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United Automobile Workers of America (UAW)

16738 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 10:07 AM

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#21 of 16738
UAW and Toyota.. [rockylee] by gagrice
Apr 24, 2007 (4:55 am)
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Replying to: rockylee (Apr 23, 2007 6:34 pm)

I have been involved in several attempts to organize non union companies in Alaska. The companies spare no expense to try and convince the employees they are better off without a union. It is very difficult to get a large number of employees to vote in a union. Where Toyota has built their plants is a factor. When you are in a Right to work state you limit the effectiveness of a Union. From where I sit I see the standard of living for the working man declining in this country. When this war is over the level of spending on military will be cut drastically by Congress and the economy will go into recession. Whoever is President at the time will be blamed. This housing boom has peaked and is on a down hill slide. In the 1990s it was the Dot.com bubble that burst and left people without good jobs. The UAW will have an opportunity when that happens as Toyota and the others will have to lay off people and will do it as they see fit. This will drive the rank and file to organize for protection. If the UAW wins any elections it will be an uphill battle getting a decent contract. It is tough to negotiate when the economy is in the toilet. Save your money the next 10 years is going to be tough.
#22 of 16738
UAW member perks cut by rockylee
Apr 24, 2007 (5:01 am)
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Tough times force Big Three, union to scale back tuition, other programs
 
http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070424/AUTO01/704240380&- theme=Autos-UAW
 
Rocky
 
P.S. Gagrice, I couldn't agree with you more and yes I'll be saving as I feel the sky will fall.
#23 of 16738
Re: UAW member perks cut [rockylee] by lokki
Apr 24, 2007 (5:32 am)
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Replying to: rockylee (Apr 24, 2007 5:01 am)

gagrice - I think that you have a fair assessment of the future there, and I agree with almost all your points on the economy. You're also correct that manufacturers dread unionization.
 
However, the Japanese have one lever against the UAW that the big 3 didn't have when they were facing unionization -
 
Toyota can take it's ball and go home. They're already rumbling about moving some manufacturing back to Japan, but I think that the truth there is that Japan is also too expensive for them nowadays. I see China on the horizon for Toyota (as a threat if nothing else) if unionization pressure gets too strong here. America has passed the point where they will stop buying cars because Toyota moves production to avoid unionization. The people who care about that aren't buying Toyota's now, so there wouldn't be much impact IMHO.
#24 of 16738
Re: UAW member perks cut [lokki] by gagrice
Apr 24, 2007 (7:33 am)
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Replying to: lokki (Apr 24, 2007 5:32 am)

I agree with you that most of the growth in auto making will be in China. A wide open territory with less controls than either Japan or the USA. India is another emerging industrial power. I think once people give in to the fact that they want a foreign product in this case automobiles. They are not that concerned with where they are built. If anything they prefer them to be built in the country of origin. VW, BMW and MB are classic examples. Most want the German built car vs US or Mexico. I see debate on the Camry board on which is preferable a Japan or KY built Camry.
 
100% made in the USA is probably non existent. Parts are out sourced to subs that can go where ever and have the part built. I think it will contribute more and more to reliability issues. It only takes a small electronic sensor to shut you down on the highway. If it comes from a poor source the whole model will have failures. We may long for the day of UNION MADE.
#25 of 16738
Re: UAW and Toyota.. [gagrice] by dtownfb
Apr 24, 2007 (7:46 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 24, 2007 4:55 am)

I agree with some of your assessment, not sure of the doom and gloom of the future. One thing that amazes me is how resilient we Americans are. Yes I think the standard of living of the working man is declining but you also have to adapt to the changing times which means 40 and 50 year olds may need to go back to school. Not sure I agree on the real estate bubble. Houses in my development (60 year old development) are selling within one week at full asking price. New houses are a different story but do we really need so many new developments when perfectly good existing house are all over the place.
 
