Quote:
Originally Posted by fbodfather
mmmmmm......not quite that simple.
There is much blame to go around:
>no level playing field with the european union and Japan and Korea --
>additional government regulations...(WHY is it that we keep legislating more and more safety features - yet there is NO National Driver Education program in this country - there are a few states where you can actually get a driver's license by taking a written test -- and you don't actually have to get behind the wheel!)
>several emission standards rather than one National one
>Apathy by the American Public
>Glacial pace of change in the past
>Unwillingness of SOME locals to change.
............there are many more, but I'm afraid I'll bring down the server if I keep listing them.......
I know the Unions are upset with those of us in Salaried Positions - but what I don't think they realize is that we are expected to work anytime needed -- with nothing like overtime -- we are 'exempt' -- we make the same money if we work 40 hours a week (I don't remember ever working 'only' 40 hours a week...) or 90 hours a week.......most of us are not 'bonus' level -- and those that are have no bonuses anymore.....we pay for the privilege of a company car.....we have sizable co-pays on our insurance (I pay over $200 a month for my heart medications) .....further, as we downsize, we take on the responsibilities of other people -- (i.e. at one time there was an an Exhibit Manager and an assistant Exhibit Manager for every Division - and Chevy had two -- one for cars, one for trucks........I'm now doing Chevy/Cad/Hummer/Saab -- and no assistants......and you know, if that's what I need to do to keep us competitive, so be it.....)
I, for one, believe (and this is my opinion...) that we SHOULD pay good wages to our laborers - because, you see, the money they make goes back into the economy.
Someone on another site said: " F*** 'em! make 'em give back 30% of their wages..........
OK.
Now - think about that.
Let's take Lordstown/Warren/Youngstown Ohio - what do you suppose would happen if we take that percentage away from our workers?
Massive foreclosures.
Local economy takes a hit
Vacation industry gets slapped
etc
etc
etc
................see, it isn't quite that easy.
What IS problematic is that the big three have, as I recall, north of 2 million retirees -- whereas Toyota has less than 600 --
OK.......now THAT'S competitive..........
There is no easy answer.
In closing...think about this:
>We won world war II by outproducing the enemy.
>The Wall Street Journal and other business periodicals credit GM with saving the economy after 9/11 --
........and yet so many Americans hate the big three.............and this, my friends, is Shameful.
|
I'm sorry if i seemed a bit rude i'm not mad at you guys i'm mad that people are blaming gm when the government had a huge hand in screwing you guys with stuff like the c.a.f.e standards
my only issue with unions is that they kind of force you to pay above market value...where as a company like toyota pays 50-60% less in their overall costs...its almost unfair competition from the start...now the 2 million retirees to 600 is astounding wow I had no idea, I understand why unions exist and workers have a right to unite but its no coincidence that industries that are heavily unionized end up being the ones that are doing bad now
and japan has national health insurance(which i don't ideologically agree with) but that also gives japanese automakers a huge advantage ...I'd prefer that we all have an individual based system with tax credits and you get to chose your plan but either one will help gm save costs
I heard that about 1000 dollars gets added in the price of every gm car because of the massive amount of healthcare that gm provides...
but f-bod my prayers are with you guys and i'm rooting for you guys...
what do you think will bode gm better the bailout or filing chapter 11 where you can possibly re-negotiate some of those union contracts?
the only problem if you accept the government money they are going to force you guys to accommodate to even stricter standards which will just put you guys in the same position in 2 years
I have faith in gm...if putting the camaro convertible on hold will help you guys I think us camaro faithful can make that sacrifice and either wait or just get an ss
I appreciate your input as you are way more knowledgeable than me and if i'm wrong in any one of my comments feel free to correct me