I have been talking about the lack of jobs in Michigan and what can be done about that. I have also been talking about the “new” middle class that needs to emerge not based on factory floor employment but on a “knowledge” or “talent” basis, so it was interesting to read an article in the Detroit News titled “Unions take a different approach to film industry” by Nathan Hurst.
As you know, Michigan is very tax friendly to companies shooting films in the state. Since we have offered these generous tax incentives, hundreds of films have been and are being, shot in our state creating opportunities for many residents to either work on the movie or provide whatever the crew needs (food, hotel space, etc.).
In fact, the promise of future moviemaking in Michigan has spawned a bunch on new business projects from studio building to filmmaking education and training.
BUT what struck me in the article was a description of a meeting being held in Allen Park, MI (future home of UNITY STUDIOS) at the LIFTON INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA SKILLS where the director was describing the potential jobs that would be made available by this new Michigan industry. As soon as he said that these jobs would not be 9-5, 30 and out career jobs, many attending the meeting walked right out.
As I mentioned before, the UAW union has spoiled Michiganians into expecting the usual auto worker benefits and rules but I also said that THOSE JOBS ARE GONE FOREVER AND WILL NEVER RETURN SO FORGET ABOUT IT.
When the speaker also mentioned that yes, workers are unionized but work hours would not be guaranteed and seniority did not count for anything, quality of work did – more people walked out.
Michigan has a BAD union reputation and that is why auto manufacturers coming into the country are looking everywhere BUT Michigan. In fact, even many non-auto manufacturers are also looking elsewhere especially at states that have “Right- to- Work” laws because of the past history of Michigan unions. Many are calling for Michigan to become a right-to-work state.
The people walking out of the meeting describing what workers should expect to see in the “new” work environment shows us that we have a long way to go just to change the ingrained attitude that union workers can “demand” more and more benefits without having to show that the quality of their work is adequate or even improved, hence deserving a raise?
The attitude that the longer you are at a workplace gives you some kind of security irregardless of the quality of your work, has to go and that will be hard for these workers raised on the principal of seniority to accept – but that is the new reality.
I see no problem with younger workers, educated workers, etc. getting used to the new work ethic but I don’t see the older workers, the former auto workers, accepting it quietly and easily but on the other hand, I don’t see that they have another choice.
If Michigan is to survive and prosper, it MUST change the way it operates and the way its workers think; listen and learn.
As you know, Michigan is very tax friendly to companies shooting films in the state. Since we have offered these generous tax incentives, hundreds of films have been and are being, shot in our state creating opportunities for many residents to either work on the movie or provide whatever the crew needs (food, hotel space, etc.).
In fact, the promise of future moviemaking in Michigan has spawned a bunch on new business projects from studio building to filmmaking education and training.
BUT what struck me in the article was a description of a meeting being held in Allen Park, MI (future home of UNITY STUDIOS) at the LIFTON INSTITUTE FOR MEDIA SKILLS where the director was describing the potential jobs that would be made available by this new Michigan industry. As soon as he said that these jobs would not be 9-5, 30 and out career jobs, many attending the meeting walked right out.
As I mentioned before, the UAW union has spoiled Michiganians into expecting the usual auto worker benefits and rules but I also said that THOSE JOBS ARE GONE FOREVER AND WILL NEVER RETURN SO FORGET ABOUT IT.
When the speaker also mentioned that yes, workers are unionized but work hours would not be guaranteed and seniority did not count for anything, quality of work did – more people walked out.
Michigan has a BAD union reputation and that is why auto manufacturers coming into the country are looking everywhere BUT Michigan. In fact, even many non-auto manufacturers are also looking elsewhere especially at states that have “Right- to- Work” laws because of the past history of Michigan unions. Many are calling for Michigan to become a right-to-work state.
The people walking out of the meeting describing what workers should expect to see in the “new” work environment shows us that we have a long way to go just to change the ingrained attitude that union workers can “demand” more and more benefits without having to show that the quality of their work is adequate or even improved, hence deserving a raise?
The attitude that the longer you are at a workplace gives you some kind of security irregardless of the quality of your work, has to go and that will be hard for these workers raised on the principal of seniority to accept – but that is the new reality.
I see no problem with younger workers, educated workers, etc. getting used to the new work ethic but I don’t see the older workers, the former auto workers, accepting it quietly and easily but on the other hand, I don’t see that they have another choice.
If Michigan is to survive and prosper, it MUST change the way it operates and the way its workers think; listen and learn.
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