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GM Brownstown electric car workers may see lower wages

Detroit Free Press -- General Motors wants to pay factory workers making advanced technology items for electric cars less than $14 per hour - lower than a controversial second-tier wage reached in the 2007 national contract.

GM and the UAW have reached the understanding on pay as part of a framework for a future contract, the Free Press has learned.

"This should set a standard for other companies" as automakers do in-house parts manufacturing for next-generation vehicles, said Gary Chaison, a professor of industrial relations at Clark University in Worcester, Mass.

The new framework - which also includes fewer job classifications and new work rules - was hashed out late last summer with the intention of being applied to new hourly workers at GM's Brownstown Township battery pack and Baltimore electric-

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Submitted Mar 13, 2010 By: Martinman

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genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,611 Points:834,680 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2010 4:36:24 AM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse Sneakers55, you are wrong but I can't argue with a brick. Think what you want.
Sneakers55 Champion Author Houston Posts:43,421 Points:1,715,030 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 9:38:52 PM Ignore Sneakers55 Report Abuse genef01 wrote: >For those of you that constantly bash unions, do you have >a health plan, sick days, vacations, any retirement plan >except Social Security? You can thank unions for those >"perks". Yes, and wet streets cause rain. >There was a time in this country, in the beginning of the >industrial revolution that workers didn't have anything >like that. Employers hired and fired at will. They still do. It's the law of the land. >If you didn't work, you didn't get paid for that day. That can happen when you run out of sick leave and vacation.
genef01 Champion Author Nashville Posts:2,611 Points:834,680 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 7:40:54 PM Ignore genef01 Report Abuse VWC, you are pretty much right on in your summary. For those of you that constantly bash unions, do you have a health plan, sick days, vacations, any retirement plan except Social Security? You can thank unions for those "perks". There was a time in this country, in the beginning of the industrial revolution that workers didn't have anything like that. Employers hired and fired at will. If you didn't work, you didn't get paid for that day. Out of unfair(and in some cases inhumane) conditions came the labor movement. There was much resistance and more than a few deaths as workers tried to unite for their common good. The pendulum has swung both ways in the last century. Today it is probably too far to the labor side. I have worked on both sides of the fence, first in labor and later in management. I have been in GM plants in several states and seen good things and some things not so good. As technologies in the workplace change, labor and management both have to change for the common good of the industry. I'm not saying all management is good and all labor is bad, but unless you have walked in their shoes for a while, you aren't qualified to just arbitrarily organized labor is the problem in this country.
TFowler513 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,582 Points:980,735 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 1:32:37 PM Ignore TFowler513 Report Abuse At least they have a job!!!
WCCurtis Champion Author San Bernardino Posts:3,304 Points:1,363,670 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:42:57 PM Ignore WCCurtis Report Abuse There must be some hidden fine print somewhere in the contract. Can not see Obama or the UAW going for this.
CLM06 Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,841 Points:1,496,065 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:42:39 PM Ignore CLM06 Report Abuse At least their working which is better than a lot of other people
zdn Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,722 Points:732,990 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:31:44 PM Ignore zdn Report Abuse at least its not china
YLHandyman Champion Author Orange County Posts:5,009 Points:931,010 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:31:03 PM Ignore YLHandyman Report Abuse This is Government Motors now.
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:7,165 Points:1,002,505 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:30:10 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse In Alpena people would jump at a chance for a job at $14.00 an hour.
computernut2008 Champion Author Ohio Posts:4,270 Points:903,270 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:30:07 PM Ignore computernut2008 Report Abuse If they don't take it then off to China that work will go
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:7,679 Points:1,616,885 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:27:47 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse Wow, they can actually get plugged up!
