Strike Update

[PartsPlant81]

Unfortunately it doesn't look like this is going to end anytime soon. Good luck to all of us prepping for physicals with our inventory's depleted and continuing to procure fast moving parts from third party vendors

GM strikers get pay bump

The United Auto Workers is upping its pay for striking General Motors workers — a sign the strike, already in its fourth week, is set to continue. The 48,000 hourly workers will see their weekly strike pay increase from $250 to $275, with the union also lifting a restriction preventing them from seeking part-time employment while receiving the benefit. So far, GM has lost more than $1 billion in earnings as a result of the walkout, says Bloomberg.

[JGROSS1978]

That sucks!!!!

[bsnyder723]

Unfortunately it doesn't look like this is going to end anytime soon. Good luck to all of us prepping for physicals with our inventory's depleted and continuing to procure fast moving parts from third party vendors

GM strikers get pay bump

The United Auto Workers is upping its pay for striking General Motors workers — a sign the strike, already in its fourth week, is set to continue. The 48,000 hourly workers will see their weekly strike pay increase from $250 to $275, with the union also lifting a restriction preventing them from seeking part-time employment while receiving the benefit. So far, GM has lost more than $1 billion in earnings as a result of the walkout, says Bloomberg.

I just saw that the UAW is also set to start picketing GM dealerships... Like it's our fault the union and GM can't play with others!!!

[parts4life]

I will be watching for any picketers at the store and will certainly be approaching them if that actually happens.
I've already made sure that the water hose on the side of the dealer can reach the street.....just in case they need motivation to leave early...
What lunacy to picket in front of the dealerships that you are destroying with this strike. We gain nothing from any UAW contract changes. Greed....

[jdpetey]

No matter what happens, one way or another, the dealers will get soaked for the tab.

GM Execs will just find another way to scrape any union demands from the dealer body.

[camaroman]

I cannot understand why they do not continue working while they negotiate. That way no one suffers the consequences, I guess that is just my non union mentality.

[bsnyder723]

I cannot understand why they do not continue working while they negotiate. That way no one suffers the consequences, I guess that is just my non union mentality.

The UAW doesn't give a rats ass about the dealers or any non-union labor. That's why 4 of the top executives are under indictment for embezzlement.... Union dues buy a lot of rounds of golf and expensive cigars!!

[Gerry Laughlin]

Back when I started in this business unions were quite strong, especially in the Detroit market where I started my career. Throughout the 70's and 80's there was a steady climb in what dealership employees made. As the 80's turned into the 90's the unions lost a lot of their power and the dealership wages stagnated. The average wage for a counterman or a parts manager has not changed since then, while our household expenses have climbed. We used to have decent benefits in the dealerships, through no fault of the dealers they have skyrocketed in cost to the employee and the dealership. I guess I fail to understand how anyone expects this situation to improve without somebody speaking for the dealership employees. Granted the UAW for the most part has not spoken for the dealership employee, but the fear of the union had a huge impact on the dealership. I am in agreement that the current demands are a bit crazy (the average income of a GM/UAW worker is $90,000, not including benefits) but there is no way that I want unions to "just disappear".

[PartsPlant81]

They are making almost twice as much as most of us on this forum make a year although they have to work almost double the hours that we do with over time yet it is their choice.

It is a lengthy discussion; much too long to type on this forum but here is a tidbit...

This is a petition I received from a union worker a few weeks ago:

"My name is Meme Edwards. I have worked for General Motors in Michigan for more than two decades, but right now I'm on strike along with tens of thousands of colleagues from 70 facilities in 19 states. We demand fair wages, a fair share of profits for workers, a path to permanent employment for temporary workers, affordable health care, and job security.

I met my husband working at this plant. We raised our daughters and bought a home in the time we've been here. We have been able to make a stable, middle-class living through this work. But General Motors isn't keeping up with the times, and workers are getting left behind.

For instance, there's an increased reliance on "permatemps," workers who are not given the benefits of full-time employees even though they work just as hard.

Let's be honest here. General Motors made billions of dollars in profits last year. We build the products that made those profits possible. We're just asking for a fair share based on all that General Motors workers do for the company and the American public.

Whether you are a union member, a supportive friend and family, or a concerned member of the public, we hope you sign this petition to support hard-working American families.

Thanks!

—Meme Edwards and International Union, United Auto Workers"

Key points:

1. Fair wages (Everybody wants it, not many get it.)
2. Fair share of profits for workers (Those of us that get profit sharing are lucky to have any at all and should be grateful.)
3. A path to permanent employment for temporary workers (I blame this on corporate greed since they don't want to pay the benefits; even fast food chains are doing this now too.)
4. Affordable health care (Everybody wants this.)
5. Job security (Everybody wants this.)

So these clowns essentially want what everyone else on planet Earth wants yet are costing the economy millions potentially billions in the process and making dealership personnel lives miserable in the process.
Who do the UAW workers really care about? The question is answered in the petition...

[SHANNA]

IS A HOUSHOLD THAT MAKE $180,000-$200,00 A YEAR REALLY MIDDLE CLASS?
NOT IN MY BOOK SORRY
GET YOUR GREEDY A$$ BACK TO WORK!!!