Comments on Michael J. Golde's articles RSS Syndication from SeekingAlpha.com http://seekingalpha.com/author/michael-j-golde/articles http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-785549 785549 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 23:29:38 -0500 The problem that we had with the Big 3 was they wanted a 3% price drop every year so after about 20 years of this the place went broke.
I was also a non union worker for 25 years of my 35 years working there and after many years of seeing the company making record profits and always telling us (the working man) that we made to much money and let the company control you and your ideas!!
Well we never got a raise in 15 years of my first 25 years that I worked there so after 25 years of getting nothing we voted in the union and started to receive some of the profits that the company always took for themselves.
I could not believe how bad we were getting screwed!!!!
I hope that all you people that work for company's down south open your eyes before it is to late and you end up with nothing for your old age, good luck or wake up and speak up!!!! ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/172439-political-expediency-distorts-gdp-gains?source=feed#comment-753823 753823 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:47:45 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/172439-political-expediency-distorts-gdp-gains?source=feed#comment-753641 753641 Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:07:31 -0500 You only need to look at Britain to see where this kind of mismanagement has led... The last industrialised nation to still be in recession.

"Such anti-business policies do not stimulate job growth and nor does a stimulus package that is focused more on buttressing bloated government spending at the State and municipal levels as opposed to investments in overdue infrastructure improvements where jobs can't be outsourced. But the Obama Administration is a master at managing economic events to distort short-term economic outcomes having nothing to due with the real overall health of the economy."]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/144546-starbucks-vs-mcdonald-s-filtering-through-the-coffee-wars?source=feed#comment-746965 746965 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:13:06 -0500 industry.bnet.com/food.../]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-746127 746127 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:20:07 -0500 Second, the contracts between GM Fiat and Ford are already pattern agreements. Ford does not have any competitive disadvantage compared to the "bankruptcy contracts" GM and Fiat have. Wage rates, benefits, health care, etc. are the same for all of them. The only difference was the no strike clause and the wage freeze on new hires. Ford is allowed to hire 9000 new hires under their current contract. They have laid off and retired almost 50,000 in the last few years and there is a vanishingly small probability they will hire 9000 people in the next 2 years when the contract is up again. It is far more likely they will lay off 9000 than hire them.
The no strike clause is the real and only issue Ford was interested in. The language in the contract doesn't change cost structure or competitiveness or anything at all monetarily. Management simply fears that the UAW would forget how much debt GM and Fiat layed off on the taxpayers or simply defaulted on in bankruptcy. First, Ford hasn't had a strike in 33 years. That means that virtually everyone working at Ford has never had a strike. Why does everyone assume it would happen? Second, how could Ford workers ever get a wage or benefit improvement in the next contract since GM and FIAT have the no strike clause? The answer is they can't. The issue is a non issue. Ford management pressed because they could and because it would simplify a contract negotiation in 2011. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-746103 746103 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:10:07 -0500
Look at it another way. There are about 2 billion desperate people in this world willing to work for pennies a day to survive. With free trade, US workers will eventually be competing with all these desperate people. So in order to compete successfully, our workers need to be as desperate as these 2 billion. So the US will eventually have more and more millions of extremely desperate people willing to do almost anything (legal or illegal, moral or immoral) to survive. The US already has the highest percentage of its population in prison of any country in the world. How many more prisons will be needed 10 years from now? You can't expect American workers to compete with desperate workers around the world ("so-called Free Trade) until American workers are as desperate as them That's a frightening future.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-745341 745341 I worked for three years in a Tier One supplier factory while attending > college. > > I worked nearly a year on mandatory 12 hour shifts and 7 day workweeks. > > > Even with overtime I did not make 1/5th of what the line workers > made. Let alone the pensions, paid time off, education and other > perks. > > And years later, I worked IN Big 3 plants as an outside vendor.
> > Getting high, drinking to excess and sleeping on the job for 7 1/2 > hours a day with 6 weeks paid vacation seemed real tough. > > Poor overworked car makers.]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:00:10 -0500 I didn't know you had to go to college to be a prositute. Do you get 401ks now from your pimp?

