News

Mixed reaction from local UAW members

By NATHAN BRUTTELL Argus-Press Staff Writer

Saturday, December 6, 2008 12:18 AM EST

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY - Local United Auto Workers representatives are not surprised.

In a press conference following a UAW meeting in Detroit yesterday, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said the union would make modifications to labor agreements in order to help Detroit's automakers.

The UAW, according to Gettelfinger, will suspend the jobs bank, a program that allows UAW workers to continue to receive benefits for two years after their jobs have been eliminated.

Scott Zuckschwerdt of Owosso, UAW member and chairman of Flint Tool and Die, said the announcements were necessary.

“We wound up in a perfect storm,” Zuckschwerdt said. “The changes they announced are going to mean a huge burden is lifted off GM.”

Recently retired UAW member Van Smith, 57, also saw the need for changes.

Smith, of Corunna, who worked as a machinery repairman in Shiawassee County and Flint for nearly 32 years, said the announcements made by Gettelfinger “were no big surprise.”

“(The jobs bank) was never a good program to begin with,” he said. “I always thought (the automakers) were getting big tax cuts or other benefits somewhere else. How else can you pay people who aren't doing anything for your company?”

Smith said while he was happy with his career working for GM, the automaker made several unwise business decisions during his tenure in order to compete with foreign markets.

“The automakers are all going to have to step back and take a big cut in pay if they're going to fix this,” Smith said. “They're no longer the ‘Big Three' and we know that.”

The UAW also will have to make changes and take cuts to continue to help the automakers, Smith said. He added his pension supports his family and he might have to go back to work if it's cut drastically.

“Who knows if that is going to come out of my pension check,” Smith said. “In the years I worked with the UAW, we never made the retirees take cuts, and I don't want it to come to that, but maybe it has to.”

Zuckschwerdt added the automakers need to make every effort to secure $34 billion in loans from the government when it goes before the U.S. Senate today.

“All three of the automakers have put together plans and they need to execute those plans,” Zuckschwerdt said. “They need to drive home the impact that it's going to have on America.”

UAW Region 1C Director Duane Zuckschwerdt, father of Scott Zuckschwerdt, said the announcements were helpful to the auto industry but automakers themselves need to make a strong case.

Scott Zuckschwerdt said not obtaining the loan will mean a deep depression for the country and Shiawassee County.

“We have 10,000 UAW members in Shiawassee,” he said. “We spend our money locally too. What's going to happen if all of those members are out of jobs?”

Smith agreed.

“There are too many people involved (in the auto industry) that if they don't get help, it's going to be a catastrophe,” Smith said. “They can't just let all of those workers hit the street.”

- Contact Nathan Bruttell at 725-5136 extension 231 or nbruttellarguspress@gmail.com. Post comments about this story online at www.argus-press.com.

Comment on this Story

Yo Mama wrote on Dec 9, 2008 10:49 AM:

" To "Simple Math"

Hey numb nuts, I totally agree with you. If you read my posting you would see that. Chapter 11 isnt the answer though. It is possible to get these current contracts under control. The UAW is at the mercy of the big 3, so they will need to take what they can get. "

Simple Math wrote on Dec 6, 2008 11:14 PM:

" Retired Pipefitter, are you oblivious to all that is going on? Those data are taken directly from the Center for Automotive Research. If you disagree with those data that are provided directly by the Big 3, then we should believe nothing from the Big 3. Again, let them die.

Bill, you're 100% correct. The Big 3 need to go into Chapter 11 and the federal bankruptcy judge needs to tell the UAW to shove it where the sun doesn't shine. They've got life appointments and they're the only ones who can stick it to the the Big 3 and UAW.

Yes, Yo Mama, I'm completely serious. You obviously didn't read my post. Let the UAW die. Kill their contract and I'll find 100,000 people by morning who'll line up to work for $25.00 or $20.00 or $15.00 per hour with less benefits. These cherry deals that these UAW member have are what killed the U.S. automotive industry. Congress said it. The UAW admitted it. The Big 3 admitted it. You should admit it, too. "

LakeEfect wrote on Dec 6, 2008 12:55 PM:

" I think the goverment should make the big 3 bring back our jobs from mexico,canada. loose the UAW get wages inline. UAW worked in the old days when nothing was regulated.Too many hands in the pie. The time.. something for nothing is over. "

Yo Mama wrote on Dec 6, 2008 10:40 AM:

" Correction: After re-reading some of the statements I see no one actually called me a "pervert". My bad. I need to read slower andh werk ohn muy speulling. Is dat beter fur yu. "

Yo Mama wrote on Dec 6, 2008 10:34 AM:

