Will UAW Strike?

[scootr]

EVs also require far less maintenance reducing more jobs in the auto service and repair industry.

 

[dodge man]

As far as robots taking over all the jobs, I don’t think that will happen. For various projects I worked on as a land surveyor, I worked in some factories. I’m always surprised how much hands on work is required. I’m sure robots could take over a few more jobs but they may have already reached a practical limit.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

The 32hour week isnt too far fetched. I know people working 4 days a week for full pay and it's normal. Both in manufacturing and tech

 

[5030]

Yesterday, Fords laid off 600 factory workers, what plant or which plants, I have no idea but that all distills down to the JIT philosophy, that is, once the supply chain is broken, it becomes a cascading effect as the product producing lines don't have the necessary components to complete any sub assemblies of finished cars or trucks.

I was told ahead of time by my BIL that would be what transpired.

Like I said previously, Fain and the UAW believes they have the unionized automakers over a barrel, I believe the opposite is true however. Once the reality sets in with the rank and file getting 580 bucks strike pay and not being able to pay their bills or buy food or fuel for their buggies, the attitude will change rapidly. At least the laid off workers can get unemployment compensation which will probably last longer than the strike pay fund the UAW has.

The UAW selectively struck all 3 automakers but only certain departments. Like I said, once the JIT chain is broken, all heck will break loose.

The automakers have very carefully adopted the JIT philosophy to insure maximum parts availability but once that is compromised, you'll see what transpires.

My wife was on Facebook yesterday and there were a couple striking autoworkers on there looking for free firewood so they could heat their homes as cold weather is coming and out here, there is no NG. it's all oil or propane heat and propane is going up like a helium Balloon presently. I have a large pile of saw logs in the side yard but they are already spoken for, not that I'd give them away anyway. I get compensated for them from my wood cutter friend who cuts and splits them and sells firewood to all the local campgrounds to supplement his retirement income.

Gonna be a long, cold winter up here in SE Michigan if they don't come to an amicable settlement pretty quick. Getting colder here as the days progress.

 

[5030]

It appears to me at least that Stellantis and GM are allowing Fords to take the lead game in this strike. Will see how that plays out.

 

[newbury]

the JIT philosophy

And the "J" is pronounced "SH"

 

[MAX-24-Dean]

EVs also require far less maintenance reducing more jobs in the auto service and repair industry.

The EV's do have a track record of requiring a lot more time for firefighters being on scene vs an ICE, so the flip side may be more jobs in fire departments?

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Agree!
I think we will reach the point where robotics & AI will be used to the point where very little UAW labor will be needed anymore.
One advantage of EV’s is they have fewer moving parts. They present an opportunity to eliminate a lot more human hands assembling vehicles.

Now if they can just build a Ram 5500 4WD EV that’ll tow 35-40K like my present Cummins powered Ram….

This has been going on on the farm for then last century.

Watching hay making is one of my first memories in life.

Out behind the barn someone was driving a small tractor in a straight line backward and forward over and over. Wagons were coming to the barn loaded with loose hay that parked in front of the barn and a spear would come over and pick up a bit and take it up.

Being 3 or 4 years old and not seeing the field or loft operation there were many people involved. Now with repeating robotics many farm workers have been replaced.forever.

The $25K next generation Tesla will require relatively few man-hours of labor by design.

Labor cost of a car built in the USA today can only be computed 40 years from now due due to unknown future healthcare and retirement growing and unknown costs. Best estimates indicate they will bankrupt the big 3 and the USA federal government.

 

[Joel/ak]

Union has about 6 weeks worth of money to cover the weekly wages and insurance costs.

Here in Grand rapids, blue cross blue shield workers just went on strike. They are part of the UAW. Part of the strike fund is going to them now.

Gonna be a rough time coming for some. Good thing I live within my means. I can get fired tomorrow and will still be able to survive. Alot of the union folks cant

 

[milkman636]

The UAW builds more than just automobiles. They have over 600 local unions in north america with more than 400,000 active and nearly 600,000 retired members. They all pay union dues every month to cover expenses.

The CEO's at the big 3 are scratching out a bloated wage;

Barra at GM, $29 million
Farley at Ford, $21 million
Tavares at Stellantis, $24 million

Don’t forget about former executives still on the payroll, like Sergio Marichone of stellantis, who died in 2018 and his estate is still getting $29,000,000 a year…..

