Collision Course? Foreign Auto Head Says UAW Union Will Go After Ford
- Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:41pm by
Becket Adams
- Print »
- Email »
Despite the popularity of accepting government handouts, Ford Motors has maintained its integrity by confronting the tough economy with its own resources. It’s been successful. And now that could make it a union target.
There were several tactics employed by CEO Alan Mulally to help offset the financial losses brought about by the recession. He shut down or sold losing brands like Mercury and Jaguar, maintained and improved the well-known Taurus line of cars, and he helped to introduce several successful small cars (which, with skyrocketing gas prices, were very well-timed).
Ford even resorted to mortgaging some of its most valuable assets (including the iconic blue oval symbol) to combat tough financial losses. In short, they did what any self-reliant and responsible person would do to help pay the bills.
It worked.
Ever since forging ahead on their own and without government assistance, Ford has managed to surpass both Chrysler and General Motors (both bailout recipients) in sales. In July 26, Ford announced that their revenue jumped 13 percent to $35.5 billion in the second quarter, as the number of vehicles sold globally rose 7 percent.
Ford One-Year Stock Quote
GM One-Year Stock Quote
However, this is precisely why there may be some trouble ahead for Ford.
Chrysler, GM, and Ford all have contracts with the United Auto Workers (UAW) that expire September 14 of this year.
The UAW, while forbidden to strike or make greater demands of the two Washington-influenced automakers, will most certainly go after the one successful company that has been able to fend off the worst of the recession.
Ford Motors knows a struggle with the UAW is coming and even tried to prevent it, but to no avail. Earlier this year, Ford introduced a ballot initiative that would grant them exemptions similar to those that GM and Chrysler have. The UAW rejected it. They have much bigger plans for Ford when the time comes to renegotiate their contracts.
“Ford is the most likely to get whacked, because Ford is doing the best of the three companies,” says a U.S.-based executive of a foreign automaker in a recent Fortune article. “[Ford CEO] Mulally got the fattest pay package. And don’t forget, the government saved Chrysler and GM, in part for the sake of the union, so it would be ungrateful, if not incredibly self-destructive, for UAW to put the squeeze on those two.”
The UAW recently has shrunk to a third of its size. Ford’s UAW work force alone has declined to about 41,000 from about 100,000. It is safe to assume that when union contracts go up for negotiations, the UAW will want to turn these numbers around and Ford will be the punching bag.
But there are some elements that could give Ford some leverage.
A UAW strike against Ford may prove be counterproductive to the union’s plans for Ford in the south where Volkswagen AG has recently opened factories. More than 80,000 workers applied for thousands of VW jobs in Chattanooga and recent hires are not likely to be interested in joining a union, much less one that may be going on strike. Still, the UAW negotiators must bring some increase in pay or benefits to his members– otherwise they may ask themselves why they are they paying union dues each month.
Furthermore, Ford is not backing down from its demand that the UAW ante-up and shoulder a greater share of health-care costs paid to union workers and their families. According to the automaker’s own data, UAW members only pay about 5 percent of the health care costs as compared to 30 percent that Ford’s salaried staff pays.
If the UAW agrees to help offset the cost of union worker’s insurance, Ford has promised to improve profit-sharing, which helps to incentivize and ensure product quality and workplace efficiency.
“Ford can maintain what it’s got in these negotiations, but it can’t win anything new. Even maintaining what it’s got will be a win. I’m not sure the UAW leadership is bent on a strike. If it happens, it probably will be short and symbolic,” said Aaron Bragman, an analyst for IHS Global Insight.
Bring it on.
According to most marketplace analysts, a UAW strike would be better for shareholders — especially the Ford family — than bankruptcy and recapitalization under the thumb of the U.S. Treasury Department would have been.
Ford sales continue to benefit because most consumers prefer to buy vehicles from a company that has not been tainted by Washington D.C. tinkering. Ford forged its own path and refused to cave to government bailouts and for that they should be commended. But instead of celebrating, they must prepare to fend off bureaucratic leeches while simultaneously competing with their less-successful rivals.
But then again, they are Ford tough.
