They Had it Coming

The UAW is bemoaning the "sacrifices" it had to make to more or less keep GM afloat - assuming it stays alive at all. They should have thought of such deals a decade ago; the oppressive contracts they forced on the automakers are mostly, the reason why GM and Chrysler are in bankruptcy. Frankly, I think what the UAW did to the entire US auto industry is tantamount to extortion and embezzlement.

The weird icing on this goofy cake is that the UAW is ending up a large shareholder in GM. It boggles the mind. Collapse an industry, reap a reward, handed to you by your bought-and-paid-for politicians. I think we need a movie with Jimmy Stewart in it about this one.

Anyway, I saw this in an article on the situation:

Autoworkers swallow a bitter pill - May. 29, 2009:

"Today, an entry-level autoworker in a 'non-core' position will make $14 an hour, compared to the $28-an-hour 'base rate' others make, according to a summary of Chrysler's contract agreement."

Hmm, OK, let's compare that with some other positions.Take nursing for example.

To become a nurse, one has to be college-educated, have nursing training, pass a board certification and then be licensed. In many states they must maintain their education through continuing education courses, or they lose their license and their job. Then they have the professional responsibility of taking care of people whose lives often depend on it.

What do they make? Depends on where you go, but $14 - $20 an hour is about it for a new nurse. That compares to what the entry-level floor sweeper makes at GM. Anyone in the union hired by GM will, on the first day, make twice what a beginning nurse makes, even after all her hard work and education.

Ain't right, is it?

But that's not all. The "concessions" the UAW says it made sheds light on how good they actually had it; for example:

UAW members agree to GM concessions | detnews.com | The Detroit News:

"Key concessions in the GM-UAW pact mirror those given to Chrysler. Among them:

• A new incentive offer is on the table to further winnow the GM work force at plants other than the Davison Road, Flint East and Needmore Road facilities. UAW workers can get $20,000 in cash to retire and a $25,000 vehicle voucher. Workers with more than 20 years can get $115,000 in cash and $25,000 vehicle voucher to quit early.

• Tuition assistance for UAW workers is suspended for at least a year for all current and retired employees.

• Dental and vision coverage and some prescription drugs for hourly retirees are eliminated, including erectile dysfunction medication. Low-income retirees who previously had no co-pay must now make an $11 monthly co-pay.

• GM UAW employees will no longer be paid for unused vacation. Breaks will be shortened and overtime rules tightened.

If these are concessions, what the hell was it before? And what did they retain?

These guys are just pissing their pants over losing everything, which is why the UAW membership agreed to give up anything. Believe me, it wasn't for the good of the company. Although, a strong argument can be made that the stronger the company, the more protected the job. But the UAW was never known for its brains, just its brawn. Thieves. They could teach the robber-barons a thing or two.

Still, a 20-year worker can get a $115,000 payout and a new car if he retires early. Where can anyone get anything like that?

So, not much sympathy here for the union boys, who killed the goose that laid all those golden eggs. But I think they're going to need the Viagra that they now have to pay for themselves.


Additional Sources:
http://www.allied-physicians.com/salary-surveys/nursing/
http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Registered_Nurse_(RN)/Hourly_Rate