Ford/GM reach UAW agreement

RACER X · 03-11-2009, 01:18 PM

Ford:

Taking care of its retirees is one of the things the American auto industry prides itself on, and for good reason. But it's also one of the things that's making it hard to compete with foreign carmakers - the expenses are getting out of control. To help keep both Ford and the UAW operating in the current market, a new deal has been struck that changes the way retiree health care is funded, and most critically, Ford says it will help keep the company from needing a government bridge loan.

The focus of the new contract announcement wasn't so much about the terms - which are assuredly dry - but about the impact it can have on workers and the industry. Bob King, the UAW's VP in charge of the Ford Department summed it up: "Our bargaining committee made an extraordinary effort to negotiate changes in a responsible way that will help Ford be competitive, while still protecting our active and retired members."

For its part, Ford seems satisfied with the changes too. Joe Hinrichs, group VP of global manufacturing and labor affairs (pictured above), said, "By working together with our UAW partners, we identified solutions that will help Ford reach competitive parity with foreign-owned auto manufacturers and that are important to our efforts to operate through the current economic environment without accessing a bridge loan from the U.S. government."

That last point may be of most interest to both the average UAW worker and the average American taxpayer. Throughout the current market downturn, however, Ford has maintained the most solid position of the Detroit carmakers, so perhaps it comes as no surprise.

All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

http://www.motorauthority.com/ford-a...mpetitive.html

GM:

Yesterday we reported about the deal worked out between Ford and the United Auto Workers (UAW), and now the national union group has announced that it has reached an agreement with General Motors. According to Cal Rapson, vice-president of the UAW's GM section, the "tentative changes" made to the UAW GM National Agreement are similar to the Ford deal in the area of economics but other parts are very different.

These so-called differences include changes that better “fit the UAW GM culture”, Rapson explained to the Detroit Free Press. Rapson wasn’t willing to go into specifics but said the new agreement included no mandatory physical examinations.

At the heart of the agreement also lies the debt owed by manufacturers to the retiree health care fund. The automotive bailout money provided to GM by the White House requires the company to convince the union to take half of the payment for the retiree health care debt in the form of GM stock, rather than cash. Until this area of the deal is ironed out, however, UAW workers will not be able to vote on and ratify the agreement.

Apart from this area, it’s expected that the UAW GM agreement will include a halt in wage inflation and reduced break times as its agreement with Ford stipulates, but the exact nature of the concessions still remains uncertain.

All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority

http://www.motorauthority.com/uaw-an...agreement.html

101lifts2 · 03-11-2009, 09:45 PM

You think reduced break times will make GM profitable? lol

TommyHotWheel · 03-12-2009, 09:31 AM

The guys at the GM plants I knew took 45 minute breaks, not contractual...just lacsadaisical[sic].

pauldun170 · 03-12-2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Intriguingly, it was remarked that "Ford's deal with the UAW appeared to meet the cost savings targets set out by the Treasury Department for its aid to GM and Chrysler," yet Ford is the one that didn't take government money and so, technically, is the one automaker not compelled to meet those targets. General Motors and Chrysler have also made new agreements with the UAW, but details have yet to be released.

...

Papa_Complex · 03-12-2009, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101lifts2

You think reduced break times will make GM profitable? lol

Not more profitable, more productive. You know, so that they can fill all the demand for those cars that are flying off the showroom floors.

Oh, that's right....

Rider · 03-12-2009, 12:22 PM

The ONLY agreement that should have been made is the disbanding of the UAW. Fuck unions, they cost us all more money.

BobTheBiker · 03-12-2009, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

The ONLY agreement that should have been made is the disbanding of the UAW. Fuck unions, they cost us all more money.

Yessir. I think all the car companies need to just stop making new vehicles until their current surplus (which is IMMENSE) is sold off and their efforts arent just being wasted building cars that are gonna sit and rust for awhile while people cant afford the pieces of shit.

101lifts2 · 03-13-2009, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rider

The ONLY agreement that should have been made is the disbanding of the UAW. Fuck unions, they cost us all more money.

