udontkno

grbeck, Since you effectively got me off the subject, the way I see the election is the union supported the party that IS making people be responsible. Its called Obama Care. Now all of those who decided to ride the governments tit and not get medical insurance will be required to get medical insurance hence our taxes will not be paying for their hospital visit. Now if these moochers decide not to get insurance they will be taxed. Same goes for all of the employers who can afford to cover its employees but decided to let the government pay for its employees medical care. So go watch Fox news, since you so easily are buying what they are selling, dont cry to me you bought it and now you own it.

grbeck, I am not complaining about free riders, my post simply states you get what you give. While the law requires the union to represent those that elect not to be part of the bargaining unit, the law dosnt legislate love. Coworkers do not have to go the extra mile for scabs and the union has no obligation to give scabs special attention. I would go one step further and say that if a scab gets fired, the union reps legal responsibility would be to be in the hearing if requested by the scab. But why would a scab request a union rep? Needless to say RTW will make the union stronger because everyone will know who is in it and that will create a bond between those workers. BTW we posted a list of names on the union board of those who chose not to be in the union.

I worked at a Ford/UAW represented plant in a RTW state. We had over 2000 employees with close to 3000 at times and in all that time we always had less than 10 of those workers who elected not to be in the union. Needless to say the union reps had to represent these workers, but a union rep. in a plant this size would have over 300 people to represent, therefore when the union rep walked the floor, those that were not in the union wouldnt get any conversation. Additionally, many workers lookout for each other, when one is sick that day, coworkers help them out, give them extra bathroom breaks ect... Those who were not in the union didnt get this from their coworkers. While there will be some getting out of the union, most will remain because they know this is their only outlet to an amped up supervisor. The governor is either a liar or stupid or a little of both. RTW will not create jobs on its own. RTW does not prevent union organization of employers or any other law relating to the employee/employer relationship. RTW only pertains to workers who work in a shop that is unionized and whether or not the employee elected to be part of that union.

I hope I am wrong but this RTW legislation if passed will end up costing jobs. Right now the Big Three have the ability to discuss issues with the union and the union has been more than receptive. If the union losses its power or its power perception to the membership, the companies do not have the ability to easily change work rules or policies as this was done by the union. When the union rep. tells us whats going on, we tend to trust what they say because they are in the same position as us. Now if the company trys to push a new agenda through supervison, the blow back could be awful and eventually upper management will invest less not more in the state. No successful auto manufacturer is in business without unions. The Germans, Japaneese, S. Koreans all have unions in their home market and it is the working relationship with these unions that allowed them to become profitable.

Naturally Trim is going to side with the Conservatives if it wasnt for the Conservatives passing bills to outsource our work to other countries he wouldnt be working at Ford. Canada wouldnt be able to sell enough Ford cars to justify Ford building a plant in Canada. Most of the vehicles they build are sent to the good old USA. of the 60 thousand Crown Vics sold in the US 44 thousand of them are bought by our govt. for police. Assuming the other 16 thousand are sold in Canada they could never make a profit off a plant selling that few of cars. Havent looked at the Edge but I am sure the majority are sent to the USA. He would never promote a US govt. that imposed restrictions on imports. The same goes for Mexican built vehicles 90% are sent to the states. As far as health care I am sure he dosnt want our govt negotiating with the drug companies because Canadians would have to pay more for their drugs if Americans paid less than they do now. We pay in some cases twice as much as Canadians for the same drugs. I am not a big fan of this legislation because it dosnt have a single payer system and does little to control the insurance companies profits. Lets face it they profit when they deny health coverage to those who bought an insurance policy. It really does not make sense that we the people of the US have let this happen to our friends, familys and neighbors.

I agree, if any UAW represented employee votes for this car they are asking for Ford to continue to move their work outside the country. This only shows Fords big bosses that not only the American public will buy Mexican built cars but UAW Ford workers support them also. White collar is no different, Ford could do all its R and D as well as modeling and engineering in China at a much lower cost then in the US. After all its a billion dollar investment to build a new platform and vehicle in the US and that is before the first car is made. China could do it at a fraction of the cost and they are turning out 30 engineers a year to our (US)1. Maybe I should just stick my head in the sand and play dumb too it would be a whole lot less stressful.

