Comments on: Where Would GM be without the UAW? http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html Car news, reviews, and specs for the auto-industry Sun, 8 Nov 2009 23:43:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: rapcar http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16807 rapcar Mon, 24 Apr 2006 17:17:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16807 Talk about out of date wanker rambling. While UAW behavior has done no one any favors, they were not management - management made the final decisions, and the blame rests at their feet. Do you really think the hostility between the Unions and management in Detroit was one sided? The Japanese and Germans face workforce and labor rules as well, yet they have managed to have much more civil and productive relationships. If the big three had not spent so much time being hostile to the unions (remember Fords skull cracking squad) the UAW culture would likely be a lot more sympathetic to the problems these companies face. As recently as a decade ago GM was making billions, but they wasted all that money on an endless series of poor management decisions (and you know the managers involved never once had their million dollar retirement packages threatened). This is a company that recently launched 3 new minivans that are not only not competitive on ANY level, but whose launch and design budgets swallowed millions that could have been used elsewhere. That they ever received production approval is a clear reminder of the myopia that infects Detroit's automotive management. And how exactly is this the UAW's fault? Its always amusing to read union bashing rambling when we live in a country where corporate welfare and absurd executive compensation, regardless of performance, are taken as part of "normal" market forces. Talk about out of date wanker rambling. While UAW behavior has done no one any favors, they were not management – management made the final decisions, and the blame rests at their feet. Do you really think the hostility between the Unions and management in Detroit was one sided? The Japanese and Germans face workforce and labor rules as well, yet they have managed to have much more civil and productive relationships. If the big three had not spent so much time being hostile to the unions (remember Fords skull cracking squad) the UAW culture would likely be a lot more sympathetic to the problems these companies face. As recently as a decade ago GM was making billions, but they wasted all that money on an endless series of poor management decisions (and you know the managers involved never once had their million dollar retirement packages threatened). This is a company that recently launched 3 new minivans that are not only not competitive on ANY level, but whose launch and design budgets swallowed millions that could have been used elsewhere. That they ever received production approval is a clear reminder of the myopia that infects Detroit’s automotive management. And how exactly is this the UAW’s fault? Its always amusing to read union bashing rambling when we live in a country where corporate welfare and absurd executive compensation, regardless of performance, are taken as part of “normal” market forces.

]]> By: Bryan Detty http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16641 Bryan Detty Sun, 23 Apr 2006 06:46:00 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16641 Wow I wished I make $50 an hour. I do work at GM and make $45K a year without overtime. I hate this they make $50-75 an hour it isn't true. Also 10mm tolerence WTF!!! Not at the Moraine Assmebly plant we keep it 3mm. But of course we aren't UAW we are IUE-CWA but heck we did just agreed on our contract that allows in a 3rd teir wages. But if the Bean Counters would of use a 6 cent part except for the 5 cent part that they OK'ed. Then Maybe GM didn't have to fix that 5 cent part with the 6 cent part in a recall. If GM wasn't loosing market share like they are. If GM sold 1 million more vehicles a year. You wouldn't hear any of this trouble that GM is having. You wouldn't have this Job bank problem, Yes we would still have the Legacy costs. But the Unions as a whole understand the issues at hand and that is why we agreed to the changes 2 to 1. Wow I wished I make $50 an hour. I do work at GM and make $45K a year without overtime. I hate this they make $50-75 an hour it isn’t true. Also 10mm tolerence WTF!!! Not at the Moraine Assmebly plant we keep it 3mm. But of course we aren’t UAW we are IUE-CWA but heck we did just agreed on our contract that allows in a 3rd teir wages.

But if the Bean Counters would of use a 6 cent part except for the 5 cent part that they OK’ed. Then Maybe GM didn’t have to fix that 5 cent part with the 6 cent part in a recall.

