GM: Just Be Glad You Have A Job

Fancy boys, Automotive News reports: GM to UAW: Let's cut costs. This article talks about local negotiations rather than nation-wide ones which typically get all the headlines (we're 100% guilty of that because we aren't schooled in the ways of unions, negotiations and the wooing of bluegrass(y) singers, so accept our apologies if we've made blanket statements).

In late February, GM opened negotiations with Lordstown's union officials. GM wants the union to accept nonunion janitors, work 10-hour shifts without overtime pay, allow nonunion workers to replenish parts bins and let nonunion truckers deliver and unload parts shipments.

GM wants to shift about 20 percent of the work now performed by UAW members to outside contractors, says Jeff Manning, president of UAW Local 31. That would affect about 500 of the plant's 2,500 union jobs, he said.

Now we don't happen to know if that 10-hour shift means 50 hours a week, but we're willing to bet it's a 5-day/week jobbie, so what does this mean exactly? GM is forcing big pay cuts for janitors ($28/hour to $12/hour) and imposing more work hours? Hawesome! What's good for GM is good for America! Yay! It's become crystal clear the main problem people aren't lining up to buy GMs is clearly based on janitorial pay. Why we didn't see this before... well, we're ashamed. Mr. Wagoner, get on this janitorial compensation model ASAP!

But Manning says the rank-and-file might not approve True North unless GM management shares the financial sacrifice. "It's going to be tough," he said. "It'd be far easier if management shared in the $54 million."

Careful, Mr. Manning. Talk like that is enough to get the plant shutdown for good.

Comments

[Bryan Thalbourne]

$28 an hour for a janitorial position? That's what I am paid as an IT professional in a Government job (in Australia.. and in India I would be being considerably overpaid at that rate for that same work!).
In comparison I pay my home cleaner $12 an hour (admittedly tax-free, with tax it should be $16).
Sounds like janitors might be on a good thing at GM at the moment (though I admit if someone proposed cutting my pay I would complain too.. I'd probably call in my union!).

[mynes]

Well, that isn't a nice negotiation is it? Automobile industry offers a great deal kind of job because of it's increasing sales and marketability. Take for example the new models released every year! Considering that there are many automobile industry expanding even in the US like Japan's expanding automobile industry.Japan is most famous for compact cars due to their effective fuel consumption. Hence, if Japan opens its gateway to online Japan used car sales and it's becoming a trend where you can buy cars directly from Japan directly , a careful consideration on the growing competition is important. Am sure you'd agree that taking care of the people means taking care of your business.