I agree with those who are concerned. I called Applebees and asked them why not let the Big 3 workers have meals? The concern is that Applebees considers Toyota employees to be more important to their business then the rest of American autoworkers. I for one will never walk into an Applebees again. I used to get my haircut at Great Clips, but since I saw a Great Clips logo on a Toyota NASCAR, I will never go into a GClips again, nor a Home Depot for the same reason. Most people dont care about anyone but themselves, I care about our economy and jobs for our children and grandchildren. After all if I support Home Depot or Applebees or Great Clips I will indirectly be supporting Toyota! Until our politicians both Republican and Democrats get off of the corporations dole, workers in America will be fighting a losing battle with the wealthy financiers whos money allows them to corner the markets and gain political clot. Its called "To Big To Fail"! Socialism for the wealthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suggest we all print up flyers that say; "Please Do Not Drive this car and put my families life at risk"! ad a clipping of the Toyota recall to the flyer. Then when you see one of the cars on the recall parked at the store or where ever, place one of the flyers under the windshield wiper. The average person will think twice about driving the car and they might even get mad enough to trade it in. Its time we go after those who are going after our jobs!

Ford could offer an improved warrenty through the dealer that would improve the profits of Ford and the dealer. Many vehicles will never need any warrenty work but if Ford said the vehicle would have an extended warrenty if the owner of the vehicle had their vehicle serviced only at an authorized Ford dealership. Win-win the owner gets extended warrenty that they will probably never use and Ford and its dealers get the enhanced service revenue. After all my local Ford dealer charges $39.99 for an oil change, needless to say I would never get my oil changed from them. I have bought 10 or more new Ford vehicles and never bought an extended warrenty. I have never had any problems with any of the vehicles but If I did and the vehicle only had 50 or 60 thousand miles, I would not buy another product from a company that didnt back its product.

I agree seniority is seniority, if a skilled trade with 20 years has to go to the line to keep a job with Ford, they should have 20 years seniority with Ford. Additionally, if a line worker with 20 years goes into the trade at Ford they should carry all of their time into the trade. Thus a tradesman hired off of the street that was working 10 years would have less time then a 20 year line worker that goes into the same trade. Fair is fair and seniority is a way to base ones loyalty to a company or how much of their life they have sacrificed at Ford. It really doesnt matter if the time was production or trade, they are both union positions and are time served to the company! Lets see if we can get this changed next contract.

I have questioned Fords methods toward employee relations since I hired in in the 1980's. Fords management has the stick always will but they should do everything in their power to not use the stick. 99% of the hourly workers want to build a great product, (most want to build a better product then the company will allow). These workers know that their future employment rest on quality vehicles being sold in the public. Ford has hired a bunch of low down managers who use a stick because they have it, not because its the right or best thing to do for the company. Everyone ask yourself, "what if Fords management treated ALL employees with respect and part of a 1 Ford team?" I think employees would feel more empowered to share ideas to improve processes, productivity and quality. At the end of the day it would be a win-win for Ford and the workforce. Until that happens Ford will continue to be the best of the worst auto companies.

I understand how everyone feels, but this modification isnt the one that is hurting us. It was the last one. The last modification is the one that took everything away and promised little in return. If we look at why the UAW did that modification, we might understand, not like but understand it. GM was going balls out to break the union they even went bankrupt. Now Ford steps in by request of the UAW and negotiates a contract modification. This was done to take to Washington to show them the haircut the union was willing to take. Shelby and Corker demanded the no-strike as well as other modifications be put on GM and Chrysler. If the UAW and Ford didnt do that deal, its no telling what those bastards would have demanded, parity with the transplants??? Probably. VW is opening a plant in TN. starting pay $14.50 max out 3 yrs $19.00 with benefits. Is this a chance worth taking? Wagner was pissed at Ford but if Ford didnt do it and GM would have got parity, Ford would have been at a big disadvantage. If Ford would have asked us to take the same wage cut, we would have said hell no. Ford wouldnt have an option but to go into bankruptcy to get the same terms. The Ford family would have lost the company. We as a union didnt have a choice with the first modification. But today we do and those trying to make political gains are not telling the true facts. I say put the politics aside and lets do what is right. If we do and Ford can get better terms from the bond holders, we will get it all back in the future. I will be retired by then but I know it will come. My family has been with Ford since the 50's and I have lived through tough times before, not without sacrifice. But we have always come out on the other side in better shape then we entered. You can all hate me but be real to the message.