If GM wasn’t loosing market share like they are. If GM sold 1 million more vehicles a year. You wouldn’t hear any of this trouble that GM is having. You wouldn’t have this Job bank problem, Yes we would still have the Legacy costs. But the Unions as a whole understand the issues at hand and that is why we agreed to the changes 2 to 1.

]]> By: John http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16592 John Sat, 22 Apr 2006 23:10:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16592 Union bashing at its lowest. Union bashing at its lowest.

]]> By: unionsrbad http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16573 unionsrbad Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:51:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16573 Hey, number30.... GET THE F&#*$ OFF THIS BLOG with your AD BULLSHIT Hey, number30…. GET THE F&#*$ OFF THIS BLOG with your AD BULL****

]]> By: scrapbook5ing http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16572 scrapbook5ing Sat, 22 Apr 2006 21:48:07 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16572 <strong>what the..</strong> heh..i bet they didn't come up with that by themselves ;) scrapbooking at http://www.scra55pbo55oki8ng101.org/ what the..

heh..i bet they didn’t come up with that by themselves ;) scrapbooking at http://www.scra55pbo55oki8ng101.org/

]]> By: Greenspeed http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16464 Greenspeed Sat, 22 Apr 2006 16:18:54 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16464 I agree with all those who say its both the UAW and the management's fault. BUt I lean more against the UAW - about 60/40. I also have to agree with Saud - GM would be better off if they didn't have to deal with the union. I just don't see why some schmo with a GED should have the best health care and get paid $50/hr for sitting in a chair and punching buttons while a robot does all the work. Hell, I have a PhD in chemistry and I don't even get paid that much. I agree with all those who say its both the UAW and the management’s fault. BUt I lean more against the UAW – about 60/40. I also have to agree with Saud – GM would be better off if they didn’t have to deal with the union. I just don’t see why some schmo with a GED should have the best health care and get paid $50/hr for sitting in a chair and punching buttons while a robot does all the work. Hell, I have a PhD in chemistry and I don’t even get paid that much.

]]> By: Saud http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16420 Saud Sat, 22 Apr 2006 13:56:14 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16420 To answer the original question of the whole article, GM would be in a better position. To answer the original question of the whole article, GM would be in a better position.

]]> By: intimidator3 http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16295 intimidator3 Sat, 22 Apr 2006 01:49:17 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16295 This guy kills me! He's probably never worked in an auto plant and probably hasn't worked an honest day's work in his life and has the balls to criticize the UAW? Please, this guy is just a suck hole shill for the corporate robber barons who enrich themselves with untold millions even though at the same time the companies are losing billions of dollars! This guy kills me! He’s probably never worked in an auto plant and probably hasn’t worked an honest day’s work in his life and has the balls to criticize the UAW? Please, this guy is just a suck hole shill for the corporate robber barons who enrich themselves with untold millions even though at the same time the companies are losing billions of dollars!

]]> By: Dave http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16251 Dave Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:58:37 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16251 The UAW certainly carries a large part of the blame, but don't underestimate the stupidity of GM's bloated management and the uninspired product development teams either. The Fiat fiasco is a good example of GM's management throwing billions into a derelict company only to pull out of the deal and have to settle for billions more. And do you remember that guy, Ron Zarella(?) who thought that selling cars was less about the product and more about marketing it the way you would market tooth paste and laundry detergent? Maybe that's why GM numerous brands have become largely irrevalent to younger generations of buyers. Even if their products improve now, it will be very hard to make their brands relevant to kids my age (mid-twenties) whose grew up with parents driving Accords/Camrys/Lexus/Acura etc. and who identify more with import brands. Although GM/UAW is a marriage of two idiots, GM management and product design have improved. Yet it doesn't seem like the UAW has awaken to the reality that the world has changed and that their existence is at stake if one of the big 3 falters. GM has made huge strides in product quality and design, although ultimately they are targeting the Japanese, who continue to make similar strides. Honda/Toyota/Nissan are fast moving companies, and I sadly don't see GM or to a lesser extent Ford and Chrysler moving fast enough to catch up to these moving targets. Future market share for the big 3 will likely continue to dwindle and the companies will have to face the reality that they need to shrink and accept lower market share to stay afloat. I wonder how long it will take for the UAW to realize this as well and how much further their wrangling will harm GM? The UAW certainly carries a large part of the blame, but don’t underestimate the stupidity of GM’s bloated management and the uninspired product development teams either. The Fiat fiasco is a good example of GM’s management throwing billions into a derelict company only to pull out of the deal and have to settle for billions more. And do you remember that guy, Ron Zarella(?) who thought that selling cars was less about the product and more about marketing it the way you would market tooth paste and laundry detergent? Maybe that’s why GM numerous brands have become largely irrevalent to younger generations of buyers. Even if their products improve now, it will be very hard to make their brands relevant to kids my age (mid-twenties) whose grew up with parents driving Accords/Camrys/Lexus/Acura etc. and who identify more with import brands.

