Quote:
Originally Posted by fbodfather
Two thoughts:
I would never attempt to tell a hospital how to run their business....why? Because I've never worked in the health care industry.
YES -- I've had several hospital stays -- but I'm still not a subject expert......
(it could be argued that my hospital stay would have been MUCH better if a certain nurse........well........nevermind....but it would have only cost a few bucks more!!!!........) (OK -- I'll go stand in the corner now.....)
Now-- I'm not saying this to slam you.....
What I AM saying is that I take exception to "GM didn't HAVE to agree to provide health care............" -
Oh Really?
May I suggest you go and dig up any major newspaper from ANY of the Strikes that the UAW waged against the big three---
The last one was bad enough that the President of the United Statee became involved.
Go look at 1998 -- the strike nearly killed us -- and it nearly put several suppliers out of business. (go ask SLP!!)
IT IS NOT THAT SIMPLE...........
The U.S. auto industry has not been on a level playing field for many many years.........and I'm sorry, but I think people need to go and look very hard at the competition --
I remember sending a group (at the Atlanta Auto Show) to one of the Japanese displays -- asking them to find a car that had an interior as nice as the LT Leatherette Interior in the Aveo at the time (two years ago???)
They were absolutely STUNNED --
We suffer from a perception problem -- and a soft I.P. isn't gonna fix that.
Once again -- I remind you -- we utilized the15 Disciples on many many issues........it's not like we did not listen to anyone..........
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At any point in time during the 1998 negotiations did GM even consider moving employee pensions to a 401k? At any time did GM ever consider moving employee healthcare to a third party so employees still have health insurance but the company isn't burdened by a $150,000 procedure on someone who hasn't worked for the company for 20 years or stuck paying the monthly bill of someone's prescriptions? That cash should be going toward soft IPs or longer electric range on the Volt. That's what would have made it fair to the rest of Americans who have to pay for their healthcare, not blaming the government for not providing it. That would have helped make profits on small cars more achieveable. That would help negate the $1500 or so legacy cost that GM has on every car they sell. A nationalized healthcare system would be a disaster. At least untill they clean up the illegal aliens but that a whole other bag of beans.
Scott, you talk about playing on a level playing field, but neither GM nor the UAW seemed to make solid business decisions in reguard to the rest of American companies NOT in the automotive world, thus giving the impression GM is not playing on a level field. Do you think a company like Microsoft would even consider funding pensions and healthcare when it can be done through third party?
If GM did make those proposals to the UAW and they refused them, what can I say? It was bad business.