Yes the dot.com and technology stocks burst in 2000 but 7 years later after 9/11, Iraq War, Katrina, Tsunami, a divisive election in 2000, high foreclosure and bankruptcy rates, and record high energy costs, the Dow still reached record levels last week. Unemployment is at historic lows. I can't explain it but it's happening.
 
Don't give up on Americans that easy. We are a resilient and resourceful bunch.
#26 of 16738
Re: UAW and Toyota.. [dtownfb] by gagrice
Apr 24, 2007 (8:24 am)
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Replying to: dtownfb (Apr 24, 2007 7:46 am)

I can probably explain a few things. It will probably take a bit for the housing bubble to burst in your area. Homes that sold for record prices a year ago are now getting price cuts. They are sitting for up to 6 months and more not sold. Foreclosure lists are tremendously long here in So CA. I am looking at a home to buy that sold in 2004 at $332 a foot. I am thinking of offering $275 and afraid I am going too high. Watching the MLS people are cutting the price by $100k after 2 weeks on the market. And still not selling.
 
The stock market, what can I say. My 401k is going great and I have no idea why. I guess I will let it go until I have to dip in when I am 70. Oil and military related stocks may be carrying the load.
 
Unemployment is an interesting situation both here and in the EU. We are not making children fast enough to fill the jobs. I get called every couple weeks to come out of retirement. I just laugh at them. There is a shortage of skilled craft people. Some over qualified people may not be working. They need to learn how to repair plumbing, electrical or AC. Not all service jobs are at McDonald's. Some pay very well. I have a tough time finding people that want to work. Everyone thinks they are a web site designer.
#27 of 16738
Jobs of the future by lokki
Apr 24, 2007 (8:57 am)
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I had an interesting discussion over drinks with a few friends where we tried to determine what jobs can't be outsourced,off-shored, or done by robots.
 
It came down to the skilled trades. You can't off-shore a plumber, or an electrician, or a technician who installs or repairs equipment.
 
So automotive building may go off-shore, but not automotive repair.
#28 of 16738
Re: UAW and Toyota.. [dtownfb] by grbeck
Apr 24, 2007 (9:03 am)
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Replying to: dtownfb (Apr 24, 2007 7:46 am)

dtownfb: Your profile says that you live in York, Pa. I live in Harrisburg. The housing market in your area is being held up by people moving out of the Baltimore area into Pennsylvania.
 
Here in Harrisburg the market is cooling for homes over $200,000. Homes between $150,000-200,000 are still selling well, but it's only a matter of time before there is downward pressure on homes in that price range, too.
 
Also remember that Gagrice lives in Southern California, which was on the leading edge of the housing bubble, and is now on the leading edge as it deflates.
 
Southern California doesn't just lead in automotive trends.
#29 of 16738
Re: UAW and Toyota.. [grbeck] by gagrice
Apr 24, 2007 (11:06 am)
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Replying to: grbeck (Apr 24, 2007 9:03 am)

I am surprised that you have homes for $200k. I just looked at a foreclosure on a 1 bdrm 1 bath condo. It is 606 sq ft and the guy owes $231k to the lender. For someone that bought an $800k home the beginning of last year and was hoping to sell before his interest rate went up the bubble has burst. That same home will sit for months at $650k today. I have seen this happen before in Alaska and Hawaii. Never to this extent in California. The Lenders that do not go bankrupt will be in the minority.
 
College is good. I would also give equal weight to trade schools. Auto mechanics that are good at analyzing problems in todays cars will be in short supply. I would recommend the electricians Union and the plumbers and pipefitters Union. Both very good pay and benefits.
#30 of 16738
Re: UAW and Toyota.. [gagrice] by grbeck
Apr 24, 2007 (11:57 am)
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Replying to: gagrice (Apr 24, 2007 11:06 am)

That's one reason it's nice to live here. Decent housing is affordable. We just don't have the beach nearby, or warm weather in January and February.

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