Although GM/UAW is a marriage of two idiots, GM management and product design have improved. Yet it doesn’t seem like the UAW has awaken to the reality that the world has changed and that their existence is at stake if one of the big 3 falters. GM has made huge strides in product quality and design, although ultimately they are targeting the Japanese, who continue to make similar strides. Honda/Toyota/Nissan are fast moving companies, and I sadly don’t see GM or to a lesser extent Ford and Chrysler moving fast enough to catch up to these moving targets. Future market share for the big 3 will likely continue to dwindle and the companies will have to face the reality that they need to shrink and accept lower market share to stay afloat. I wonder how long it will take for the UAW to realize this as well and how much further their wrangling will harm GM?

]]> By: Phil McCrackin http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16246 Phil McCrackin Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:47:40 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16246 You think our auto union is bad...you should look into the German auto unions... You think our auto union is bad…you should look into the German auto unions…

]]> By: Thom http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16244 Thom Fri, 21 Apr 2006 21:41:57 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16244 Unions suck. They always have, and they always will. They should make laws to eliminate them , just as they made laws long ago to keep them. The time for Unions has come and gone. If we, as Americans, are to SERIOUSLY attempt to compete on the world market for ANYTHING in this day and age, Unions need to GO AWAY FAST. We need to once again take pride in ourselves and our work, and get off our fat asses (yes I too have one!) and actually do a GREAT job to prove to the world that we can. Unions are only going to continue to make things more expensive here, and other countries and companies will be able to forever undercut us on price and quality. We are doomed if we do nothing and continue on our current course. We are leaving nothing for our children, and we are NOT teaching them the proper way. Unions suck. They always have, and they always will. They should make laws to eliminate them , just as they made laws long ago to keep them. The time for Unions has come and gone. If we, as Americans, are to SERIOUSLY attempt to compete on the world market for ANYTHING in this day and age, Unions need to GO AWAY FAST.

We need to once again take pride in ourselves and our work, and get off our fat asses (yes I too have one!) and actually do a GREAT job to prove to the world that we can. Unions are only going to continue to make things more expensive here, and other countries and companies will be able to forever undercut us on price and quality. We are doomed if we do nothing and continue on our current course. We are leaving nothing for our children, and we are NOT teaching them the proper way.

]]> By: YouthDriver 24 http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16233 YouthDriver 24 Fri, 21 Apr 2006 20:52:47 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16233 Well this does explain why my 2000 Bonneville SSEI has no problems what so ever compared to the same car built in the US. It was built in Ontario Canada in the Oshawa plant, where they have the far less powerful CAW in place as a union. Well this does explain why my 2000 Bonneville SSEI has no problems what so ever compared to the same car built in the US. It was built in Ontario Canada in the Oshawa plant, where they have the far less powerful CAW in place as a union.