If this modification does not pass then I blame the International Union. Why? Because they allowed Ford to cancel the tuition payments and the membership is very stupid. If we look at this modification we will see no absoultly no negative to the current workers or retirees. I will break it down how I see it. Ford has a $10 billion loan coming due next year. They have two choices, 1.) Pay it (but this would take almost half of Fords cash on hand leaving them just enough cash to run day to day operations with no extra for future investments) 2.) Renegotiate the terms of the loan. (to get better terms on the loan Ford will have to show the investors that the union is making concessions (real or not real) and will not let Ford go bankrupt.) This modification is all a show, just like Ford saying they are doing better since they didnt take govt. money. If things do not improve in 12 to 18 months, Ford will be lucky to go through what GM has. This is because the economy is doing better and the govt may not loan Ford any money? Now I understand the membership felling that we are being screwed, and I will say we were totally hosed on the last couple agreements. But the "no strike" over wages is bogus. International negotiates wages and benefits. They also have to approve a strike. All Bob King had to do is extend his hand to Marty Mulloy or whoever Ford has negotiating and say "we wont ask for more wages or benefits the next two contracts". Come on guys be smart about this, it is all a PR stunt so Ford can get better terms. If Ford can save 2% on the $10 billion loan, that is $200 million a year. This modification is estimated to save Ford $20 million a year, do the math and get educated. The world runs through banks, not union contracts!!!!! I also think Ford will bring the majority of the work promised even if the mod fails. This is due to the decline of the dollar and it is not over yet. I believe the dollar will fall over the next several years.

Just because your black does not mean you cant discriminate against the black race. When some people catch a lucky break in life and find a good job they begin to think they are better. Ever heard of "Uncle Tom"? The newspaper interviewed a lady standing in line who was layed off at Chrysler and got a job at GM and was layed off from there too. She was an engineer, not a union worker. It strikes me to hear the Republicans bad mouth Obama when this is a result of George Bush one and two, Regan and Clinton's policies. Poor trade agreements and relaxing of oversight on the wealthy/business put us in this position. All of the major banks got billions of our tax money why shouldnt these people be given a break? They are much more important then BOA or Goldman Sach's or any other bank. Why save banks and leave the people suffer? How many banks fought for America's freedom? I supported Obama and am sad that he is not going to address NAFTA or other flawed trade agreements. I am sad that he put Geitner and Summers in positions to effect future policies when these clowns and their policies were a big factor in Americas problems. With all of my disappointment I am still glad Bush is not President because he would continue to make things worse with no possibility of getting better, ever!

I think everyone should voice their opinion about concessions. But I believe it should be done with a bit of class. When people curse and call names it really takes away from any valid point that they might share. If I attack someone it makes me look less then level headed and may even give that person positive attention. Most people attack others when they have no valid argument. Ford is currently building a $3 billion plant in Mexico to build the Fiesta with 4500 new jobs. I would guess the Fusion plant employees 3000 workers and the new diesel engine adds a few hundred. I believe the US hourly workforce is around 32000. 80% of Mexican production comes to the US and Mexico buys less than 3% of Fords total N.American production. So if we look at the numbers between Ford of Mexico and the US, we could figure that of the roughly 8000 Mexican workers, 7500 are hourly which is just under 25% of the number of US hourly workers. If Ford were trying to do the right thing, they would bring the Fusion, 4cyl and new diesel to the US from Mexico. Which would put the Mexican workforce at less then 15% of the US workforce. After all the Mexicans are not buying the products they build because they cant afford them. This being said Ford is not trying to be fair and Ford continues to lie to the US workers and UAW by promising work but moving it out of the country before its put in a plant. If we are going to approve more second tier workers why shouldnt we demand Ford bring the Fusion to the US and allow the whole plant to be second tier after all of the laid off workers are placed? I cant agree with a no strike clause, at many plants managers treat employees like sh-t and are trying to fire them every chance they get. If we have no ability to strike over production standards how will we stop the company from loading jobs to the point they fire workers. After the workers are fired, they will be rewarded with the ability to hire 2nd tier workers to replace them. I understand the UAW is doing the best they can but frankly I dont see any $ gain to Ford through 2015 by giving them these conditions. I doubt Ford would even meet their 20% second tier quota by 2015 without bringing in work from Canada or Mexico, which they have no desire to do. So the only way to get over 20% would be to get rid of current employees. Ford does not have 20% of the workforce eligible to retire by 2015. If Ford agreed to bring work to the US and keep Twin Cities open, I would agree to this contract in a heart beat. But if this site is accurate Ford only wants to add some work in a couple of Sterling Heights, MI plants. This work will create few if any new jobs. Now if the UAW stands pat until contract 2011, will they be in better or worse bargaining shape? If Ford is making a profit, I say the UAW will be in worse shape. If Ford is still bleeding red ink, the UAW would have more power because the company would be to fragile to weather a US strike. As long as the UAW allows Ford to keep the plants in Mexico, us the UAW workers have less leverage when negotiating contracts. Bring us work back from Mexico or forget me supporting any concession.