Popular Stories
Does Misstated Marathon Claim Prove Paul Ryan Is Dishonest? (POLL) 676 Comments
‘Jumah at the DNC’ Speaker: ‘Muslims Visited America Prior to Columbus’ & ‘It Was a Muslim’ Who Guided Him to the ‘New World’ 527 Comments
Paper Details Obama Admin’s Alleged Secret Note Sent to Iran: If Israel Attacks, We Won’t Get Involved 398 Comments
Obama: RNC Like Watching ‘Black-and-White TV’ Because Romney ‘Did Not Offer a Single New Idea’ 371 Comments
Roseanne Barr: Most Billionaires ‘Violent Pedophiles’ & ‘Heartless’ Cocaine Addicts 328 Comments
Faith
This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 265 Comments- Pakistani Muslim Cleric Accused of Framing Disabled Christian Girl in Koran-Burning Case Read More
- ‘Made Up Religion’: TV Historian Enrages Muslims, Receives Threats After Producing UK Documentary Questioning Islam’s Beginnings 275 Comments
Meet the Controversial German Imam Accused of Brutally Beating His Wife & Pushing Sharia Law Read More
‘Self-Proclaimed Messiah’ & Unification Church Leader the Rev. Sun Myung Moon Has Died — Here’s His Life Story Read More
Business
President Obama Issues Major ‘Green Energy’ Executive Order 146 Comments- Germany’s Upcoming Court Ruling Will be Huge for the EU Read More
Ford Looks to Beat Toyota for Best-Selling Car in 2012 With This Model 147 Comments
Bernanke & QE3: Here’s What You Need to Know Read More- ‘Extortion’: Why Did the Labor Department ‘Drop the Hammer’ on Oregon Farmers? 300 Comments
Technology
- This Is the Creationists‘ Response to Scientist Bill Nye’s Viral Pro-Evolution Video Claiming They Harm Children 265 Comments
‘TaserDrone’: Hackers Weaponize Quadcopter With Actual ‘Shocking’ Technology Read More
Ever Heard of the Wild ‘Burning Man’ Festival in the Middle of the Nev. Desert? Here’s Your Primer Read More
Stanford Develops Technology ‘Better Than Steroids’ for Athlete Recovery Read More
Have You Pretended to Know What ‘the Cloud’ Is? You’re Not Alone Read More
Submitting your tip... please wait!
Comments (301)
lylejk
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:14pmLooks like they might already be preparing to battle by leaving. :)
http://old.news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110728/bs_nm/us_ford_india
Report Post »lillymckim
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:37pmMay the ghost town aka Detroit be a lesson to all
Report Post »shazam3
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:48pmIf the UAW is a part owner at GM how can it legally force a competitor for more than it’s own company gives them. I’d say Ford has em by the cajones
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:26pm.
Report Post »UAW:
“They are making a profit. Let’s kill them.”
Falsegods
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 1:18amFord made Detroit.
Report Post »The Detroit workers are on the side of Ford.
Everyone knows the unions are stealing the workers blind, they are a dirty mafia.
Vote out the unions !
Finger Follie
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:33amI am another one that bought only GM (Pontiac) until the bailout. Now if I buy a new car it will only be a Ford.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:26amCan’t decide who is ruining our country faster, Obama or the Union! Yep! Ford has been successful without the bailout and now the Unions want to take over. Ford will eventually move out of the Country like most of the other businesses. Sad state of affairs. This is why I believe in “Right to Work” states so everyone has the right to a job, not just the union thugs.
Report Post »Our Country is threatened by the Unions trying to shut down Boeing from building planes in SC. probably forcing them to build the “bus” outside of America. Boy, unions are helping US aren’t they? NOT. A lazy bunch who want guaranteed pay with little output, remember Detroit?
Partygirl
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 7:41pmVote out unions. They destroy companies and then complain. They just can’t stand to see a company do well. Employees resign from the unions. No more government motors.
Report Post »gone
Posted on August 7, 2011 at 12:12pmIt appears these vehicles will be sold overseas. Ford may as well do this to help boost their sales. As long as they aren’t sold here in the US, I don’t have a problem with this.
Report Post »It is a slap in the face to the union, and our government. I say Bravo!!
rwest
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:11pmHey Ford.