]]> By: JMasson http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16215 JMasson Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:43:08 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16215 Unions do have there faults, many of them, however, to sit back and blame the union for all of the big threes woes is narrow minded and a big cop out on the part of management. I am pretty sure that the designers who have done nothing but draw up a bunch of ass cars that nobody wanted to buy and the management who did not have the forcite to plan for the future even though they had well over 50% market share should share the blame. Add to that shareholders who required increased dividends even though the manufatures couldn't generate positive cash flows from their operations. Lastly, management were the people who signed all of these really rich deals for all of their unionized employees. If they knew those contracts were so detremental, why would they sign them? If managements sits on their hands and only blames the unions, the big three woes are far from over. Unions do have there faults, many of them, however, to sit back and blame the union for all of the big threes woes is narrow minded and a big cop out on the part of management. I am pretty sure that the designers who have done nothing but draw up a bunch of ass cars that nobody wanted to buy and the management who did not have the forcite to plan for the future even though they had well over 50% market share should share the blame. Add to that shareholders who required increased dividends even though the manufatures couldn’t generate positive cash flows from their operations.

Lastly, management were the people who signed all of these really rich deals for all of their unionized employees. If they knew those contracts were so detremental, why would they sign them?

If managements sits on their hands and only blames the unions, the big three woes are far from over.

]]> By: Adam http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16204 Adam Fri, 21 Apr 2006 19:02:32 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16204 -J. You are seriously hilarious. Better put on the tinfoil hat so the "commies" can't read your thoughts. The "commies" are comming to get us!!! Seriouly, this is 2006, not 1956. -J. You are seriously hilarious. Better put on the tinfoil hat so the “commies” can’t read your thoughts. The “commies” are comming to get us!!! Seriouly, this is 2006, not 1956.

]]> By: Maverick http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16195 Maverick Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:32:39 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16195 GM and the UAW are both to blame. However, the UAW has become so powerful it's become in-charge and is now harming both parties. It's the same reasoning the airlines are dying - unions. GM and the UAW are both to blame. However, the UAW has become so powerful it’s become in-charge and is now harming both parties. It’s the same reasoning the airlines are dying – unions.

]]> By: -J http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16194 -J Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:31:03 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16194 ...and they'll pretend they were defeated when the Soviet Union fell. …and they’ll pretend they were defeated when the Soviet Union fell.

]]> By: tob http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16193 tob Fri, 21 Apr 2006 18:25:24 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16193 Yeah unions have made it tough for companies. Unions served there purpose at one time and now seem to be a living dinosaur. However, the Aztec is a good figurehead for GM's other problem that started more than a decade or 2 ago. Yeah unions have made it tough for companies. Unions served there purpose at one time and now seem to be a living dinosaur. However, the Aztec is a good figurehead for GM’s other problem that started more than a decade or 2 ago.

]]> By: Adam http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16181 Adam Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:40:04 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16181 This opinionated "story" is not what this site should be about. While I'm sure there is some proof to back up parts of this arguement, the opinionated way in which it's written makes you lose all credibility with anyone in your audience with a mental age of greater than 15. Way to write a balanced piece of journalism. This opinionated “story” is not what this site should be about. While I’m sure there is some proof to back up parts of this arguement, the opinionated way in which it’s written makes you lose all credibility with anyone in your audience with a mental age of greater than 15.

Way to write a balanced piece of journalism.

]]> By: Alexander http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16171 Alexander Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:20:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16171 GM *does* design cars people want. That is why they sell over a million more vehicles than any other car manufacture in the world. They have no problem selling cars (though the number is declining and they still need to work on turning that around). What they do have a problem with is their entire profit margin on the vehicles they sell be approriated by the union for their obscene benefit and pay structure. If GM could rid itself of the union it could not only funnel that money into better designs and quality materials but might actually have a little left over to show a profit for once. GM *does* design cars people want. That is why they sell over a million more vehicles than any other car manufacture in the world. They have no problem selling cars (though the number is declining and they still need to work on turning that around).