My My times have changed.

Goldey


On Nov 04 10:47 AM TeresaE wrote:

> I worked for three years in a Tier One supplier factory while attending
> college.
>
> I worked nearly a year on mandatory 12 hour shifts and 7 day workweeks.
>
>
> Even with overtime I did not make 1/5th of what the line workers
> made. Let alone the pensions, paid time off, education and other
> perks.
>
> And years later, I worked IN Big 3 plants as an outside vendor.

>
> Getting high, drinking to excess and sleeping on the job for 7 1/2
> hours a day with 6 weeks paid vacation seemed real tough.
>
> Poor overworked car makers.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-744723 744723 Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:36:12 -0500 The whole mess that is our economy has to rid itself of useless and counterproductive deadweight at some point in the equation or we lose any worth and legitimacy to settle for politician's lies. Getting more than you're worth by force (government) is rent-seeking. It builds the oppression and tyranny that stifles freedom and prosperous growth.
Massive government is not protecting legitimate rights. It is not enforcing just regulation of the worst frauds and thieves in history; rather, it has raised Wall St.'s payscale. It has enabled multinational corporations to outsource middle class prosperity through one-way stupid trade. It gives us endless costly, growing bureaucracies like the Department of Education and the Department of Energy that would be a joke if they weren't so tragic.
We will soon see if Americans have degenerated so far and are so hellbent on thinking they can vote crumbs for themselves that we have only tyranny and serfdom to look forward to.
]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-744307 744307 I can not believe the jealousy of people who make less money than > UAW workers. They are like monkeys in a barrel when one gets near > the top the rest pull him down. Let them work the assembly line for > a while and I bet they will think they earned every penny!]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:47:06 -0500
I worked nearly a year on mandatory 12 hour shifts and 7 day workweeks.

Even with overtime I did not make 1/5th of what the line workers made. Let alone the pensions, paid time off, education and other perks.

And years later, I worked IN Big 3 plants as an outside vendor.

Getting high, drinking to excess and sleeping on the job for 7 1/2 hours a day with 6 weeks paid vacation seemed real tough.

Poor overworked car makers.


On Nov 03 11:51 PM Brick19 wrote:

> I can not believe the jealousy of people who make less money than
> UAW workers. They are like monkeys in a barrel when one gets near
> the top the rest pull him down. Let them work the assembly line for
> a while and I bet they will think they earned every penny!]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-744294 744294 I suspect that the Ford workers anticipated a return to profitability. > They know how many cars and trucks are made at there prospective > plants. Overtime and extra shifts. The timing of the vote BEFORE > earnings release. Ford management was three months too late on this > one. The union rejection believe it or not is a bullish indicator > for Ford's business prospects by labor.]]> Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:43:21 -0500
These are people that are grossly overpaid vs. skills, have better benefits and more time off than most of their customers and continuously feel that they are being screwed over by management. Just like the majority of our citizens refuse to see that their own bosses are being bankrupted and are not all "rich."

This country is quickly becoming nothing but spoiled, entitled, non-workers who think they are owed something.

The third world is beckoning us and all these people will be on the government dole until it crashes down upon us all.

On Nov 02 08:18 AM sethmcs wrote:

> I suspect that the Ford workers anticipated a return to profitability.
> They know how many cars and trucks are made at there prospective
> plants. Overtime and extra shifts. The timing of the vote BEFORE
> earnings release. Ford management was three months too late on this
> one. The union rejection believe it or not is a bullish indicator
> for Ford's business prospects by labor.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-743714 743714 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:51:46 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-743711 743711 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:47:40 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-742595 742595 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:00:21 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-742531 742531 Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:11:07 -0500
I think UAW members have taken a risky gamble with job security. I can only hope this doesn't create a further decline in the North American manufacturing base. Our economy can't sustain yet another hit. ]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-741518 741518 This market always goes up. DJIA 10,600 soon > > good articles: http://financeopinionss.blogspot.com/]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2009 20:08:11 -0500