Report Post »Florida is a right to work state and most of us hard working people do not want anything to do with any union. Come on down, our Governor Scott will welcome you with open arms. Tell those union bosses and union workers to pound sand. I have been a Ford fan since I bought the second Mustang fast back i had ever seen in Jan. of 1966. I love Fords. Nothing is better. You can have your Japanese junk that is built like a Tonka toy. Give me Ford iron. I have never owned a Ford that I did not drive at least 150,000 miles. Many a lot more than that. My current Mercury Mountaineer has 109,000 miles on it and I expect to get 200,000+ miles from it.
Susan Harkins
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:24pmNothing like a good old-fashioned Communist Union to spur American Exceptionalism, hun?
Report Post »skydad
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:25pmI agree, come on south. Most of the southern states have Right to Work laws. If you do, I’ll sell my old pickup and buy a new one.
Report Post »Jaycen
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:29pmI moved away from Ford over the years, but after I found out they WEREN’T taking bailout money, I’ve become a Ford Loyalist once more.
Great job, FORD! Ford has demonstrated what the rest of the country must do.
Report Post »smithclar3nc3
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:33pmFord’s Contracts end Sept. 14th being that it’s the only Car Company that uses UA workers might give the unions reason to bargin harder being that unemployment is at record highs might give them a raeson to think twice about it. If The unions push for should push back hire only people who sign contracts not to unionize and pay good salaries with benefits line with the average packages in the private sector.
Report Post »Ford’s holding all the cards the union has none.
smartgirl
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:37pmWow, I’m impressed with Ford durability. My friend rented a Chevy when he was on business and mentioned to a friend that he was impressed. His friend said that model was a great little car for about ten thousand miles – and then they pretty much fell apart. You couldn’t GIVE me a car from Gummit Motors. As for the Volt, they sold 125 last month. Wonder if GE’s Jeff Immelt is personally committed to bringing those numbers up in time for 2012. Don’t be fooled people!
Report Post »banjarmon
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:43pmStand STRONG Ford…Keep the unions at bay.
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:45pma strike at ford should make them number one.
Report Post »Mtroom
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:45pmAlthough a good thought, and yes really nice beaches…the issue will remain…UAW is also involved in most of the supply industry too…if Ford skips out of talks all together they still will have to fend off a UAW with a stronger stance than it holds now…Ford would have to go to the table first…then move to the sandy beaches of Florida…the movie Tucker shows how strong the suppliers really are…they can shut down any of the auto makers at any time.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:48pmHey, if the contract is coming up, kick the union out. For the 25 years my dad worked for Proctor and Gamble, it was non-union and paid better wages than union-run factories. There’s no forced union participation yet, tell them no deal and kick them out.
Report Post »Doom2022
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:50pmEvery car I own is a Ford. Go Ford!
Utah is also a right to work state. Welcome Ford…
Report Post »TEXAS-T
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:51pmHey Ford,
Report Post »Come to TEXAS a RTW state where Gov. Perry will treat you well. Save FL for your well earned vacations. I drive a 02 EB Explorer with 236K had the trainy rebuilt at 227k and runs like a “Singer” and like we say here in Texas, “it”ll stick with ya”!
Stand tuff boys!
concealled9mms
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:53pmive never had a *** car or truck that didnt exceed 150,000 miles
Report Post »Simple Skeptic
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:54pmI second SkyDad’s remarks. If Ford elects to move to a right to work state in the south, I‘ll hand off my ’05 F-150 and buy a new 2012 F-150…same day. I may go so far as to throw in a new Taurus for the lady of the house.
Report Post »hifi74
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:56pmI had a ford and went GM, big mistake on my part. I’ve decided to go back, but if Ford gives in to the unions I will go elsewhere for good. GM and Chrysler are done for me, never again. So don’t mess this up Ford.
Report Post »JLGunner
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:14pmI agree, Welcome to Florida!!! I will only buy Ford from now on. Ford has shown America how things should be done. Just think where this country would be right now if all companies fallowed Ford’s lead.
Report Post »tower7femacamp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:18pmThe corporate war against unions and American workers in general has taken an awful turn, in ‘if you repeat it people will believe it is true fashion’ the stooges against us are creating more anti-union sentiment with making us think that only unionized autoworkers are making far too much money as opposed to the rest of us here in the U.S.
