Chris Butler_

Autoworkers' Pay Only Small Factor in Detroit's Problems

Hey New Chrysler Retiree-

Sorry to hear about your rough life. I really am. And I had no idea just how much you were sacrificing to make our automaotive industry competeive. Thanks for that.

But you misunderstand the crux of the argument - rational thinking people don't think you've got it easy. We just think that your compensation structure contributed to the Big 3's inability to compete with other auto companies enough to have avoided the need to come before the taxpayer with your beggars bowl in hand.

I don't fault the UAW for their existence. They've done great things for some of the exact reasons you point to. But they've gone too far. Your job is safer today in large part due to the efforts of the UAW. Unfortunately, they've now cost you a chunk of your retirement. They may have cost us all an entire once-proud industry.

Finally, the evils of making cars, so clearly articulated in your post are present in many industries. Carpal tunnel? Are you serious? Talk to secretaries. They ain't making $73 per hour but have the same condition. Exposure to dangerous chemicals? That's what firemen do. They ain't making $73 per hour. Hard physical labor? Talk to anybody on a construction site. Do they make $73 an hour? The point is, you are not unique in what you endure but you've been compensated more than others exposed to the same hardships. The only difference is now you want me to (a) make you a loan that would be the riskiest asset in my portfolio, or (b) just give you money because "you've had it rough" or (c) just give you money because you're "so important" to the economy.

Sorry. Restructure your costs and we'll talk. Or, perhaps we should save every industry under duress, that have had "hardships" or were at one time or another "very important to the economy." That's repugnant to most people, me especially. I'll save the details about how life dealt me tough hand for a future post that promises to be every bit as whiny as this thread.

Autoworkers' Pay Only Small Factor in Detroit's Problems

There are a whole lot of people posting here that are sticking up for "the working man." Apparently, auto workers in the US are only slightly better off than slave labor in African diamond mines. My mistake. The only difference between the two, I guess, is I ought to get down on my knees and thank the good Lord above every night that the UAW is helping keep America great! If only the UAW could solve that pesky African slave labor issue. And while they're at it, they ought to look into running our banking system and save those poor tellers from exploitation by "the man." By this time next year, and you heard it here first, Ron Gettelfinger will be our Federal Reserve chairman. Prosperity at last!