United Auto Workers Push to Unionize Foreign-Owned U.S. Auto Factories

Now there is a man who seems to prefer Japanese built Toyotas to US built Toyotas.

 

Hi All,

I think the UAW has more than shown they have too much power already. And are not to be trusted with this power. The take over of plants of companies who are putting more value into their product by the UAW will cease this much needed activity. The UAW is not the USW (United States Worker). Its motives are so anti-product-improvement, that the national interest is to keep this organisation out of any company's plant that is greatly improving the car.

Ford is making its Hybrid Fusion in Mexico, presumably to avoid UAW interferance. Rick Wagner had his arm twisted so hard by the UAW enforced economics of GM, that he did not continue with the EV1, and opened a SUV plant instead - his worse mistake of his career he said.

We need to live up to the American practice that bad things should be allowed to fail. And while our leaders decided it was not possible to let GM fail for the sake of the nation, there is NO reason why the UAW and its effect on the product progress must be allowed to fail -for the future of us all.

There was a NPR report on the NUMMI plant. This piece gives more than enough evidence why the UAW is not good for the US, the US Worker, or the US consumer.

Unions, when they become industry wide organisations, invariably have been bad for the industry. A Union that is as large as a single company, has an interest in that company. But, when a Union becomes a multi-company entity, it has the power to deny the industry investment in product improvement, so their members can take more home. And this is bad ultimately for their members, and the society the members are part of .

 

It's all about his empire building too. We've got the same problem with some unions over here but not to that extent.

I know what I'd be thinking if I was a Toyota boss! I'd be booking a trip to Mexico or Canada to see how things are there.

 

There needs to be a balance of power. Those who applaud the demise of unions may not be so happy if/when this country returns to the "good old days" of 60 hour work weeks (10 hours per day, six days per week. If you want off Saturday don't bother returning Monday.), two paid holidays per year, and no paid vacation.

 

well said jim. the pendulum swings both ways. in diificult economic times, the unions are blamed for everything. but the fact is, it's our congress who has let us down by not creating an even playing field with import tariffs.

 

Maybe we see it differently here as most of the things unions have fought for have already happened. Most employed workers get between 3 and 4 weeks paid holiday a year in addition to the Bank Holidays (you call them labor days?) which are also paid, paid maternity rights etc. I was surprised to hear that you only get 2 weeks non paid vacation as standard in the US (some get more too though).

But I also understand that the 'Big 3' are stifled due to old union agreements on healthcare and the like which were affordable in the good days but severely holding them back now. It's all about balance, but if the employees of Toyota US knew there was no union coverage when the took the job, then they should accept that. Japanese companies are usually quite good to work for. Nissan UK is very well regarded here for looking after their employees.

 

Hi Grumpiy..,

Well, you got that wrong. The typical job has 2 weeks of PAID vacation, salary or hourly.

Additionally, ther is legally required FMLA, family / medical leave , which require employers to provide the same job after a worker takes a leave of absence for family emergencies, or medical reasons.

 

we don't have too many government mandated benefits. most unions benefits are exclusive to that particular union and private companies are governed by different rules based on size.