Alas their fear of the possible passage of the Employee Free Choice Act is making them slam the unions as hard as possible, getting catch phrases like “73 dollars an hour” to become a household phrase, but you my dear reader are much smarter than those who believe this to be true. Finally the numbers have been scrutinized and the sensationalistic numbers have been brought to our attention, the average union autoworker makes around $28 an hour as of 2007 and the new contract signed in early 2008 will limit the top wage of many non-core new hires to roughly $14 an hour with a lower degree of benefit costs also. That’s a whole lot less than what a Toyota worker makes here in the US, but it was done to create American jobs.
The average UAW autoworker at the ‘Big 3′ makes roughly a little less than $60,000 a year and the average non-union autoworker in the U.S. makes roughly $52,000 and considering that most of the nonunion plants are in lower cost of living areas, I would say that both are quite competitive with one another. Basically no one is getting rich who is a general worker at any U.S. auto manufacturing plant. The an
Report Post »Marci
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:21pmSo they bled GM and Chrysler dry, they have to go after the only one still making money. Union (leaders) will stop at nothing to get what they want at the expense of every worker. Yes, some of those union members are also the same type of thinkers, but many of them are NOT. Say NO Ford, let’s remind them what capitalism does. (keeps companies IN business)
Report Post »mikem1969
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:26pmMessage to Ford, move all your manufacturing plants, offices, to RIGHT TO WORK STATES AND SLAP THOSE UNION THUGS IN THE FACE. Time to ante up for AMERICA.
Report Post »BCNU
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:29pmThe very FIRST “worker” organizing/unification (labor union) was the BOLSHEVIK party.
Report Post »scarebear83
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:58pmMy Family has always been a Ford family especially amongst a sea of Chevy lovers. I’m still proud we would rather have Fords (despite having a couple of vehicles that aren’t Fords… hey, desperate times calls for a cheap vehicle that works for now).
Report Post »jasonsyd2
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:17pmYes!!!
Report Post »gotta light
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:45pmGod help Ford stockholders because the Union isn’t.
Hey bud gotta light?
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:13pmGosh how unsual…the unions going after a more successful competitor so that EVERYONE can share in the misery the unions create.
Report Post »MichaelT
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:57pmRWEST….Do you really think that the National Labor Relations Board would allow Ford to move to a Right To Work state? Look what they are trying to do to Boeing.
Report Post »Asmodeus13
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:03pmI’d like to add that Arizona is a right to work state too. Hint, Hint,
Report Post »greenlee
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:19pmFord… this person is right, come to the Sunshine State… screw the damn unions.
Report Post »Dont-hate-on-me-2
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:20pmI’ll tell you what. my next car/truck/SUVEEE will be a FORD. Not just because its made in the U.S.A. but because they held strong during our goverment created reccesion. All those backs that gfaultered shouldnt have been bailed out they should have been bought up by healthy company’s. And yes thier were plenty of healthy companys out there.
Report Post »jblovesAmerica
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:13pmmove the entire Ford product line to Mexico.
Report Post »done!!!!!
semihardrock
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:55pmDONT WORRY, The Unions already have thier eye on Indian Reservations and Casinos where there is NO State or too many Federal Regulations…….TRUST ME!
No place better to hide than in a Soverign Nation!
Report Post »getalong
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 8:09pmThe unions will try to do to Ford what they did to Toyota. I love my Ford!!!!
Report Post »ireport uderide
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 11:10amMr. Mulally
Let me first thank you for helping my kids pay for their college costs. I bought F at $2.75. I’ve been selling off shares at over $12.00 to pay for college. LMAO, all the way to the bank.
Second, you should take the advice of some of the other posts I’ve read here. RTW states may be the only option against unreasonable contract demands.
Unions are sometimes their own worst enemy. I should know I belong to one.
WARNING!!
Report Post »Don’t even think of moving Ford to Washington State. The Democrats have totally screwed up the business climate here. What do you expect from 30+ years of cheating to win? But you already know that.
TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:33pmWe’ll take another ford plant in Tulsa, Ok. RIGHT TO WORK state we are, and we are working on punishing the democrats and unions who are against repealing the income tax.
