Decker Posted September 12, 2014 Share Posted September 12, 2014 Some time ago, longer than the old long hair wants to admit too, a topic here moved to a mention of a book that I had read and people posted a few responses and talked of what we all thought the (our) union and other unions needed to do. Sure we all have our input on how the union this and the union that and the topic got a little revved up and some good points were made. The book we talked about, agreed with and took sides with and or against was "Which side are you on" by Thomas Geoghegan. This book was written by someone that has a Harvard Law Degree and that along closed the door to some just for the reason of "how could anyone from Harvard know about labor". Well, as I found out Thomas cut his teeth on working for the coal miners union and worked hard to get something for the Wisconsin Steel union members on our south side. It became clear to me that a Harvard grad could understand not only labor but could relate to labor. Well, long story short (unbelievable the old long hair is trying to keep the post shorter than normal) it has been some time since Thomas has went to print. But, the wait is almost over. Thomas has set in motion his next work and the waiting for his next book will end mid December 2014. "Only one thing can save Us" "Why America needs a new kind of Labor Movement" will be an insight on the present day issues in our and other unions. Thomas speeks of the concerns we all have and offers the suggestions that some will be interested in and yes others will find intimidating or even against the old school manner of the unions role in our work place and society in general. After reading the work in progress I can say that it brings out of the back room a view of reality that needs to be looked at and looked at hard. One point I can`t agree with more is Thomas`s stance of America can not move forward without a labor movement that puts labor in the center of everything, this mind set has proven to be what makes up a strong American society. Now I do admit there will be those that have there offices and expense accounts (per Diem, travel expenses, meals) that at first may be in a defensive mode against what is written and suggested but, I hold out hope for my union to change enough to survive. Thomas goes into length about VW and what accrued during our unions last try at organizing. It becomes really interesting when the true meaning of what "we" the UAW lost down in Tennessee. I had an idea of how labor law works against labor but, I never was aware of just how this high level of resistance to labor our labor laws put in place and how these laws are used against almost everything labor needs. I will say, I agree it is time for a "true", "real' and "honest" change in our union. If you get a chance to read a book in December check out a book that is about "us". Decker 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decker Posted September 13, 2014 Author Share Posted September 13, 2014 One thing that this new book of Thomas`s stresses is the one tool that our and other unions has to utilize and that tool is, "strike". You have to disrupt the flow of business or nothing will change. It seems that a little know event accured this morning, UAW Local 2335 has went on "STRIKE" this morning at 6am. "Unfair labor practices" and "Ending Two Tier wages" are the main issues. This small local of members that work for Lear have done what others only talk about. My support is fully with this local. Good Luck sisters and brothers. Decker 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decker Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 I`m a little caught off guard with the information coming from the different forms of information (news media & members exchanges) on the Lear strike. It seems there is an atmosphere of celebration. Celebrating the strike? members celebrating the strike? I never seen a Regional member on any of the interviews? No mention of IUAW in any news release? Times sure have changed. A much younger long hair never saw any celebrating on the picket line back in 76. The celebrating wasn`t all that important even when we got a tentative agreement and went back in. I guess we were all glad that the negotiations worked out and we got back to work. But not really much in the way of celebrating. Our (my) local will be effected first in this fight and I`ll still support the Lear members every way I can. But celebrate being on strike? Only our ultra activist could find something to celebrate while on strike.... celebrate a good team of negotiators... celebrate a equitable agreement... celebrate the strike? Times have sure changed. Decker 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decker Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 According to sourses close to the strike at Lear, there has been an agreement reached. Its reported that Lear has agreed to eliminate the two tier system of wages. If in fact this is fact then, it is time to CELEBRATE. !!!Outstanding!!! sisters and brother of Lear, on your labor movement that put "labor" back in the labor movement. Congradulations Decker 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