On Nov 02 05:23 PM maketalwaysgoesup.. wrote:

> This market always goes up. DJIA 10,600 soon
>
> good articles: financeopinionss.blogs.../]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-741052 741052 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:22:46 -0500 We (Ford) aren't going to win this battle with the USA UAW. What are our options? As we move forward, how can we stay competitive and gain advantage? Well, the UAW in Canada has leveled the playing field by voting equal benefits to the GM and Chrysler contract. Let's take a closer look at the cost benefits of moving more manufacturing to Canada. We need to show the Canadian UAW and others around the world that we appreciate their vote and pleased to be in partnership. At the same time, let's also look at Mexico and other parts of the world for a lower cost structure. We need; however, a comprehensive study which would include looking at taxes, shipping, future oil prices, quality of workforce, flexibility in work practices etc. etc.
Our goal should be to design and manufacture the most appealing and best quality automobile in the world while maintaining a cost competitive product and providing enhanced shareholder value over our competition.

If this scenario played out we could see in 10 years Ford USA having token manufacturing, worldwide higher quality, and highly competitive. Short term gain for long term pain on the UAW workers part.
Our( Ford) goal should be to reduce our costs in the USA while we gain competitive advantage worldwide. We will only have a presents in the USA if we can maintain price competitiveness and the best quality in the world.

]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740905 740905 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:25:15 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740892 740892 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:19:05 -0500
Obama is not going to have a filibuster proof Senate forever. At some point, the government spigot is going to be turned off.

The UAW is once again slitting their own throats.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740797 740797 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:26:06 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740714 740714 Ford should just close on their plants in union states and move their > factories to non union states (VA, NC, SC, etc.) They should advise > the union that if they don't concede the current issue, that even > if Ford does go into bankruptcy, they will leave Detroit forever.]]> Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:35:43 -0500

On Nov 02 11:46 AM Hayweed wrote:

> Ford should just close on their plants in union states and move their
> factories to non union states (VA, NC, SC, etc.) They should advise
> the union that if they don't concede the current issue, that even
> if Ford does go into bankruptcy, they will leave Detroit forever.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740704 740704 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:30:25 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740666 740666 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 13:09:06 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740508 740508 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:14:16 -0500 See how fast a new contract with pay cuts gets made.

Instead the Leaches will be protected by Obama in exchange for votes.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740464 740464 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:49:01 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740459 740459 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:46:47 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740453 740453 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:43:00 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740442 740442 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:35:57 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740398 740398 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:18:29 -0500 The government is also a major owner because they dumped billions on them to supposedly bail them out. After all of this, the U.A.W. wants to destroy Ford as well, knowing that if push comes to shove, our government that is in the process of taking over private industry, will dump money on them and eventually the U.A.W. will be the winners again. It is obvious that our present administration is aiding and abetting the U.A.W. because of the number of votes they represent. The entire process is outrageous and should never have happened. GM and Chrysler should have been allowed to fail, declare bankruptcy, get rid of the U.A.W. and start over. They then could have become competitive with the non-union Japanese auto makers in this country and the tax payers would have saved billions.
I can assure you of this. I will never buy another vehicle that is union made, or buy from a company that is partially owned by the government.
To put this statement in a little different perspective, you should know that I am a salaried, retiree of General Motors living on what is left of a pension that I was promised when I retired.
If I loose the rest of it, so be it.]]> http://seekingalpha.com/article/170489-bailout-nation-mentality-ford-workers-reject-further-concessions?source=feed#comment-740396 740396 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:17:16 -0500 http://seekingalpha.com/article/150388-cit-execs-should-resign?source=feed#comment-740278 740278 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 10:15:45 -0500
And if found guilty in a trial by their peers, be executed.]]>