Report Post »gillfish
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:09pmi wish ford would just completely relocate to a right to work state pay its workers a good salary and send the uaw packing these commie bloodsuckers are the destruction of all that is good and they don’t even recognize what they have become, pure evil. I was in the union for 36 years and i witnessed first hand how the completely worthless emps. cannot be fired and what it does is create a why should i work hard they don’t attitude they create a just pay me class with no pride in themselves or their job.
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:54pmdoes the word boeing sound familiar to you obammas nlrb would not let that happen
Report Post »zigzag
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:30pmI‘ve been a loyal GM fan all my life but once they became Govt’ Motors, I am a proud Ford owner and haven’t looked back. I stand with Ford!
Report Post »NHwinter
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:39pmFire them all and move to a right to work state. Oh wait, the unions will sue you for doing that with the approval of Obama.
Report Post »Teleologicus
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:09pmOriginally necessary, the union movement is a victim of its own success. It has all but killed the goose that laid the golden egg by inflating wages and benefits and protecting unproductive workers. This, along with ever-increasing and intrusive government regulation, is a principal reason jobs have gone overseas. Union demands are not realistic in the global economy. Neither are overly zealous and onerous Federal regulations. These things are so obvious that one has to assume those who appear not to see them are engaged in willful denial.
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 9:51amAgreed. Union‘s are unrealistic in today’s problems. Take a good look at our Union schools and how many pathetic teachers can’t be fired and continue to teach our children between crap & nothing. If I had young children they would go to private schools or charter schools.
Report Post »My first car was a ford and I loved it. Have never, nor would I ever buy any chevy. I checked out the Chevy Cruze, but the saleswoman had such horrid perfume on I couldn’t stand to sit in the same car with her, nor even be near her, even outside, so I left. Didn’t really want a chevy, but was willing to check this one out. I was saved by the perfume! (when will people learn not to bathe in perfumes?) Cost her my reckless, momentary weakness to buy a chevy. Saved by the bell (perfume)
TulsaYeeHaw
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 12:40pmYou know, I don’t buy that anymore. The progressives have outright lied about so much else in history books, why wouldn’t they lie about the conditions that made unions necessary?
Report Post »getalong
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 10:17pm600 new federal business regulations scheduled to go into effect this month. Just shows you that this administration is trying their best to destroy our free market with the help of the unions!
Report Post »Banter
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:08pmWatch your six Mr. Mulally, you may wake up with a horse’s head in your bed and a note attached from Obama. Go Ford!
Palin 2012
Report Post »Marrabella
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:07pmI just read David Bego’s book “ The Devil at my Doorstep”. Mr. Bego ran a mid-sized company in the mid west. Never mind that he paid higher than average wages and benefits. SEIU wanted his company unionized. The employees were very happy without a union. The trouble SEIU caused this fine company was sickening. All the union wanted was money and power. They could have cared less what was good for the worker. It cost Bego millions to defend himself against the lies and downright evil brought about by SEIU.
Report Post »Everyone should read this book.
hauschild
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:06pmYou see what happens when you give in? It does nothing but create nearly insurmountable troubles down the line, which the Big Three have painfully learned, and two of them decided to sleep with the enemy.
This should be a clear answer on never compromising.
Report Post »bandi9
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:04pmi bought a used ford tk for the first time in my life(an ex-GM loyalist. couldnt be happier.
Report Post »take it back
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:02pmI hope Ford will close all of the union plants, fire all of the union workers, and open in a state where people who want to work will gladly accept take the jobs offered. Ultimately Ford will see a better product to sell to its customers and will have workers who partner with them and have good attitudes.
Report Post »70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:02pmTime to MOOOOOVE!! Texas, Ark, OK. or one of the other patriotic states.
Report Post »70S_KIDS_FIGHTING_SOCIALISM
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:10pmNo unions would mean better safer cars.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:37pmDon’t come to Missouri. The people here can’t drive. if you can’t drive it, you can’t build it. The biggest killer here is a tree.
