<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by f5fstop:
Whether or not China or even Korea is the place where the Hummer will eventually be made may be determined in the next few years.
Not to sound like a union basher, but the UAW has to wake up and realize the auto companies can no longer guarantee their pay if a plant closes.
The job banks was originally setup for the temporary closing of a plant so that the workers would be around in a few months when the plant reopened. However, GM alone, pays over 700 Mil to workers who are not working. This has to go, and they should have the same permanent layoff policy that the salaried worker has: one month severance for each year worked, with a maximum of 15 years.
The UAW worker also has to start paying their share for health care. As a salaried worker, I pay over 70 per month for my health care (not counting life/accident insurance). I AM NOT COMPLAINING, but hearing the UAW workers complain about paying the same amount, makes me furious, and it is causing a large split between the salaried and factory workers at GM.
Whether or not they wake up to this in the 07 contract talks is up to debate. However, if they get stubborn and refuse to listen, they will find out GM can and possibly will go bankrupt, and do a Delphi. Keep their overseas plants, but close the US plants.
GM management over the many years, is also to blame. One for signing these contracts without seeing the future. For not making decent vehicles back in the 70s and 80s, and not designing what the customer wants. I believe they now make a quality product, and the designs are getting better.
As for losing our manufacturing we lose our defense, I could not agree more. Just look at WWII. The US was able to fight on two fronts, equipped two forces (Pacific/Atlantic) with some of the best equipment, due to the fact we were the largest manufacturing nation in the world. It took time, but the US auto manufacturer and others converted their factories from cars and trucks to tanks and planes. (GM, through their Fisher Guide Division was the largest producer of Grease Guns in WWII, and I don't mean the grease gun used to lubricate a car.)
The other problem is, and this is nothing against anyone here, but the purchase of Japanese transplant vehicles. Yes, this put Americans to work, yes, Americans have a right to purchase whatever they please, but the US car manufactures invest more back into this country in one year, then most Japanese manufactures invest in 10 years. And by investment, I don't just mean building big plants, I mean taxes, workers salaries, etc.
I personally will never purchase a Japanese vehicle; I'm pissed that there are numerous Japanese components on US made vehicles; but to purchase a Japanese vehicle would in my mind, be an insult to the military that fought in WWII, and especially my Uncles, one who fought and told me about the war in the pacific, the other who died somewhere in Bataan, never did find out if it was during the March, or toward the end of the war when they Japanese burned POWs alive; not sure if anyone really knows.
Guess I have said enough to pee off some, but after work today, I really felt like ranting. Time to head for the local pup....
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It's funny that you feel that way f5fstop, since your moniker is "And ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free" you should know this: One of the most expensive parts on our Hummer H3, the braking and traction control system, is supplied by ADVICS North America, which is owned by a consortium of Japanese auto suppliers Denso, Aisin Seiko, and Sumitomo Electric which made it's name as a primary supplier to Toyota.
Gonna sell your Hummer?
About the Chinese. It's all about an uneven playing field. It's not at all some rediculous thing that they're willing to do what we won't and for less money (what a load of krap) it's about them not having OSHA, the torte system we have, EPA, you name it.