Yeah, but at least its money going to Americans.

derf · 03-13-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobTheBiker

Yessir. I think all the car companies need to just stop making new vehicles until their current surplus (which is IMMENSE) is sold off and their efforts arent just being wasted building cars that are gonna sit and rust for awhile while people cant afford the pieces of shit.

they cant stop makling cars completely because the uaw aggreement wont let them

BobTheBiker · 03-13-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derf

they cant stop makling cars completely because the uaw aggreement wont let them

fuck the UAW. they cant stop the company from being shut down. they're more than capable of speeding that up though.

03-11-2009, 01:18 PM	#1
RACER X AMA Supersport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Richmond, Tx Moto: '10 Tuono Factory Posts: 4,569	Ford/GM reach UAW agreement Ford: Taking care of its retirees is one of the things the American auto industry prides itself on, and for good reason. But it's also one of the things that's making it hard to compete with foreign carmakers - the expenses are getting out of control. To help keep both Ford and the UAW operating in the current market, a new deal has been struck that changes the way retiree health care is funded, and most critically, Ford says it will help keep the company from needing a government bridge loan. The focus of the new contract announcement wasn't so much about the terms - which are assuredly dry - but about the impact it can have on workers and the industry. Bob King, the UAW's VP in charge of the Ford Department summed it up: "Our bargaining committee made an extraordinary effort to negotiate changes in a responsible way that will help Ford be competitive, while still protecting our active and retired members." For its part, Ford seems satisfied with the changes too. Joe Hinrichs, group VP of global manufacturing and labor affairs (pictured above), said, "By working together with our UAW partners, we identified solutions that will help Ford reach competitive parity with foreign-owned auto manufacturers and that are important to our efforts to operate through the current economic environment without accessing a bridge loan from the U.S. government." That last point may be of most interest to both the average UAW worker and the average American taxpayer. Throughout the current market downturn, however, Ford has maintained the most solid position of the Detroit carmakers, so perhaps it comes as no surprise. All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority http://www.motorauthority.com/ford-a...mpetitive.html GM: Yesterday we reported about the deal worked out between Ford and the United Auto Workers (UAW), and now the national union group has announced that it has reached an agreement with General Motors. According to Cal Rapson, vice-president of the UAW's GM section, the "tentative changes" made to the UAW GM National Agreement are similar to the Ford deal in the area of economics but other parts are very different. These so-called differences include changes that better “fit the UAW GM culture”, Rapson explained to the Detroit Free Press. Rapson wasn’t willing to go into specifics but said the new agreement included no mandatory physical examinations. At the heart of the agreement also lies the debt owed by manufacturers to the retiree health care fund. The automotive bailout money provided to GM by the White House requires the company to convince the union to take half of the payment for the retiree health care debt in the form of GM stock, rather than cash. Until this area of the deal is ironed out, however, UAW workers will not be able to vote on and ratify the agreement. Apart from this area, it’s expected that the UAW GM agreement will include a halt in wage inflation and reduced break times as its agreement with Ford stipulates, but the exact nature of the concessions still remains uncertain. All Content Copyright 2006-2008 Motor Authority http://www.motorauthority.com/uaw-an...agreement.html __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ 2014 GROM! 181cc of FURY 2010 Aprilia Tuono Factory - SOLD 2009 SFV Gladius - SOLD 2008 Hayabusa - SOLD.

03-11-2009, 09:45 PM	#2
101lifts2 WSB Champion Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Moto: 2009 Kawi ZX6R Posts: 5,570	You think reduced break times will make GM profitable? lol __________________ Train Hard Ron Paul - 2012 Mark of Excellence GM

03-12-2009, 09:31 AM	#3
TommyHotWheel Imported from Detroit Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Michigan Moto: 2001 Suzuki TL1000R Posts: 989	The guys at the GM plants I knew took 45 minute breaks, not contractual...just lacsadaisical[sic]. __________________ Cry Havok! And let slip the hogs of war!

03-12-2009, 12:22 PM	#6
Rider Moto GP Star Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 12,156	The ONLY agreement that should have been made is the disbanding of the UAW. Fuck unions, they cost us all more money.