Prodaddy Champion Author Houston Posts:6,073 Points:1,434,045 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:25:54 PM Ignore Prodaddy Report Abuse They better take it or they might be out of work
04tang Champion Author Ohio Posts:2,244 Points:494,475 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:25:22 PM Ignore 04tang Report Abuse $14.00 an hr is better than unemployment.
uglytom Champion Author Florida Posts:5,693 Points:1,191,885 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:23:02 PM Ignore uglytom Report Abuse Just under $37,500 isn't bad for a forty hour week with no overtime! Many would jump at it,if they were there!
ftsgt Champion Author Illinois Posts:10,740 Points:2,063,860 Joined:Dec 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:15:29 PM Ignore ftsgt Report Abuse $14 per hour, not so hot
BlueVanGroup Champion Author Colorado Posts:4,802 Points:1,073,325 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:14:22 PM Ignore BlueVanGroup Report Abuse "The new framework ... was hashed out late last summer with the intention of being applied to new hourly workers at GM's Brownstown Township battery pack and Baltimore electric-motor facilities if workers decide to unionize." The union is only acting reasonably to ensnare new workers. (Like a credit card that offers a teaser rate and then jacks up the interest to 29%.)
gasie1 Champion Author Maine Posts:8,609 Points:2,052,765 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:11:30 PM Ignore gasie1 Report Abuse I am unemployed and would be glad to make $14/hour!
repeater1 Champion Author Topeka Posts:6,058 Points:1,917,470 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:11:09 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse UAW is going down the tubes finally.
pdcarver Champion Author San Diego Posts:1,289 Points:252,370 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:10:42 PM Ignore pdcarver Report Abuse Good, if they want to earn more, let them work harder. unions cap wages and encourages laziness and skill suppression.
jimshell Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:2,102 Points:591,945 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:08:30 PM Ignore jimshell Report Abuse The UAW seems to be losing their grip and it's about time.
fedex09 All-Star Author Missouri Posts:626 Points:686,380 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:07:52 PM Ignore fedex09 Report Abuse I'll have to agree with VWC on this one.
1Casey Champion Author Albany Posts:4,536 Points:1,422,110 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:06:57 PM Ignore 1Casey Report Abuse Remember that with these wages these workers were the ones who bought much of the other items that are out there in the market place. Remember the C.E.O.'s that make all the final decisions at the auto makers and what they allow to happen,
paoli8 Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:4,920 Points:1,381,410 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:06:39 PM Ignore paoli8 Report Abuse The UAW greed has been responsible for the loss of many US jobs and unless they wake up, the decline in employment will continue.
badtazz Sophomore Author Washington Posts:222 Points:81,445 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:03:35 PM Ignore badtazz Report Abuse Be happy to have a job with this economy.
threewheeler Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,377 Points:318,330 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 12:03:28 PM Ignore threewheeler Report Abuse I'm surprised the UAW is going along with it.
Hunter114 Champion Author Chicago Posts:5,550 Points:995,860 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:58:33 AM Ignore Hunter114 Report Abuse Look for this to happen more. Unoin labor is currently overpriced, and that's not including retirement and benifits packages.
VWC Veteran Author Maryland Posts:450 Points:730,840 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:57:31 AM Ignore VWC Report Abuse Auto workers are getting paid too much. Unions are killing companies and killing jobs. There was a time when unions were needed and were doing more good than harm, but now it is the exact opposite.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:5,431 Points:1,107,775 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:57:04 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse With this administration's economy, unions cannot expect to see increased wages and benefits when so many are out of jobs and world competition on automotive prices cannot support current wage scales. Throw in the retirement expenses and today's workers are going to accept much lower wages or accept unemployment.
gilfarm Champion Author Alabama Posts:4,631 Points:1,507,915 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:54:28 AM Ignore gilfarm Report Abuse We have to compete in a world economy. Can not pay labor more that the value they add to the product.
Jizme Champion Author Lincoln Posts:7,534 Points:2,442,795 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:53:53 AM Ignore Jizme Report Abuse I wish that I could be making $14 per hour to work on a assembly line.
ByGuy Champion Author Dallas Posts:5,669 Points:1,272,330 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:52:15 AM Ignore ByGuy Report Abuse Non union is the way to go to become competitive again.
