fcountry

Someone Other than the Government Should Step Up to Restructure GM

Just more BS from someone who "hasn't a CLUE".
With "Seeking Alpha"...talk is cheap...

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Tomcat,

As I said earlier...PLEASE buy what you are comfortable with...you should be a satisfied buyer....after all...it is YOUR money..
I was just giving you some FACTS that most of the public doesn't know.
Digest it as you will...but everything that I have given you are FACTS.....PURE FACTS.
There are some truck buyers that "SWEAR by GMC" ...there are others that "SWEAR BY CHEVY"....shit they are the EXACT SAME except for trim and plastic...the running gears are the same...the engines are the same, frames,hydraulics, computers, engines, trannys, radios EVERY THING is the same ...(except for trim and plastic.)

Now you HAVE to admit that the new CAMARO...is "KICK ASS"...I personally LOVE IT...(but that is me)...we all have our OWN taste.

As for the '57 Chevy...probably not gonna happen... too bulky.

Peace,

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Tomcat,

I suggest that you look at the technology that goes into GM products.

The airflow meters are Hitachi..Japanese...(BEST around)
The anti braking system and fuel injectors are Bosch...German (BEST around)

As I said ALL the Car companies have been trading technology ...processes...design.... years

If I had time...I would go into the design engineer teams....it would blow your mind. Dig and see if you can see "who all designs for who."

Dig deep...it would probably change your mind about ill feelings towards American products.

But I an sure that if you really wanted to know...then you would go and look....

I can't change your mind...wouldn't even try.

This "Anti GM" is a sham....(for the people who know) what is the reasoning?...I really don't know. I am just an observer. Just trying to "weather out the storm".

Peace,

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Tomcat,

Thank you for your concern...but I am not "laid off".... I am a retired GM employee.
I am just concerned about the WHOLE industry and the "working middle class" who seem to have taken the brunt of "EVERYONE ELSE'S decisions.
It seems to me that people want to blame US for EVERYTHING...Hell we are just assemblers..

As for :
American workers are, for the most part, lazy and more concerned about when their next break will be or what they can squeeze out of a Workers Comp. claim than they are about making a quality product.

I personally think that was TOTALLY uncalled for....I don't know where you are from...(doesn't really matter) BUT.. the people who build vehicles here in Arlington, Texas are very conscious about building the BEST product that we can build...that is just the way that we are in the South.

If you truly feel that way about American cars...then I suggest that you BE HAPPY with foreign vehicles....after all it is your money and you deserve to be a satisfied customer.

But you must realize that the "Foreign Auto workers" and the "American Auto workers" are no different....they come to our plants and look at our build processes and we go to their plants and observe their build processes. Are you surprised? Well it is the truth.
Believe it or not have you ever heard of NUMMI? (Probably not...you would have to work at either Toyota or GM to know that) It is a plant in Fremont, California...It is a JOINT venture between GM and Toyota....They produce BOTH Toyotas and Chevys out of the SAME plant...Shocked? Check it out. You will find that I am telling you the EXACT TRUTH.

Google it..or here is their website to make it even easier for you..

<nummi.com>;
45500 Fremont Blvd
Freemont, CA 94538
[phone]

I just thought that I would hold back that little tidbit and let everyone have their "say" before I educated the masses that we have been working "hand in hand" for YEARS.

Sincerely,

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Tomcat,

Again, I apologize to you for my "outbreak of temper"...It was TOTALLY uncalled for...

I have no fight with you....I am just trying to survive this whole mess..as my family is wondering "What's going to happen?"
I have no answers...I hope that you are never in our shoes.

Sincerely,

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Tomcat,

First of all I must apologize for my outburst....that is really not like me.

Which vehicles might that be?

GM has come up with some "World Class vehicles" they have been in "Car of the Year" many times in the past years.

The cars of which you speak are ...which ones????

It is true that GM... and ALL manufactures have had "flops"...to which one are you referring to?

Again, I apologize for my "outbreak"....it is so unbecoming of me.


