Auto Industry

[minnie56]

Am I supposed to feel badly over this? Because I don't...

They had it much too good for much too long.

http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/29/autos/uaw_changes/index.htm?postversion=2009052905

 

[bicker]

It is not uncommon for folks who are about to take a personal hit to try to evoke sympathy from others by asserting that their situation is especially difficult. I think the problem that the autoworkers are hitting now is that most of us already know people who have lost jobs due to the economy, and struggled and are struggling through it, without the benefit of broad national sympathy.

 

[JR6ooo4]

It is not uncommon for folks who are about to take a personal hit to try to evoke sympathy from others by asserting that their situation is especially difficult. I think the problem that the autoworkers are hitting now is that most of us already know people who have lost jobs due to the economy, and struggled and are struggling through it, without the benefit of broad national sympathy.

DING DING!

Where is the bailout for all the home builders, commercial construction etc...?
I know many firms that have bailed completely. People with 20, 30 and 40 years in my line of work are now unable to survive.

Mikeeee

 

[minnie56]

I agree..and here in Canada anyways we are royally ticked at the prospect that our tax dollars are going to beef up the Pension fund. I know plenty of folks who have lost jobs and have NO Pension fund at all!!!!!!

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I certainly don't feel sorry for them. Everyone has know this was coming for many years. We had to "loan" money to the auto industry in 1993? to keep them afloat then. They have not made any changes for the better since then. They have consistently been the highest paid factories to work at with excellent benefits that the majority of the rest of this country have never and will never see. They balked at making vehicles more fuel efficient. Then proceeded to make vehicles that guzzle even more gas. Then now when gas prices went so high that people stopped buy the guzzlers and started buying more foreign vehicles with better gas mileage, the industry looks up and scratches their heads and hold out their hands saying "we don't understand what went wrong". And the employees scratch their heads while looking for handouts saying while losing their overpaid jobs, great benefits and pensions and say "we don't understand".

These employees are now going to understand that most Americans haven't been nearly as well paid, with out the great benefits and without pensions and still have had to manage.

The auto industry and it's employees knew this time was coming, yet none of them did what really needed to be done to save their's and everyone else's butts.

No one knows how this mess is going to be cleaned up now. Where are the people going to get jobs now? They're going to flood all the other markets and cause wages to go even lower for other industries. There is no pretty end in sight for any of us.

 

[ols386]

When you work for a company for many many years, and then almost get to the point where you can collect a pension, and then all of a sudden the company closes, and the pension is gone, or greatly reduced, it IS a difficult situation. And it's not that easy to go out and find another job if you're in your 50s or 60s.

The other thing is, many people who hired in at some of the automotive companies 30 years ago, thought that they WOULD be working there for their entire lives, and WOULD be receiving health care benefits and a pension, and then all of a sudden it's gone. Course, 30 years ago, who would have thought that the automotive companies might be going under.

I retired about 4 years ago from an automitive company (not GM, but an automotive components supplier company), and recently lost my health care benefits, and may soon have my pension reduced by at least 40%. I don't expect any sympathy from ANYONE, but it's not a good place to be in.

I think saying that they had it too good for too long, is an extremely insensitive thing to say.

 

[happygirl]

I just saw on the news that GM stock is under a dollarscared1: I personally feel like bankruptcy would be the best thing in the world for them. Let them regroup

 

[HM]

What this article describes sounds much more in line with how other businesses cover their workers benefits and wages.

This brings back memories--
I remember hearing about a summer job one of my cousins had in MI (working on a cookie assembly line) one year. Sounded dull dull dull, but the pay was outrageously good. She made a lot of money that summer....more than I could have made in three summers doing my dept store job in NC.

 

[ols386]

I certainly don't feel sorry for them. Everyone has know this was coming for many years. We had to "loan" money to the auto industry in 1993? to keep them afloat then. They have not made any changes for the better since then. They have consistently been the highest paid factories to work at with excellent benefits that the majority of the rest of this country have never and will never see. They balked at making vehicles more fuel efficient. And the Then proceeded to make vehicles that guzzle even more gas. Then now when gas prices went so high that people stopped buy the guzzlers and started buying more foreign vehicles with better gas mileage, the industry looks up and scratches their heads and hold out their hands saying "we don't understand what went wrong".employees scratch their heads while looking for handouts saying while losing their overpaid jobs, great benefits and pensions and say "we don't understand".
These employees are now going to understand that most Americans haven't been nearly as well paid, with out the great benefits and without pensions and still have had to manage.

The auto industry and it's employees knew this time was coming, yet none of them did what really needed to be done to save their's and everyone else's butts.

No one knows how this mess is going to be cleaned up now. Where are the people going to get jobs now? They're going to flood all the other markets and cause wages to go even lower for other industries. There is no pretty end in sight for any of us.

The automotive companies manufactured the "gas guzzlers", the SUV vehicles, because that's what the public wanted. That's why we still see so many SUVs on the road.