What they do have a problem with is their entire profit margin on the vehicles they sell be approriated by the union for their obscene benefit and pay structure.

If GM could rid itself of the union it could not only funnel that money into better designs and quality materials but might actually have a little left over to show a profit for once.

]]> By: Adam http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16170 Adam Fri, 21 Apr 2006 17:10:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16170 Commies eh? What era are you from? The idea of "commies" ruining things or being a threat is laughable. Commies eh? What era are you from? The idea of “commies” ruining things or being a threat is laughable.

]]> By: -J http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16158 -J Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:33:19 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16158 The commies will trash this article and call it B.S. But there's no escaping reality. The commies will trash this article and call it B.S. But there’s no escaping reality.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16156 Anonymous Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:31:11 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16156 All of you speak well; #7, Tom is the most correct. As a full-on Union Hater I have virtually nothing good to say about them. This book is a diatribe however; which may be appropo for a few sentences to make a point (I like to do that..) but I expect more than some right wing Brown Shirt propaganda piece in hardback. It might get to #35,000 on Amazon.. (Betcha more people will have read it here than buy it..) It's those guys on the 14th Floor who shoveled out the goodies to themselves and their workers. They got the government too add almost $1500 to a car made in Japan - because the Japanese were 'unfair'. Detroit deserves to become the next Pittsburg - for almost exactly the same reasons. j i m All of you speak well; #7, Tom is the most correct. As a full-on Union Hater I have virtually nothing good to say about them. This book is a diatribe however; which may be appropo for a few sentences to make a point (I like to do that..) but I expect more than some right wing Brown Shirt propaganda piece in hardback. It might get to #35,000 on Amazon.. (Betcha more people will have read it here than buy it..)

It’s those guys on the 14th Floor who shoveled out the goodies to themselves and their workers. They got the government too add almost $1500 to a car made in Japan – because the Japanese were ‘unfair’. Detroit deserves to become the next Pittsburg – for almost exactly the same reasons.

j i m

]]> By: Paul D. http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16151 Paul D. Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:17:17 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16151 Example: Lincoln interiors are some of the nicest in the industry IMO. Among the domestics, I'd say they are the nicest. Materials are good, build quality is spot on, ergonomics are excellent. Now take a look at Cadillac for comparison. Especially the CTS and SRX. Heck even the STS and DTS are nothing special. OK, swap the workers out of each factory for a couple of weeks. Does anyone TRUELY believe that anyone would notice a change in workforce? Doubt it. My point is I wouldn't put the full blame on the Union for the garbage that comes out of the General. They just put together what comes down the line... Example:

Lincoln interiors are some of the nicest in the industry IMO. Among the domestics, I’d say they are the nicest. Materials are good, build quality is spot on, ergonomics are excellent.

Now take a look at Cadillac for comparison. Especially the CTS and SRX. Heck even the STS and DTS are nothing special.

OK, swap the workers out of each factory for a couple of weeks. Does anyone TRUELY believe that anyone would notice a change in workforce? Doubt it. My point is I wouldn’t put the full blame on the Union for the garbage that comes out of the General. They just put together what comes down the line…

]]> By: Phil McCrackin http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16149 Phil McCrackin Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:10:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16149 Blame the executives that made these lame-ass deals with the union when times were fat. Back when Detroit had mucho market share, EVERYONE thought the gravy-train would last forever. Unionized autoworkers made WAY more than unionize labor performing similar work in other industries. Blame the executives that made these lame-ass deals with the union when times were fat. Back when Detroit had mucho market share, EVERYONE thought the gravy-train would last forever. Unionized autoworkers made WAY more than unionize labor performing similar work in other industries.