They have no problem giving truckloads of cash to dead and gone executives, it’s just the people that build the cars that everyone seems to object to paying.

 

[ruffdog]

Don’t forget about former executives still on the payroll, like Sergio Marichone of stellantis, who died in 2018 and his estate is still getting $29,000,000 a year…..

Talk about a milk check.....

 

[airbiscuit]

 

[Pixguy]

As I told my kids, Don't sit and whine what others make, do what it takes to get their job and salary!

 

[5030]

Anyway you slice it, it will be interesting and entertaining for those of us who aren't auto workers or in the UAW. Far as I'm concerned the union can go bye-bye. I did my stint in the Teamsters long ago and went to work at a non-union job and I'm grateful I did. I retired with an excellent pension. Being in the union when I was, left a bad taste in my mouth and I never missed paying union dues and getting basically nothing in return.
Always been my philosophy that unions protect the weak and shiftless workers.

 

[5030]

Alot of the union folks cant

Most cannot from what I see, least not very long. Once the bills come in like they do every month, gonna be a heartache tonight... Especially applies to auto workers, least the ones around here. They all have numerous toys, fancy homes and newer vehicles and I bet everything has due notes too.

Like I said previously, Fain is living in a glass house and that glass house is about to be shattered.

I guess he miscalculated what would happen by having selected locals strike. I knew the game plan at Fords a while ago thanks to my BIL.

Like I said, once you break the supply chain, the whole house of cards crumbles.

The issue is, right now, the economy is fragile and this may just rock the 'apple cart' enough to send us into a deep recession.

I wonder what happens when the UAW strike fund is depleted? Anyone care to venture a guess?

Looks like the well worn phrase about the UAW will apply soon... YOU AIN'T WORKING....

 

[Joel/ak]

Fain doesn't care if it crumbles. I'm sure the guy has 7 figures in his bank account.

My brother is very democratic leaning, but starting to see the light. He's 30 year UAW. He even said the guy is asking too much, fain wants a strike.

Alot of folks are gonna be hurting if this drags on, not just the unions

 

[5030]

Fain doesn't care if it crumbles. I'm sure the guy has 7 figures in his bank account.

Far as I'm concerned, Fain is just like the rest of the upper union management, sucking the graft and cares less about the little guy. Typical union mantra, one of the main reasons I divorced the Teamsters.

Trust me when I tell you that the automakers are gonna put a hurt on the UAW.

What I find interesting and it's also very true and that is, the automakers don't need the union, the union needs them instead. Look at the non union auto makers, none of them want union representation because they are paid a good wage, have good health and welfare and appreciate their jobs and don't need no stinking union to be successful. If I remember correctly, the UAW tried to organize (Toyota) I think and the employees said 'no thanks'.

 

[hiddentacocatneddih]

Non union Toyota plant was offering $5000 sign on bonus to non skilled production workers last year. $10-15k

Their hourly was LOW tho for electicans. Think it topped out around $35. I was making $50-60 in a factory working 4 days a week.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

Constitutional Rights Foundation

Reading this about 60 years ago helped me understand why the unions came to be.

 

[milkman636]

………My brother is very democratic leaning, but starting to see the light. He's 30 year UAW. He even said the guy is asking too much, fain wants a strike…….

This is a great illustration of the core problem. He is top-tier guy with a guaranteed pension so he is comfortable. Meanwhile the new hire working next to him on the same job may have started out as a temp making $20 less per hour to do the same job at the exact same pace. That may have went on for 5 years before the temp was hired in as a direct hire, lower paid, second-tier employee that still makes $10 less per hour and has no hope for a pension. Even though he’s shown up faithfully for over 12,000 hours of work, he will never have it as good as the guys that just happened to be born a few years sooner.
This same guy may also have recently read the annual financial report that shows his current ceo is getting $25,000,000 this year, the former ceo Mike Manley is getting $56,200,000 this year even though he left 2 years ago, and the dead former ceo marchionee is getting $29,000,000 this year even though he’s been dead for five years..

The bottom tier guy is struggling to buy things to provide his kids a normal life, and the company that claims they can’t afford to pay him any more can afford to pay 3 ceos over $100,000,000 this year. And now the media and public are telling him he’s the problem because he’s asking for too much.

It’s a sad statement that we are so collectively quick to label hourly people that are making things in America as lazy and literally worth-less.