UAW "leans toward" striking Ford if deal isn't reached
09-07-2011, 12:45 PM
#1
UAW "leans toward" striking Ford if deal isn't reached
The United Auto Workers are currently negotiating new labour contracts with The Detroit Three. Due to bankruptcy restrictions, UAW members working at General Motors and Chrysler and can't go on strike. Ford, on the other hand, didn't get a no-strike clause since it didn't go through the bankruptcy process. That means the UAW can walk off Blue Oval production lines if it chooses to do so, and it is already threatening to do just that if it doesn't get the agreement it wants when the current contract expires on September 14.
The Detroit News report on the matter is reminiscent of sports press reportage on the former NFL and current NBA lockouts: haves and have-nots, short memories, separate legal actions, and phrases like "they don't believe Ford's claims of poverty."
A couple of days ago, it was reported that preliminary voting was heavily in favour of a strike, and that wasn't a fluke: strike authorization is running at 97 per cent – well above usual. But some UAW workers feel that the plants that are doing well, like the Dearborn Truck plant making the F-150 pickup, is a case of "The fat-cat plants want more," while plants that want more work are content for now to let Ford get healthier before asking for more.
A strike authorization from Bob King and company does not necessarily mean that there will be a strike if an amicable conclusion can't be reached, but it does give the UAW more ammunition than it has with GM and Chrysler.
09-07-2011, 10:29 PM
#4
CMOC Veteran
Join Date: May 2011
Location: St. THomas
Posts: 476
Speaking as a retired FORD worker ( Talbotville) you wouldn't believe some of the bull the company tried to pull on its workers. I've seen it in the years past big time. Offers of a contract that weren't worth the paper they're written on. Right up to the few days before the strike date. And it wasn't always during the rough times. I'm not saying the unions are angels, just that the company isn't either. It goes both ways.
09-08-2011, 06:54 PM
#6
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 17,778
Speaking as a retired FORD worker ( Talbotville) you wouldn't believe some of the bull the company tried to pull on its workers. I've seen it in the years past big time. Offers of a contract that weren't worth the paper they're written on. Right up to the few days before the strike date. And it wasn't always during the rough times. I'm not saying the unions are angels, just that the company isn't either. It goes both ways.
09-08-2011, 07:25 PM
#7
Retired Admin
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Barrie, Ontario
Posts: 4,821
Stories like this make me angry. Job loss is still rampet in this country, unemployment is through the roof, the auto industry is fragile at best - and strike is what Ford employees are favoring? Will people be happy when were all driving electric imports?
09-09-2011, 07:46 PM
#8
I am the post KING
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Calgary
Posts: 15,244
^^^^well put. A prime example on the demise of the Canadian auto industry is Windsor Ont my birthplace. 20+ years ago and going back to the 20's Windsor revolved around the auto business. To drive through Windsor today and see all the abandoned plants/factories is just plain sad. I am not blaming the unions or the mgmt but in fact I am blaming both of them. I will blame the management for engineering/selling junk and I blame the union for being just plain greedy. I will still buy Big 3 and really try to find their stuff thats manufactured in N America but there's a reason Pancho and Dungchow and now building the cars we buy.