Report Post »SlimnRanger
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:37pmI totally agree,I pray i can buy another ford truck,,my last one had 230,000 on it when i sold it and as far as i know it’s still being driven,never again will i go back to General Motors
Report Post »LadyIzShy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:01pmthey have to go after Ford its the ONLY one that didnt get bailed out and isnt owned by the unions and the government
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:00pmif i was on the board i would suggest selling the company to a very very very trustworthy friend. that friend would then close the company for 1 day
then i would reopen the company under new management and demand all employees re apply accept no union workers its your company, you can hire anybody you want
i would post signs stating union shop is across the street at gm buh bye
with so many people looking for work, they would only be understaffed for a few days, which actually would be agood thing as it would give the company much needed retooling time
the sooner unions get the axe, the better off everyone would be well, other than the union leaders and democrats that is
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:05pmWouldn’t it be grand if all companies had the balls to do something like that.
Report Post »Deckle
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:59pmFight the unions. I will always buy Ford if you fight this nonsense and keep up what you are doing. I loved my Taurus and love my Edge!
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:50pmLove my Mustang!
Report Post »ruffnex
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 6:55pmLove my little red Focus!!!!!
Report Post »nostromo
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:55pmLike everything, unions had their time. That time is over. Higher quality cars are being made down South without union labor and those making the cars and SUVs resist union organizing attempts. Just why would they do that if being a UAW member was such a great deal for them? If the UAW strikes Ford, America’s last truly profitable car company, it will just make people more sympathetic to Ford. Unions have lost the public relations battle for the hearts of Americans with Trumka, SEIU, and the UAW having shown their true colors.
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:09pmThey keep trying to get unions in the south, thankfully most are right to work states with very little union power/influence. This is why they are so determined to get card check passed. It scares me that if they don’t get card check passed, they will do like they did before, and just march down and try to take our hard earned wealth and burn/destroy anything they can’t take back with them.
Report Post »Foosa of Galakrond
Posted on August 6, 2011 at 3:25amCome to Utah, a right to work state that passed a state constitutional amendment last year declaring ALL ballots SECRET. NO CARD CHECK IN UTAH!!
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:55pmHow about a reverse strike against these union thugs?
Report Post »Don’t buy anything union made.
The union workers might not be too happy…but after a while they might realize being non-union isn’t that bad a thing.
Psychosis
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:01pmi try to NOT buy anything union made
Report Post »Jack2011
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:03pmDon’t buy anything union made.
Report Post »______
Excellent idea!
rwest
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:15pmI had never thought of that. I will do it and at the same time not buy anything made in China or Hong Kong. Time to rebuild America.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:16pmNo pride in union made stuff, look at Chrysler, great design, poor execution. I guess that report with the Chrysler workers snorting, smoking and drinking at the union hall on lunch break tells it all.
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:19pmRWEST:
Report Post »The China/Taiwan idea has been circulating for a while…but it is a great idea that should be promoted everywhere.
Thanks for bringing it up.
It could make a difference…
SoonRx
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:34pmThe unions don‘t care if you don’t buy their products as long as their members still get paid for making them. But I do have a question, it’s been bugging me a while, why should I care that a private company makes an agreement with a union when I have the choice over whether I will buy it or not? To me the public unions are much more damaging because I have no say in the quality of the product ie education, roads, bridges etc.
Report Post »13th Imam
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:53pmHenry , time to pack up all your production plants, move to non union South Carolina and flip the bird to these unionista’s.
Report Post »skydad
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:33pmIf they tried to do that, the Feds would probably step in and do what they are trying to do to Boeing, who wants to move a lot of its manufacturing to the Carolinas.
Report Post »HMNSC
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 2:26pmMy thoughts exactly. We would more than welcome you in SC.
Report Post »Pattondog
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:52pmI have had 1 ford car and 2 ford trucks and when able to get a newer truck or vehicle , (gas $) it will most certainly be a ford again. Primarly based upon quality and life span, but inclusive is the culture of not sucking on the govts teet and remaining succesful and beating the competition of government motors, unless it was free would be the only way i would purchase anything remotely associated with gm.
Report Post »bankerpapaw
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:52pmWell, well, well. Here go the union thugs after a successful company. Mr. Mulally, I wish you all the
Report Post »luck dealing with these thugs. Shut down the union plants and come on down to the South. We will
greatly appreciate the jobs. We want nothing to do with union jobs. We don’t want union dues taken
out of our paychecks to help support communists.
kentuckypatriot
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:05pmSounds like a novel idea, however, remember what the union thugs are doing to Boeing in South Carolina.