And I certainly don't expect a hand-out from anyone. You make it sound like those employees who have lost their jobs, medical benefits, pensions, etc., DESERVE it.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

The automotive companies manufactured the "gas guzzlers", the SUV vehicles, because that's what the public wanted. That's why we still see so many SUVs on the road.

And I certainly don't expect a hand-out from anyone. You make it sound like those employees who have lost their jobs, medical benefits, pensions, etc., DESERVE it.

Actually, I see a lot of SUV's sitting in lots waiting to be sold. A lot of them used ones that people decided was too much for them and traded in for something with better gas mileage. Many others that still have them can't afford to trade their SUV for the pittance many of them are worth now to get another car.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our local dealers who also sells used vehicles had a "blow out sale" on their used vehicles. Many sold for only $5. Most of those cheaper vehicles were SUVs that people had traded in for a better car.

While I don't believe that the employees deserve to have problems, they didn't really help themselves or their companies for the long haul. Many of the employees blindly expected the companies to provide well for them for the rest of their lives. Not just to provide, but to provide well.

 

[wall*e2008]

IMHO the cuts did not go far enough.

 

[ols386]

Actually, I see a lot of SUV's sitting in lots waiting to be sold. A lot of them used ones that people decided was too much for them and traded in for something with better gas mileage. Many others that still have them can't afford to trade their SUV for the pittance many of them are worth now to get another car.

A couple of weeks ago, one of our local dealers who also sells used vehicles had a "blow out sale" on their used vehicles. Many sold for only $5. Most of those cheaper vehicles were SUVs that people had traded in for a better car.

While I don't believe that the employees deserve to have problems, they didn't really help themselves or their companies for the long haul. Many of the employees blindly expected the companies to provide well for them for the rest of their lives. Not just to provide, but to provide well.

$5???? WOW, I might have bought one just to have it sitting in my driveway. Just kiddin'.

As far as the employees are concerned, when you're a lonely peon, I'm not sure what you can do to help the company for the long haul. It's the top management who leads the company.....and in some ways the unions didn't help either, by demanding the high wages.

 

[jodifla]

The automotive companies manufactured the "gas guzzlers", the SUV vehicles, because that's what the public wanted. That's why we still see so many SUVs on the road.

And I certainly don't expect a hand-out from anyone. You make it sound like those employees who have lost their jobs, medical benefits, pensions, etc., DESERVE it.

Really. I don't understand this "bash the workers" mind-set at all.

 

[minnie56]

I think the workers got too greedy. If Japanese companies can do it with lower salaries..then so should the North American's. They are thriving..I think they are reaping what they have sown here.

 

[wall*e2008]

I think the workers got too greedy. If Japanese companies can do it with lower salaries..then so should the North American's. They are thriving..I think they are reaping what they have sown here.

 

[jodifla]

I think the workers got too greedy. If Japanese companies can do it with lower salaries..then so should the North American's. They are thriving..I think they are reaping what they have sown here.

No car company is currently "thriving" -- including the Japanese car companies.

 

[ols386]

I think the workers got too greedy. If Japanese companies can do it with lower salaries..then so should the North American's. They are thriving..I think they are reaping what they have sown here.

So if you had been offered a job at a U.S. automotive company, many years ago, with the good wages and benefits, and you were someone who could not afford to attend college in hopes of obtaining a well-paying job, you would have turned it down?

Your sensitivity is overwhelming.

 

[wall*e2008]

So if you had been offered a job at a U.S. automotive company, many years ago, with the good wages and benefits, and you were someone who could not afford to attend college in hopes of obtaining a well-paying job, you would have turned it down?

Your sensitivity is overwhelming.

How much are community college or state colleges in MI that on could not afford to attend? My parents did not pay for my college degree but I still went to college. I worked as a teenager and saved those checks (less gas and an occasional treat), worked 30 hours and attended community college full time, took out loans and then transferred as a full junior to complete my degree.

IMHO the money offered was so good that many chose it over college.

 

[minnie56]

Sorry, I lost my 'sensitivity' last year when my daughter graduated University after 5 LONG years with an Engineering/Chemistry degree and is STILL unemployed. She has to go back to do her Masters to give herself yet another edge.More money from Mom and Dad. Nobody's tax dollars are helping her out and nobody cares either!

Sorry, no sympathy here.

 

[ols386]

How much are community college or state colleges in MI that on could not afford to attend? My parents did not pay for my college degree but I still went to college. I worked as a teenager and saved those checks (less gas and an occasional treat), worked 30 hours and attended community college full time, took out loans and then transferred as a full junior to complete my degree.

IMHO the money offered was so good that many chose it over college.

That's probably true in some cases, but we're talking 30 years ago, many people could not afford college. And I'm not talking about myself, I'm just talking about people in general. I didn't live in Michigan many years ago, so I'm not sure what the cost was for state or community college in Michigan.

So are you saying that for anyone who chose working for a U.S. automaker, rather than going to college, that they are getting what they deserve by losing jobs and medical coverage???