I know I'm writing this at the risk of angering long time reader Alan over at Some Amusing Blog Pun.
From today's Wall Street Journal:
Union workers at a key General Motors Corp. plant in Michigan walked off the job Thursday, in the latest sign the Big Three auto makers are having trouble reaping the benefits of concessions they won in labor contracts last fall.I just don't get it.
About 3,300 workers, represented by the United Auto Workers, went on strike at GM's Lansing-Delta Township plant, where the auto maker has been trying to hammer out an agreement with local union leaders covering an array of isues.
— SNIP —
...the Lansing strike affects supplies of the Buick Enclave and other crossovers that have been hot items for GM during a U.S. sales downturn.
• Michigan is in a major slump with high unemployment yet these folks are going on strike?
• GM finally designs some vehicles that customers want, decides to build them in Michigan, and they are rewarded with a strike?
• The UAW strikes at will, then wonders why other manufacturers fight so hard against unionization and refuse to build plants in Michigan?
• Aren't these the same workers that get 90% pay when they are laid off during times of overcapacity?
• Haven't the UAW leaders learned that these tactics may win short-term gains but ultimately cause a lot more harm than good?
I know it sounds callous, but it's hard to muster up any sympathy for these folks when most of the country would beg (are begging) for these jobs at half the pay. I'm not sure that 100% unemployment in Michigan will convince the UAW that these aren't the good old days. Unfortunately, the entire state suffers by these actions.
As a point of reference, our local news has been going 24/7 on the announcement that HondaJet will locate their East Coast sales facility here at the Albany International Airport. The big news? It will generate some construction jobs and 25 recurring "high paying" jobs.
That is considered a HUGE win around here!
I suppose I have a deep-seated resistance to unions. When I was little, my father lost his job in a strike. He had been a bread delivery man for 23 years at the same company. The bakers went on strike, and rather than give in, the company shut down and everyone lost their jobs, pension, etc. whether they were in the union or not. My dad lost everything he had ever worked for through no fault of his own.
UPDATE:
...the United Auto Workers threatened to walk out at the main plant that builds the hot-selling Chevrolet Malibu.*
UAW Local 31 at the Malibu factory in Fairfax, Kan., near Kansas City, on Thursday gave the company a letter warning that it will strike the plant in five days if local contract issues go unresolved, GM spokesman Dan Flores said Friday.
The strike would hurt GM financially because the Malibu is selling well even as U.S. auto sales slump. The company has only a 37-day supply of the mid-sized sedan, according to Wards AutoInfoBank.