Report Post »Fun_jumper
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:51pmBe nice to see move all it’s production plants to right to work states and then close the less productive and more costly union plants in the north. It is time for the Unions to go away in this country, they are a particular reason jobs are moving overseas and the US has a harder time competing
Report Post »2gether
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:08pmThey cannot do that. That issue is facing Boeing right now. They built a plant in SC and already hired over 1000 workers when the union sued and went to the NLRB. Union claims that Boeing is moving to punish the workers in another state because they had threatened to strike. This of course is not true. They did go to a right to work state because it was cheaper for them. They did not fire any employees from the other plant and Boeing is still bargainning with the union. Unfortunately the NLRB is a big political cog and turns according to whom ever is in control. Right now it happens to be democratic activist. The government and the NLRB are in essence telling a company whjere they can and cannot open a factory. It will be pathetic if the judge rules in favor of the union. Sound familiar? (ATLAS SHRUGGED?)
Report Post »shazam3
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 9:03pmIf the Gov won’t comply with court orders issued to them why should Boeing? If they want to move to SC they should have the right. The NLRB along with the EPA needs to go away, plus who gave them any power anyway.
Report Post »maxedout
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:50pmWell, to my way of thinkin,’ if the UAW goes on strike…..fire all their worthless, ungrateful asses and hire people who would actually appreciate just having a job. A very lucrative job at that.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:49pmUAW, be careful what you ask for. You just may get it. Hello, China…..want a Ford Factory? How many jobs….well maybe 2 to 3,000. Take that UAW! Union members you had better watch out.
Report Post »nysparkie
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:53pmMight as well make them where there is employment so people can afford them.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:48pmPlease Ford Management….if this actually comes to light shut down “all” of your plants in the US and build in other countries….It just makes since. The union’s will never be satisfied.
Report Post »YellowFin
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:10pmI hate unions.
Report Post »I once was a union member, then I started my own company which remained union free. Best thing I ever did in the business world. Unions are nothing but extortion rackets.
bumpside
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:47pmUnions are evil
Report Post »cessna152
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:51pmRemember, despite what the MSM tells you… HITLER SUPPORTED UNIONS! Just sayin’
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 3:29pm“First they came for the communists,
and I didn‘t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists,
and I didn‘t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn‘t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak out for me.”
Know that famous poem? Note the second paragraph.
Hitler wasn’t exactly a… fan of Unions. In fact, he closed them, took their money, put their leaders in prison and forbade workers from striking. Stop trying to rewrite history.
(Now calling it: “Well, that Hitler guy may have had a few good ideas!”)
Report Post »Psychosis
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 4:16pm@ arabin
that isnt exactly true
he did shut down unions , but you forgot to specify which unions he closed down …………..the ones that didnt support him
he was big on unions , as long as they toed his line
but we know where you get your information from , so it is to be expected
Report Post »Erabin
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 5:51pm@Phimosis (See? I can be an idiot with names too!)
Hitler began suppressing the trade unions (along with Communists and Social Democrats) in Feb of 1933 as part of his rise to power. They would attack and ransack offices, steal equipment, beat up and imprison members(usually those in leadership roles) .
Towards May of ‘33 the trade unions began to distance themselves from the Social Democrats to preserve themselves as an entity but on May 2nd the brownshirts and SS men occupied every trade union office affiliated with the Social Democrats, took control of the newspapers and periodicals of the trade unions and seized their banks.
Trade union officials in leadership roles were either sent to concentration camps or killed outright.
The Nazi’s effectively destroyed any power the trade unions had and subjugated it for their own
Source- The Coming of the Third Reich by Richard J. Evans
The “Unions” under Hitler weren’t really Unions anymore because they had none of the aspects of Unions (the free association of workers, ability to strike etc). My source isn’t approved by the Tea Party Propaganda Ministry (or TPPM for short), so I hope you accept it.
Report Post »Bluefish49
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:46pmStop the madness…Marco Rubio in 2012.
Report Post »Lesterp
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 12:44pmFord should just close their doors and open later as Ford Motor Cars and eliminate the unions.
Report Post »concealled9mms
Posted on August 5, 2011 at 1:55pmremember adolph obammas nlrb wont let them do that
Report Post »