Skip928 Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,075 Points:992,050 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:50:14 AM Ignore Skip928 Report Abuse Union contracts are killing the USA
gas_too_high Champion Author Columbus Posts:8,208 Points:1,481,965 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:50:07 AM Ignore gas_too_high Report Abuse Like it or not, this is the future of union labor: wages more in line with today's labor markets where jobs can and often do go overseas. GTH
Bussman Champion Author Dallas Posts:3,871 Points:994,465 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:49:26 AM Ignore Bussman Report Abuse Unions had their day. There was a time when their altruism actually helped American workers. Now they are a primary cause of job loss and economic downturn. With their power (and membership numbers), they dictate politics and politicians who are beholden to them. Their members are forced to pay dues that support "fat-cat" union executives while the membership's actual benefits slowly erode. What was once a decent idea has corrupted into a nightmare. Just look at the lifecycle of communism and you see a direct parallel. By the time the Soviet Union fell, the powerful communist party chiefs were living like kings compared to their "workers" who were mostly unemployed. A reflection of modern-day unions.
jd2009 Champion Author Honolulu Posts:3,317 Points:1,032,165 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:49:20 AM Ignore jd2009 Report Abuse 14/hr is better then no job ... thank the UAw
ShudBWalking Champion Author Kitchener-Waterloo Posts:2,962 Points:351,380 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:40:49 AM Ignore ShudBWalking Report Abuse that would be an excellent starting wage for many young people. What the auto industry is paying now is what has put the auto industry in distress, $28 to start plus benefits makes the product too expensive.
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:6,262 Points:1,079,880 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:38:47 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse Not great pay, but a paycheck still. Question is this - is that $14 an hour before or after benefits?
bluzdw Sophomore Author Missouri Posts:121 Points:30,745 Joined:Feb 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:38:27 AM Ignore bluzdw Report Abuse THE UNION HAS SENT AWAY ALL JOBS.
Diesel_Ram Champion Author Dallas Posts:4,237 Points:1,058,230 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:37:43 AM Ignore Diesel_Ram Report Abuse For the most part it's all unskilled labor so $14 an hour is fair.
Greg6901 All-Star Author Oakland Posts:616 Points:664,660 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:35:46 AM Ignore Greg6901 Report Abuse $14/hour? Not good.
twiper1 Champion Author San Diego Posts:5,492 Points:1,142,460 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:35:23 AM Ignore twiper1 Report Abuse Remember GM, You get what you pay for.
cutter1330 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:5,733 Points:1,232,490 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:35:19 AM Ignore cutter1330 Report Abuse $14/hr, OOOOUUUUCCCCHHH!
bicycler Champion Author Ontario Posts:12,707 Points:2,210,320 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:33:41 AM Ignore bicycler Report Abuse Ow, that will hurt!
ttwiw Champion Author Austin Posts:2,166 Points:1,301,160 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:32:42 AM Ignore ttwiw Report Abuse I wish the article would tell us the hourly wage if the workers choose to NOT unionize
Robert44 Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,884 Points:946,105 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:29:51 AM Ignore Robert44 Report Abuse Give Thanks to Obama
matman01 Champion Author Detroit Posts:12,242 Points:1,515,405 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:25:49 AM Ignore matman01 Report Abuse $14 a hour? WHo could support a family on that wage?
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:8,526 Points:824,625 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:54 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse UAW wages are too high when you factor in the perks as well. We need to get a grip on this ASAP.
Rick52 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:9,438 Points:741,260 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:53 AM Ignore Rick52 Report Abuse njerald :GM is all ready bankrupt again......... So is our Government (Tax Payers )....
jwduke1 Champion Author Iowa Posts:13,865 Points:2,725,715 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:19 AM Ignore jwduke1 Report Abuse I'm surprised the UAW is going along with it.
fordfan1 Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,746 Points:1,427,040 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:20:08 AM Ignore fordfan1 Report Abuse This is a new fact of life in the American auto industry. Get used to it!
foxups Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,252 Points:645,060 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Mar 13, 2010 11:19:03 AM Ignore foxups Report Abuse higher pay for better work