GM's UAW Workers to Go on Strike

**Wesley Mouch** · September-20-19, 12:41 AM

Originally Posted by 401don

I've seen a few interviews on tv with workers since yesterday and their lack of knowledge about what specifically the strike issues are is pretty apparent. Shouldn't the union leadership clearly communicate the major talking points to it's membership, both because they should know, and to communicate a clear message to both GM and the public?

Further indication that this is just diversion. Last week the story was the UAW's illegal abuse of their members -- now the story is bad GM is cheap and hurting itself $100m per day. Union officials are doing happy dance that attention is off them and onto discussion of whether GM should be atoning to their members for abusing new hires.

Can anyone confirm that each Union member has received just over $80,000 in profit sharing over the last decade? For a 2,000 work year, that'd be $40 per hour benefit -- so over 10 years it'd be a $4/hr. benefit. If true seems to undercut the abuse of employees story for me.

**Pat001** · September-20-19, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

Union officials are doing happy dance that attention is off them...

The Dept of Justice won't be distracted.

**Richard** · September-21-19, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Danny

GM: VP Barra... " F_____ Socialists!!!"

UAW: "You have the plant, but We have the power."

That did not work out to well in Atlantic City when they said “We have the power to shut the plant down” and 11,000 lost thier jobs.

**313WX** · September-22-19, 11:28 AM

GM offer to save Lordstown had a catch: Lower pay

https://www.autonews.com/manufacturi...atch-lower-pay

**Richard** · September-22-19, 12:30 PM

^ I do not get it,the UAW is upset because GM is buying batteries outside of the country because it is cheaper.

So the UAW says build them here to support our jobs but how many UAW workers buy thier products that are made cheaply over seas that do not support any other jobs in the country.

The UAW has always supported the left,the same faction that is forcing the push to EVs,the same faction that is the core of them losing thier jobs and closing plants.

**archfan** · September-23-19, 02:20 AM

Originally Posted by Richard

^ I do not get it,the UAW is upset because GM is buying batteries outside of the country because it is cheaper.

So the UAW says build them here to support our jobs but how many UAW workers buy thier products that are made cheaply over seas that do not support any other jobs in the country.
...

They're upset because they were making up to $30/hr before. Now the offer is at max $17/hr. Who wouldn't be upset at having their salary cut in half?

**Cincinnati_Kid** · September-23-19, 09:14 AM

Originally Posted by archfan

They're upset because they were making up to $30/hr before. Now the offer is at max $17/hr. Who wouldn't be upset at having their salary cut in half?

This in a nutshell.

**Richard** · September-23-19, 10:19 AM

Originally Posted by archfan

They're upset because they were making up to $30/hr before. Now the offer is at max $17/hr. Who wouldn't be upset at having their salary cut in half?

I am not familiar with unions,I just view it no different then the rest of the general public that is expected to give support.

Are you saying those that were making $30 per hour have had thier pay halfed?

The way I am reading it is the last negotiation that everybody agreed on was GM ability to decrease the starting pay to the $17 per hour + benefits for new hires.

The way I am reading the current negotiations is about changing that past agreement from the new hire rate to an increased one.

I do not think GM was to happy about other manufactures setting up in the south that had the ability to pay the $17 as a start up wage while they were expected to pay the same start up wage at $30.

Is the starting wage a forever pay rate or is it a starting wage that increases with time like most every other job?

**Cincinnati_Kid** · September-24-19, 07:48 AM

^^ The $17 starting wage, increases with seniority and experience, as it should.

**Dan Wesson** · September-24-19, 01:32 PM

Ho hum..
Wake me up when it's over.

**Wheels** · September-24-19, 02:13 PM

They should give the Union members a shovel because they are digging their own grave!

**p69rrh51** · September-24-19, 09:49 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

The strike is going to cost GM at least $100 million per day. If this goes on beyond a week, they'll be $1 Billion in the hole abd counting.

I'd love to see Machete Mary explain that one to shareholders.

My insiders are telling me GM is hardly loosing a dime during the strike. They are happy to sit back and make money by not having to pay the workers as they lower their inventory. The same insiders tell me they would be losing money if the UAW had not gone on strike.

**Richard** · September-25-19, 10:21 AM

^ not sure where the 100 million a day came from,every thing else out there pegs it at a million a day.

But you are right it does give GM time to lower inventory while saving costs,they were prepared in advance.

I have seen reports of thousands being furloughed in Canada and the US and am sure thousands of others through the supply line are in the same boat.

The scary numbers are the ones that tell what the daily loss to the state of Michigan is in revenue,which effects every citizen,union or not.

The real test is in watching the local economy numbers and how they are effected in order to judge how diversified the economy is becoming.

**401don** · September-25-19, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by p69rrh51

My insiders are telling me GM is hardly loosing a dime during the strike. They are happy to sit back and make money by not having to pay the workers as they lower their inventory. The same insiders tell me they would be losing money if the UAW had not gone on strike.

The real cost from an auto strike is the long term cost when a customer can't get the Equinox or other popular model they want with certain features, color, etc. and then chooses to buy a competing brand. Although brand loyalty is not what it was in the past, you may have lost that customer for now and in the future.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · September-26-19, 01:15 AM

Just heard they are very close, on a settlement.

**Pat001** · September-26-19, 08:50 AM

Even if the UAW gets everything they want it won't make up for ten days of lost wages, and the longer the strike lasts, the more lopsided the equation gets.

**313WX** · September-26-19, 09:56 AM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

Just heard they are very close, on a settlement.

What's your source for this?

**Cincinnati_Kid** · September-26-19, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by 313WX

What's your source for this?

Saw it on Fox 2 news last night.

**ariz02** · September-26-19, 03:01 PM

Strike Pay for Union members, paid $250 week and members must participate in the strike.

**JBMcB** · October-10-19, 02:20 PM

What is happening with the strike?

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/columnists/daniel-howes/2019/10/10/uaw-gm-talks-end-strike-sow-confusion/3922435002/

A few of my wife's family, who are GM UAW members, are getting upset at the strike at this point. Most said that GM's original offer looked pretty good. As of now they have no clue what's going on.

**Cincinnati_Kid** · October-11-19, 02:14 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

What is happening with the strike?

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/columnists/daniel-howes/2019/10/10/uaw-gm-talks-end-strike-sow-confusion/3922435002/

A few of my wife's family, who are GM UAW members, are getting upset at the strike at this point. Most said that GM's original offer looked pretty good. As of now they have no clue what's going on.

If Barra gave up a 1/4 of her salary, that would probably satisfy most of the membership.

**LongGone06** · October-11-19, 02:51 PM

Originally Posted by Cincinnati_Kid

If Barra gave up a 1/4 of her salary, that would probably satisfy most of the membership.

As a symbolic gesture? 1/4 of $22MM is $5.5MM, which is $114.58 for each of 48,000 UAW members. Doesn't really amount to much per person.

**Wesley Mouch** · October-11-19, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by JBMcB

...
A few of my wife's family, who are GM UAW members, are getting upset at the strike at this point. Most said that GM's original offer looked pretty good. As of now they have no clue what's going on.

Strikes are almost never about the wages and benefits for one company/factory. A good offer that the members would accept may be turned down by the Union if it has strategic benefit for the UAW [[for example). Even union members losing their jobs sometimes is acceptable collateral damage, if the bigger goals of the union are achieved.

[[Same goes for management, but just with different internal politics.)