" Whats up with the name calling? All of your responses dont say crap. You say Im misinformed and then you run your mouth "blah blah blah blah blah blah, your a socialist". All the crap you put in your statement is stuff I already know and agree with. Dont call me names and then not back up your statement. Once the name calling starts, Im done talking. Somebody in another statement called me a pervert. What? Are you serious? Yep, Im done and dont have time for this. Just make sure you run face first into a grinding wheel for me. "

IM READY wrote on Dec 6, 2008 7:10 AM:

" HEY SIMPLE MATH,

CALCULATE THIS, WHEN GM, FORD AND CHRYSLER GO DOWN THE TUBES PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL PAY FOR MY UNEMPLOYMENT, FOOD STAMPS AND MEDICAL CARE. BECAUSE I'LL NO LONGER BE ABLE TO PAY MY $1100 FEDERAL TAXES.

I'M READY FOR AN EXTENDED "PAID" VACATION. THE UAW WAS ONLY ABLE TO NEGOTIATE 4 WEEKS A YEAR VACATION, PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL GIVE ME A LOT MORE.

ONCE AGAIN, I'M READY. "

SickoftheGreed wrote on Dec 6, 2008 2:00 AM:

" It's too bad that there had to be an economic crisis to spur changes in the automotive industry. When asking for help, the auto management knew exactly what changes needed to be made.....and the union quickly agreed to cut the fat. Does anyone else out there have a job where they get paid not to work? Where work rules let them sit idle because they didn't have to work outside their area and still get paid? Hmmm. Wonder how the industry would look today if they did what they all obviously knew needed to be done before it hit the fan. Hope they all banked big bucks during their wonder years. They're going to need it if the jobs are lost. "

Yo Mama wrote on Dec 5, 2008 7:16 PM:

" Hey " Simple math", let the big 3 fail? Death to the UAW? Are you frickin serious? You obviously dont have a clue on what that will do to our economy. I dont think anyone can possibly fathom what type of absolute obliteration that will do to our economy. The UAW does need to be brought under control. I will give you that. I am a non - union trades supervisor for GM. I know first hand how out of control these contracts are. But we cant allow any of the big three file for any type of bankruptcy or restructuring. No one will ever buy a car from a company in bankruptcy. Gm does produce a great product, they just have too much overhead. So that when sales fall at all, they are unable to weather the storm. I will put one of our Cadilac CTS against any Toyota Avolon, Lexus 300, or Acura TL. Test after test, review after review have proved it is the better car. This goes to show that it is possible for GM to produce a good, truly American made car. They have a bad reputation from 8 - 10 years ago that will take 15 - 20 years to live down. "

Retired Pipefitter wrote on Dec 5, 2008 6:41 PM:

" I have to comment on the outrageous statement put out by "simple math". I think he has been reading too much of the media hype that has been regurgitated in the newspapers and misrepresented to the readers. I would like to know where he got the $73.00 figure that he says the U.A.W. makes per hour. So many articles that I have read in the news are sentationalised to make the readers buy their papers. I would suggest that "simple math" do his homework and get the figures right before he spews any more hype to upset the public. "

Lobbyists Galore wrote on Dec 5, 2008 5:25 PM:

" YoMama couldn't be any more wrong. The U.S. auto industry and...GM...have spent plenty on lobbyists.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/industry-spends-record-70m-on-lobbying/

Anything else, YoMama, that you want to pervert? "

papaach wrote on Dec 5, 2008 4:12 PM:

" You know theres guys like simple math that all worry about the people drawing pensions from GM ane the rest of the bif three. I suppose he has a retirement from someplace if he even bother to work and dedicate his life to one place like we did. It wasnt fun to have to work the factory life for 40 years but we stuck it out for the promish of retirement and health care. Now after were out and too old to really get a good job or better yet if they take out pensions and health care then just give us our jobs back. Dont forget alot of people get retirement checks from places like ups, post office schools etc any complaints about them or is this about something else "

Ellen RN wrote on Dec 5, 2008 2:51 PM:

" I really feel for those who's jobs may be on the line and for their families. It is too bad that there isn't some why to channel labor into a field that NEEDS to be looked into- green living- Let these big corporations start REALLY developing and selling at a reasonable price cars that can run on wind and solar and battery power! Push for more "green" energy for homes to run on! Get rid of our dependence on foreign oil! Pray to God, He is our only true hope, come Lord Jesus, we need you always! "

Bill wrote on Dec 5, 2008 1:06 PM:

" Ford, Chrysler and GM need to go chapter 11 and get rid of the union and keep the employees and pay them a fair wage. Any employee who doesn't want to do the job assigned to them or does a bad job needs to be fired pronto. Quit the wining and typical union crap. "

Yo Mama - misinformed wrote on Dec 5, 2008 12:04 PM:

" Again, Yo Mama is grossly misinformed, and his spelling has worsened. Please improve that, Yo Mama. We depend on you to provide your socialist, ridiculous banter.