]]> By: Terry Rosson http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16148 Terry Rosson Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:09:29 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16148 Pathetic. GM, the world's biggest and richest company for what, 50, 60 years or more, was coerced by the unions. You've got to be kidding me. Secondly, in terms of the whole health care issue that GM is always crying about, management created this. They've actively worked against universal health care for decades. Meaning they wouldn't be paying the huge costs for employer-sponsored hc if they had just gotten out of the way. Or better, supported a more sane system. You think Toyota doesn't INDIRECTLY pay for health care in Japan? Get real. It's just that it's delivered a whole lot more efficiently. Pathetic. GM, the world’s biggest and richest company for what, 50, 60 years or more, was coerced by the unions. You’ve got to be kidding me.

Secondly, in terms of the whole health care issue that GM is always crying about, management created this. They’ve actively worked against universal health care for decades.

Meaning they wouldn’t be paying the huge costs for employer-sponsored hc if they had just gotten out of the way. Or better, supported a more sane system.

You think Toyota doesn’t INDIRECTLY pay for health care in Japan? Get real. It’s just that it’s delivered a whole lot more efficiently.

]]> By: Aaron http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16144 Aaron Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:03:21 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16144 well if gm could concentrate more of it funding on the development of the cars we would have much higher quility cars, so yes it is the unions fault. Its every union member who has a broke mentality thinking that they only need to do the minimum to keep their job. That why the quility isn't there, because the people building them are not accountable to build quility, if they were they would all be fired. well if gm could concentrate more of it funding on the development of the cars we would have much higher quility cars, so yes it is the unions fault. Its every union member who has a broke mentality thinking that they only need to do the minimum to keep their job. That why the quility isn’t there, because the people building them are not accountable to build quility, if they were they would all be fired.

]]> By: E M http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16142 E M Fri, 21 Apr 2006 16:00:52 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16142 Ksmith has a point...GM had to actually design cars around the Union work rules in order to most efficiently produce them, which in turn led to very poor designs and the advent of poor product differentiation between the brands. Also, everyone says "why didn't the bean counters build better quality cars?" uhhh...last I checked UAW pigs were screwing them together...and even poor designs can be built well if the builder puts forth the effort. But, what can you ask for $50 per hr? Ksmith has a point…GM had to actually design cars around the Union work rules in order to most efficiently produce them, which in turn led to very poor designs and the advent of poor product differentiation between the brands.

Also, everyone says “why didn’t the bean counters build better quality cars?” uhhh…last I checked UAW pigs were screwing them together…and even poor designs can be built well if the builder puts forth the effort. But, what can you ask for $50 per hr?

]]> By: E M http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16138 E M Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:56:23 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16138 AMEN, Brother! AMEN, Brother!

]]> By: Adam http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16134 Adam Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:53:05 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16134 Yes, but if GM built cars with both quality and passion, car that were actually desireable, then they wouldn't have to offer HUGE discounts to "coerce" the public into buying their inferior products. Yes, but if GM built cars with both quality and passion, car that were actually desireable, then they wouldn’t have to offer HUGE discounts to “coerce” the public into buying their inferior products.

]]> By: ksmith http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16130 ksmith Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:49:15 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16130 One can argue that the reason the bean counters have designed their cars in the past is out of necessity. In a way, their hand was forced because they had to divert money away from things like interiors in to the pockets of the union members. The union isn’t solely responsible for GM’s current position, but no one can reasonably argue that they done GM any good recently. One can argue that the reason the bean counters have designed their cars in the past is out of necessity. In a way, their hand was forced because they had to divert money away from things like interiors in to the pockets of the union members.

The union isn’t solely responsible for GM’s current position, but no one can reasonably argue that they done GM any good recently.

]]> By: Adam http://www.leftlanenews.com/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw.html/comment-page-1#comment-16126 Adam Fri, 21 Apr 2006 15:36:31 +0000 http://www.leftlanenews.com/2006/04/21/where-would-gm-be-without-the-uaw/#comment-16126 Blame the unions. Of course it is their fault. Not the fact that bean counters and boardrooms have designed inferior cars. Blame the unions. Of course it is their fault. Not the fact that bean counters and boardrooms have designed inferior cars.

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