On May 11 09:23 PM Tomcat101 wrote:

> Fcountry,
>
> How about you build a car that doesn't fizzle and fart and fall apart...

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

To all,
I must admit that I had MOST of my 401K in GM...not only was I an employee, I am also shareholder. (I believed THAT MUCH in the company that I have worked for the past 31 years) ..I have lost a HUGE amount of my 401K...(over 6 figures) I am not whining...that was my decision.
Maybe now you can see just why I don't want to lose any more...I have put my WHOLE life into this company...not only as an employee but also as an investor.
If we lose our retirement and benefits...then my whole life has been for naught....(a VERY sad position to be in)....I know MANY others who are in the same position.So your "so called bondholders" are NOT alone.
Believe me...these are the ones that you are hearing the most from.

We are just trying to survive and take care of our families...No more that the rest of you....

So PLEASE before you condemn the Autoworker...try walking in OUR shoes.

That is why I have taken so much offense to "The Union should give up more"....hell...I don't have much more to "give up"...they have my lowered myretirement...my 401 is just about gone...my experience...my medical all in the "balance"...How much more can I give up?

You really don't want to be in our shoes at this point and time

Just a thought....

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

MDR,

Thank you for the civil response....

I must admit that the Job Bank was rather excessive...but that is now HISTORY....actually the people that were in the Job Bank have attritioned into the slots where people have retired...thus cutting excess workers.
BUT you must realize that if a person was actually "fired" then they receive no benefits what so ever......If you screw up...you are "out the door"...Period! No unemployment..nothing.
If you are "laid off" due to excess products because of "retooling for future products or supply and demand issues"...(that is beyond the scope of the employees control)... then and only then do they draw state unemployment (which any worker would, in any profession would)..basically a "Temporary Layoff"....not only that but SUB would come into play .
Now stop and think....the Automotive Industry can be a VERY volatile market....(as you are seeing now)..."Sometimes it is Chickens sometimes it is Feathers".
That is why both GM and the UAW felt it necessary for SUB (Supplemental Unemployment Benefits)....they didn't want their experienced workers to leave the Industry during the down times.

How would you as an employer have to shut you plant down for a 6 to 8 week shutdown (due to retooling...or because to "supply and demand issues") ONLY to find that half of your workforce went and found other jobs?....You couldn't restart your plant...(how would you retrain your workforce)....you would sink.
This is the reason for SUB

I hope that I have enlightened you on some of the reasoning that this has come to be.

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Here we go again...

MDR,

Obviously you have never had to work in an Auto factory...good for you. There are many of us that did...I have no complaints...it was a job and my livelihood that has provided for my family.
My wife used to work for Delta Airlines (before they went into BK)..but she was furloughed....BUT my point being...when she told me that Delta was trying to go "Union"...I advised her against it...
You know why...(and I am a union person)....the reason WHY...was because of the fact that Delta took VERY GOOD care of their employees, treated them with respect plus Salary and Hourly worked "hand in hand". (That is all that one can ask for in business relationships.)
Well that has NOT been the case in the Automotive industry....we had to FIGHT for Health and Safety in our lives....that was the reason for the need for Medical benefits...

As for retirement benefits...Do YOU have a retirement plan? Do you have a 401K?

GM quit matching our 410K YEARS ago.

Do you have Medical benefits?

Once we retire....we LOSE most of our Medical Benefits.

Have we really asked for much of EXCESS..."if so" then then just exactly do you feel that we have asked for that "Broke GM"?

I am simply asking for the reasoning behind your comments.


On May 11 03:04 PM MDR wrote:

> Unions should be illegal, they are SOLELY to blame for the fall of
> the auto industry and should be held accountable.

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Lightway,

VERY well said...I agree with you 1000%

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Dividendgrowthinvestor,

How do you figure that Troy is 100% correct?...his numbers aren't realistic, factual nor truthful.
As for the pro-union people...I think that they make a extremely good points....

WHAT IF...Any of the other dentists were to make these comments to their patients? Do you think that they would have very many "return patients"? (You are actually not describing Autoworkers but the whole middle class as a whole.)

