fight
for everything these days, or it WILL be taken away from you given the chance.
Those in the situation know what i am talking about.

As far as the Auto Unions go, they are not what they used to be. But ther’re many that are intelligent, hard working and love what they do ….unfortunately – they are overshadowed by a lot of the negative that has creeped in the “system”.

By: idrinorbarsaku

idrinorbarsaku — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:20:41 +0000

god damn the unions! looks like even fiat is smarter than the other D2!!!!

By: shaver

shaver — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:20:11 +0000

The problem is not the present wages, its all the retirees, GM supports MANY times more people then it employs. The union is doing what its members want and need it to do. That is protect their best interest. You can argue they are pricing themselves out of job, but fact is if all the union jobs pay crap just like the non-union shops, then there is no union. So just giving it all away would be idiotic. Unfortunately the big 3 all made deals they could not keep or maintain. Now everyone blames the union because the mngmnt at big 3 were too weak to make the hard decisions necesary to be successful. For about the last 30 years. Thats BS everyone new legacy costs were going to hit unsustainable levels back in the 80s. Everyone on here who is bashing the union is a fool and does not understand much about skilled labor or corporate collusion. Just because you work with your hands does not mean you should be poor. Viva la middle class!

By: johnnycanuck

johnnycanuck — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:15:47 +0000

Isn’t their some old fable about a scorpion crossing the river on an animals back, the scorpion promises not to sting the animal seeing as they’ll both drown and then does it anyway. That’s the union in a nutshell; they will screw this up. It’s their nature.

By: Borat

Borat — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 16:04:23 +0000

yarddog82abn, that is probably what Marchionne either implied or is waiting for. Why pay premium today if you can get the same deal in 20 days for less? The reality is that union was part of Cerberus deal, so they do have some points in the company. The union will die, the company will die, but when redistribution of sale proceeds will occur, SOMEBODY will pick up what belongs to union. That is what Cayman Islands made of.

By: gugy

gugy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:53:06 +0000

I hope unions die.

In my experience dealing with them makes me believe most of their people are incompetent, less educate, less qualified and less proficient to hold a job. They have huge benefits and no incentive to get better at their craft.
These same folks in the real world would just die due competition.

Sorry, but I have no compassion for them. I know it’s sad to see people suffer and lose their jobs, but lack of motivation and will to succeed it is sucks and I think unions promote that.

By: yarddog82abn

yarddog82abn — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:40:23 +0000

I for one hope there is no deal..!!!

The unions are out, then Fiat can just buy Dodge for a fraction of the cost. “Chrysler” will most likely die, and Jeep finds a new home, word is it that “International Trucks” will step in and pick up Jeep. But that just a rumor out of the Jeep forums… But ether way if that was the case hopefully the Scout can finally return.

By: A4

A4 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:11:12 +0000

Hardly, freeyellow, Fiat is going to be in a buttload more trouble if they have to absorb a bunch of neverending debt.

By: freeyellow2000

freeyellow2000 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:09:12 +0000

Fiat is playing the same game that the unions are playing. We would just have to see who is going to blink first.. The deadline is fast approaching.

regardless it a loss-loss situation for both parties if they can’t get to some agreement.

union — Underemployment
Fiat —- there goes the NA market

By: elmdodge

elmdodge — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:55:27 +0000

unions have to realize that business is not gonna be crap forever and in time they will regain their position in the industry

By: moparsalesman1

moparsalesman1 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:51:27 +0000

These unions definitely suck ass and are destroying any fighting chance Chrysler has at achieving viability,

By: aexcorp

aexcorp — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:49:27 +0000

Well, you have to remember the long and arduous history of Unions in the US (not sure about the history in Canada though). They have been more than instrumental in making the quality of life for workers in manufacturing somewhat acceptable. It used to be that manufacturing jobs were pretty close to slavery in terms of shift hours and pay back in the mid-1800s and so they did a really good thing.

If you want more info on that, very interesting read is “A people’s history of the United States” by Howard Zinn, which is all based on primary sources and is highly enlightening…

That being said, nowadays they’re just stupidly greedy, trying to say that a guy working on an F-150 assembly line should get 40 bucks an hour plus pension and benefits. Clearly that’s not in line with the skills required for the job or the supply for these skills, especially when taking into account the global market, not just the US.

By: JakeK66

JakeK66 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:45:06 +0000

Seems pretty easy. Take concessions or be out of a job. Can you understand that? Do they understand that? If not, maybe they should take a class in being out of work with no new employment in sight. Companies aren’t rushing to get tons of overpaid, undereducated employees.

By: A4

A4 — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:42:33 +0000

I can, SHO, its cause the Unions stand there and get overpaid to screw sh!t together, and they still figure the auto industry ain’t goin anywhere, “deuuuuuuhh everyone needs a car”, they say.

By: SeniorChief

SeniorChief — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:37:17 +0000

Hopefully Ford will buy Jeep once the liquidation starts. Ford built most of the Jeeps that served in WWII, fitting that the take the brand, go back to basics and kill off the all the models with the exception of the Wrangler, Liberty and Grand Cherokee. Only those that can actually take on the Rubicon trail should wear the Jeep name. I can believe the crap that is sporting a Jeep badge right now, what were they thinking and why would someone buy such and f’ugly POS?

By: 05Z88Path

05Z88Path — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:25:17 +0000

Good-luck Sergio…the unions would rather shoot themselves in the foot then budge one inch!

By: Jon Luc

Jon Luc — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:23:52 +0000

It’s the union bosses that don’t wanna loose face, or their jobs as top togs. They gotta prove to people in the union, that they are worth their salary. Besides, it’s difficult to let go of all of the years of threatening, backstabbing, blackmailing, & other things they did to kill the companies.

By: Long Dong Auto

Long Dong Auto — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:51:04 +0000

Your Comment

By: SHOspeed

SHOspeed — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:31:34 +0000

I seriously cannt understand how the Unions dont want to make deals, and would rather let their companies die then take less money. Totally insane.