05-07-2009, 08:04 AM
GM Restructuring News
General Motors has announced that as part of their major restructuring plan they will be cutting 21,000 factory jobs by next year. They also stated that they will be phasing out the Pontiac brand. Other divisions such as the Hummer and Saturn are in a very uncertain situation.
Certain Uncertainty
Another month has gone by and we still have received no information as to what the newly-Negotiated agreement between the UAW and GM encompasses. We have received highlights of the agreement between Chrysler and the UAW. Ratification has not taken place nor has their membership been informed of the specifics. The future of not only GM, but Chrysler and Ford, is still up in the air. Home loan foreclosures within our country are at all-time record highs. One company after another announce restructuring, partial closing, or total liquidations and bankruptcies. One analyst says the bottom of the recession has been reached and the real answer is, is anybody’s guess.
Slavery Exists
During the years 1861 forward into 1865, Americans fought a war pitting family and friends against one another to end slavery within our country. Yet, we are currently endorsing that same treatment of people worldwide when we purchase products made in sweat shops and countries that have little or no work protection in place. Along with the mistreatment of workers in these foreign manufacturing businesses comes the seemingly endless stream of poisons and other hazardous contaminants in these imported products. One fact for sure is that if Americans do not learn to purchase American-made goods whenever they can, the recovery will be difficult at best. When the textile businesses were leaving our country, we stood by and did little to stop the flow. As the steel industry packed up and left, we jumped on cheaper steel to save costs. When most of the rubber industry cleared out, we accepted it as no big deal. We are now asking those same people to help us save our auto industry. Is it any wonder that sentiment for us is not as strong as we would hope it would be. The race for the bottom is picking up speed at an amazing pace.
Elections
We have been attempting to hold elections to fill any openings in positions vacated through retirements and in-plant movements. In an effort to be as fair as possible to all members, the election dates are being set to accommodate as many as possible. We are trying to make it so members will not have to drive in during their lay-off to cast their ballot. I’m sure that no matter when these elections are held, some members will be disadvantaged. Remember that you have the right to vote in your designated district, even if you are on a temporary lay-off.
General Motors has announced that as part of their major restructuring plan they will be cutting 21,000 factory jobs by next year. They also stated that they will be phasing out the Pontiac brand. Other divisions such as the Hummer and Saturn are in a very uncertain situation.
Certain Uncertainty
Another month has gone by and we still have received no information as to what the newly-Negotiated agreement between the UAW and GM encompasses. We have received highlights of the agreement between Chrysler and the UAW. Ratification has not taken place nor has their membership been informed of the specifics. The future of not only GM, but Chrysler and Ford, is still up in the air. Home loan foreclosures within our country are at all-time record highs. One company after another announce restructuring, partial closing, or total liquidations and bankruptcies. One analyst says the bottom of the recession has been reached and the real answer is, is anybody’s guess.
Slavery Exists
During the years 1861 forward into 1865, Americans fought a war pitting family and friends against one another to end slavery within our country. Yet, we are currently endorsing that same treatment of people worldwide when we purchase products made in sweat shops and countries that have little or no work protection in place. Along with the mistreatment of workers in these foreign manufacturing businesses comes the seemingly endless stream of poisons and other hazardous contaminants in these imported products. One fact for sure is that if Americans do not learn to purchase American-made goods whenever they can, the recovery will be difficult at best. When the textile businesses were leaving our country, we stood by and did little to stop the flow. As the steel industry packed up and left, we jumped on cheaper steel to save costs. When most of the rubber industry cleared out, we accepted it as no big deal. We are now asking those same people to help us save our auto industry. Is it any wonder that sentiment for us is not as strong as we would hope it would be. The race for the bottom is picking up speed at an amazing pace.
Elections
We have been attempting to hold elections to fill any openings in positions vacated through retirements and in-plant movements. In an effort to be as fair as possible to all members, the election dates are being set to accommodate as many as possible. We are trying to make it so members will not have to drive in during their lay-off to cast their ballot. I’m sure that no matter when these elections are held, some members will be disadvantaged. Remember that you have the right to vote in your designated district, even if you are on a temporary lay-off.