With lower wages and Without dental insurance...how many will be making regular dental visits if they can't afford such high expenses?

This also extends into the Medical field also.

I believe any intelligent person can understand that.


On May 11 01:02 PM dividendgrowthinvestor wrote:

> Forget the specific numbers.The author is 100% correct on here and
> ANY fair minded person agrees

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

On May 10 09:12 PM MyPerspective wrote:

> Wow it seems that all you union folks can do is resort to personal
> attacks and name-calling. The dentist is entitled to his opinion,
> and if you disagree with him make your argument intelligently instead
> of having a fit. You are only contributing to the negative perception
> that people have of you.
>
> Listening to your posts it is as though you think you work harder
> and have it rougher than anyone else. Well, you don't. Lots of folks
> have worked overtime, long hours and holidays. Lots of folks have
> come home from work bone tired after a hard day or a hard week. The
> only difference is that you guys have a bloated pay and benefit scale
> that is not in line with your education level or your skills. Well,
> your glass house has been shattered and now you will just have to
> adjust. And you should not expect any sympathy from the rest of us...welcome
> to the REAL WORLD.

**********************...

My perspective,

You have EVERY right to your opinion...I hope that my posts have not offended anyone...that was never my intent.I was simply stating the TRUTH about what has transpired over the past 30 years that I have lived the Automakers life.
As to me bringing up the extremely high costs of health care...well my friend it is an ABSOLUTE Truth...just ask ANY American in ANY field of endeavor.
People paying $200.00...300.00...$40... per MONTH to to pay for "Health INSURANCE" is completely ludicrous (whether is is used or not).
Now for Months we have heard from the "Seeking Alpha Team" how we are so overpaid...and quite frankly, I am rather tired of it.
BUT...once the scenario is "turned around and we start looking at the realities of the situation....you cry "foul". I find that rather interesting.....also amusing.
Stop and think about this....the human body hasn't changed..in THOUSANDS of years...and Yes Dr.s and Dentists have to go to school to learn about them...but the body hasn't really changed much and MD's still treat symptoms like they have for years.
We have some VERY fine Dr.s here in the States and I applaud each and every one of them that took the time to learn their profession....but don't you think that is is rather unusual that the US Dr.s are paid more than in any other country in the whole world?
AS for Auto builders....vehicles change every few years...they have to learn new technologies ...new processes....new body parts...new communication and electrical systems...new hydraulic and emission systems.
So as for you comment about our education level....I take a very personal.
You may claim that the Dr.s do it out of compassion...if that is the case I am sure that the whole "Profession" would be willing to work for a Socialized Medicine Program...for the good of the people...(with a hefty cut in pay)......After all that is exactly what you are asking us to do.
Obama stated that one of his goals is to get the price of Health Care down to an affordable for all Americans....so guess what...your next....welcome to the REAL World.
But that's ok, because I am quite sure that a person of your Education Level will be more than glad to "pitch in" and do your part.

Respectfully,

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

In a respectful way (as best that I can) I have a question for the WHOLE "Seeking Alpha Team".

Why are you all so "dead set" against the American Auto workers?..

Go back and read your articles..

WE have worked hard all our lives...we have put the American people first...knowing that if we didn't produce "Quality Vehicles" that we would be proud to drive ourselves, that the American Buyers would go else where.. It was/is our livelihood.
We had NO decision as to what GM designed...
From "startup" in assembling new products to "determining and correcting" flaws...we were there 100%.

So just why in the world does the critical people at Seeking Alpha want to "drive US to ruin"?

It is very easy to just sit behind a desk , "spew" disinformation and and be critical of things that they really have no idea what they are talking about.

What has happened to honest, intellectual and informative reporting? It sure seems to be lacking here.

Enough of my rant...I am taking my Mother out to dinner...
Have a Happy Mothers Day...treat you Mom well...she is the only one that you will ever have. If it wasn't for Her where would YOU be?

FC

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

On May 10 02:19 PM Troy Racki wrote:

> Valid arguements have been made by comments above. Feel free to consider the following..

