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I have been commenting on the on-going UAW (United Auto
Workers) union contract talks with the auto manufacturers. I have been watching
the FORD talks more closely since Ford is the only company the unions can
legally strike at this time.
A strike vote has been taken at Ford and workers there have
overwhelmingly gave the go-ahead to strike.
I have been also saying how there might be a disconnect
between UAW leadership (Bob King) and the rank and file (workers).
I have mentioned that a generous profit sharing plan should
give workers that extra money they want BUT it seems that is not ENOUGH
according to this morning’s news. Gary Walkowicz, bargaining committeeman for
local 600 at DEARBORN TRUCK plant (F-150s) said that workers are FED UP with
concessions and with THEIR OWN UNION LEADERSHIP and want THEIR FORTUNES
RESTORED.
Some in the UAW (very few) are touting job security as the
main issue. They say that many workers forgot that they nearly lost their jobs
for good a short time ago but this is the mind-set at Ford; we want more and
more and more…right now or we strike your ass.
Ford cannot afford a strike but it also cannot allow the UAW
to blackmail it into submission thus endangering their future viability.
The UAW cannot legally strike GM and Chrysler and so a
strike at Ford Motor could shift market share to GM and Chrysler and Ford is
aware of the fact that once a customer switches brands, it is very hard to
bring that customer back.
The UAW, as always, has the upper hand because they have a
weapon (strike) whereas Ford does not. But Ford could weather a strike for some
time using up whatever inventory they have and Ford could also bring in autos
from their plants overseas and in Mexico unfortunately, Ford’s best seller
(F-150) is built right here in Dearborn, MI.
A prolonged strike would also deplete the UAW’s strike fund
and workers would be forced to dip into their own money.
A prolonged strike would also make Ford think about moving
their production facilities into right-to-work states like the foreign
manufacturers did or expand overseas. The bottom line is that the UAW would be
shooting themselves in the head if they strike, no matter what.
If the UAW strikes Ford, the public opinion in this country
which is already anti-union, will be rabidly anti-union and could lead to a
Republican victory in 2012 and believe me, the GOP will use this union strike
issue to their advantage.
President Obama is scheduled to speak here on LABOR DAY as
many Democratic presidents and presidential candidates have done fort many
years. I think it is a mistake for Obama to show himself as such a huge union
guy since his unabashed union promotion has already turned many against him and
as in my case, would have me vote Republican or not vote at all if the
Republican candidate is someone other than John Huntsman.
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