Here are the facts: U.S.-owned automakers employ 239,000 people. The 12 international automakers in the U.S. employ 113,000 people.

Since 1992, the Big 3's labor force has fallen 4.5% annually, on average. At the same time, the 12 international automakers' labor force grew 4.3% annually, on average.

It is important to note that for every job created by the international automakers, the Big 3 sheds 6.1 jobs in the U.S., 46% of which are lost in Michigan.

More facts: It takes GM an average of 32.4 hours to produce a vehicle and it takes Toyota 29.9 hours to produce a vehicle.

Conclusions:

1. Foreign automakers in the U.S. employ Americans in labor-friendly states (read: NOT MICHIGAN!!!!!!!!!).

2. Foreign automakers produce more vehicles in less time, less cost, and with higher productivity. These are also vehicles with higher satisfaction ratings.

3. The Big 3 pay $73 per hour to less productive employees who take longer to build inferior products that sell considerably less at dealerships.

Join the real world, people. The suppliers who supply the Big 3 will move to labor-friendly states and supply the foreign automakers.

The Big 3 have failed. In fact, they failed years ago and their CEOs have just been moving figures across spreadsheets to cover it up. The time has come! Let them fail!

Their failure will not have a major impact on America, especially after 533,000 jobs were lost in the U.S. last month. This isn't your Daddy's Ford, Chrysler, or GM! "

Yo mama wrote on Dec 4, 2008 11:56 PM:

" I think its great that the UAW has stepped up to the table and offered these consesions. Unfortunately I have a feeling it isnt going to be even close to what GM has in mind. Its only a scratch of the surface. The whole congressional bale out proceedings just absolutely enrage me. Congress didnt even bat an eyelash when loaning all of these banks money. Citibank got 70 billion overnight. AIG got teir bailout with hardly any strings attatched.In fact many of their top executives got bonuses imediately after the bailout. Whats wrong with this picture? I know what the difference is. The difference is that there arent any lobbyists in GM. The banks have tons of them. I agree with the the congressional demands for restructuring to be made public before they loan GM any money. But why the sceptisism and reluctancy to loan the money at all. This is a huge part of the economical back bone of the economy. Why drag your feet here, but give an open checkbook to others. Companies that show losses quarter after quarter shouldnt give executives bonuses and sallery raises. Infact, CEOs' should be fired. If I dont do my job, I get repromanded. Why is there no accountability or recourse for these CEOs' when their company is failing miserably. Obviously they arent doing their job. Its time we start speaking out against this crap and start putting an end to it. "

old timer wrote on Dec 4, 2008 9:52 PM:

" Regardless of concessions from the Unions, employers, and all of the other honest working people, the real problem with our economic conditon keeps being swept under the rug. If we are to survive as a Nation, we need to put a total end to the graft and corruption by our congress, lobyists, and the Wall Street Tycoons and all the other companies receiving "bail out monies" to cover up their continuing greed and waste at the expense of the common working man. I have not seen any relief for those folks that have fallen victim to permanent loss of jobs due to corporate waste and greed. Thousands are losing their homes and becoming street people. Where is the "real help" at here people? Corruption in Washington is eating this Nation alive and nobody seems to give a darn. Don't blame the Unions folks, put the blame where it belongs, then clean it up and make changes to help the American Family before it is too late. Just an old man sad about the decay of America, it is soooo sad! "

Simple Math wrote on Dec 4, 2008 6:40 PM:

" Let's do the math, people. Take-home wages at Detroit auto-makers average $28.42/ hour. Compare that to Toyota at $26/hour, Honda at $24/ hour, and $21/ hour at Hyundai.

Include the benefits, and the picture changes dramatically. For the non-Detroit auto-makers, wages and benefits equal $44.20 per hour. For the Detroit auto-makers, we're talking $73.21 in wages and benefits per hour, on average.

That's an extra $29 that the Big 3 have to try and recoup in the MSRP.

Also, did you know that for every UAW member working at a U.S. car-maker today, three retirees collect benefits and at GM the ratio is 4.6 to 1? That's absurd!

We're paying the health insurance of guys who retired from the line decades ago! Ridiculous!

Let the Big 3 fail, and Death to the UAW and all of its socialist problems! "