> Occupational hazards include: "Infections due to the exposure to
> blood, body fluids or tissue specimens possibly leading to blood-borne
> diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C."
>
> HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C are all lethal. Hepatitis B is
> the only of these three with a vaccine.
>
> (www-ilo-mirror.cornell...)

Are you saying that Industrial Accidents aren't lethal ? I have seen coworkers literally DIE due to heart attacks "on the job" at less than 50 years of age...peoples fingers get cut off, plus the long term injuries due to the nature of the beast. Believe me, by the time that you have accumulated enough years to retire....most of your body and energy is all used up.
The average number of monthly checks drawn by retired GM "Blue
Collar" workers is...17. That is 17 Monthly checks before they die.
Check your facts.

At least washing you hands and wearing rubber gloves and masks will protect YOU...
( Obama said so last week )
************
> "Laid-off blue-collar workers would still get most of their pay because their United Auto Workers union contract requires the company to make up much of the difference between state unemployment benefits and their wages.

First of all the workers HAVE to be eligible for State Unemployment benefits ...then sub will kick in ...Now SUB is a purchased "INSURANCE" policy that has already been paid for...neither GM or The UAW pays the money.

**********************...

> GM also will pay salaried workers 75 percent of their pay if they
> are furloughed under a new company policy. In the past, white-collar workers reported for duty even if their plants were closed, spokesman
> Tom Wilkinson said."
>
> www.seattlepi.com/busi...

No SIR...The JOB Bank has been ELIMINATED for the Blue Collar workers....It is NOW in effect for the White collar people who will be asked to take time off at reduced pay....The COMPANY will be paying the White Collar people.

**********************...

Now Troy...I have a question for you.

Why is it that when I get a cold or upper respiratory problem ...say in Taiwan...I can go to the Dr. there in Taipei...he will see me,check me out...prescribe the medicine...PLUS FILL the meds there in his office and the WHOLE cost is about $20.00 USD

Taiwan has very FINE Doctors...VERY well educated.

Yet when I go to an M.D. HERE in the States...it costs me about $100.00USD (because of my LOUSY GM retirement benefits) just to be seen...plus they turn in paperwork to the insurance company. ..and then I have to go get my prescription filled somewhere else where I will have to pay between $10.00- $60.00 (depending on what my LOUSY GM Retirement benefits will pay for.)
Now mind you that scenerio was just for a "cold".

With clinics that just "rent" their "Temporary Dr.s"
Surgeries and "Specialists run MUCH higher"...try walking into a "Specialist Office"....just to say Hello is $150.00 - $200.00

Can you please explain the HUGE difference or even the "Ridiculous COSTS" for a simple cold.....where WE are the ones that tell the Dr. what is wrong with us...I even tell him what medicine that take.

Can you answer that simple question?

UAW: It Should Be Giving Up More

Troy,

On another note....you complain about benefits..I find this very ODD coming from you.

Just WHY did the Union have to negotiate health benefits in the FIRST place?...What is the most common item that is considered a "benefit" when looking at perspective jobs? Health care benefits...

WHY? That is pretty "self explanatory" now isn't it?...

It is because of the exorbitant fees and charges made by your cohorts. If your prices were lower then we wouldn't need Medical, Dental or Vision coverage now would we?

So to solve your delimma about other workers needing "benefits" to cover the large bills:
I am sure that your profession and your other (so called)" "Professional" friends will be more than glad to LOWER the price of Office visits, Exams, X-rays, Surgeries etc. RIGHT??? Yeah Right.

I find it also very strange...that on a recent trip to the hospital I read a sign stating" If you pay for surgery in cash,instead of going through your insurance... it would be a 50% REDUCTION in costs."

So now I guess that given (YOUR) logic...we can blame the Auto workers plight on the Medical Field and Insurance companies themselves for charging such EXORBITANT fees. Right?

Then should we go to Gov't Medical where you will get set fees...(MUCH) lower than what you are getting now.

For the good of the PEOPLE (and not the Doctors) mabey that is what America needs to do.