10yrs_No_Seniority Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Yeah, I also read they won their strike. No more 2-tier there. Well done Local 2335! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decker Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Well, as it is a normal progression of information..... with any of the contracts. There is a possibility that the two tier pay scale isn`t really gone. It is now coming out that there is the possibilities the two tier pay scale will take 5 years to slowly exit. But, my respect is still in place to the 2-B Region and the members of the UAW 2335 local that stood up and showed what so many other locals have to do. Great Job 2335!!!!! Decker 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RougeWelder Posted November 1, 2014 Share Posted November 1, 2014 I have said it before and will say it again.....The unions were built on the concept of "United we stand, divided we fall". The IUAW set the stage when they allowed us to be divided with 2nd tier workers. The current IUAW powers took a major shit on everything a union stands for. That alone shows where our representation stands. And they still have the balls to shout "soidarity" and insist they are for the best intersts of the people they represent. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tennesseepowerstroke Posted January 4, 2015 Share Posted January 4, 2015 Well, as it is a normal progression of information..... with any of the contracts. There is a possibility that the two tier pay scale isn`t really gone. It is now coming out that there is the possibilities the two tier pay scale will take 5 years to slowly exit. But, my respect is still in place to the 2-B Region and the members of the UAW 2335 local that stood up and showed what so many other locals have to do. Great Job 2335!!!!! Decker As long as it exits everyone will be better off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Decker Posted January 5, 2015 Author Share Posted January 5, 2015 (edited) As long as it exits everyone will be better off. Well Tennessee, Since all the rumors, hype and the late releasing (smoke cleared) information on the contract at the 2335 things have not got to much better. The contract highlights didn`t say much about the company opening up a plant in Portage In. (same work) and then moving of a group of employee`s from the Hammond plant and paying less? Then the plant hiring off the street for lower than the second tier receives. As for the second tier at Ford, what happen to reaching a cut off percentage? (anyone see or hear of one second tier member crossing over?) Did the highlights ever say anything about the second tier members "never" getting first tier benefits? "Never" getting first tier retirement benefits? "Never" getting first tier dependent benefits? Oh but, it was said that "once" the magical 20% was reached some type of magical formula would be used and the second tier members would start to become "tier one"..... I have lost hope for our union ever restoring the true unionism and ideology that negotiated a hourly rate that reflected both the reward and pay for learning the higher level operational tasks and/or the work that it takes to become a skilled trades person. I can`t imagine how these second tier members are going to send their children to collage, pay a mortgage or buy a car they assemble. I still have a hard time understanding how our union can say they are for all the members equally, when one group is doing the designated operations (without a designated classification, remember this because it may be a hot topic) at a rate that is half what tier one members receive. Now I hear that we even have skilled trades members that are at a lower level than other members. Now that dosen`t even bring up what our sisters and brothers receive as an hourly rate that try to keep our plants clean or what our brothers and sisters receive at the different suppliers through out the system. Lets just say that the "average" rate for second tier and all the suppliers is $17 an hour. Now lets say that the average for first tier members is $29 an hour. Due the math, $12 an hour is what the difference is between the tiers. Is there anyone out there that thinks Ford will agree to a $12 an hour raise for any member, first or second tier? Not to mention the savings Ford has been reeling in since this whole tier system started. The only way the tier system will ever go away is to equal out the scales that make the tier system.... the tier system. Dose anyone really think Ford... would ever give or agree on... tier one receives a three percent raise and give the second tier a $12 an hour plus three percent on the new rate raise? Me neither. Tennessee, I completely agree with you, "as long as it exits everyone will be better off". "I do think it will exit" but, I don`t think it will be favorable to either tier. I do see the first tier and the second tier doing the balancing of the scales in a way that would be proclaimed by the IUAW as solidarity, in that the first tier would be helping our second tier sisters and brothers. If this balancing act ever comes to a vote, Ford will see even more benefits. The Tier System will go away when the scales are balanced. The memberships benefits will be balanced soon after the tiers come into balance. "I`m going to paint the target on my back even larger" by.... saying the only thing that can save us now is a new kind of labor movement. Decker Edited January 5, 2015 by Decker Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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