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It's easy to say "let 'em fail", but what will happen to our national security (especially since we are still at war) if we lose our manufacturing capabilities? The auto companies played a crucial role during WWII. If we just let them shut down now, this would have serious consequenses for our national defense. I personally don't think the Big 3 should get any bailout money unless bad management gets the heave-ho and new management and the UAW renegotiate their unsustainable compensation packages. The times, they are a-changin'.
Answer
As an auto worker I am appalled at the ignorance and disinformation being displayed in regard to this situation. FYI: in the last UAW-GM contract, the UAW already gave GM the ability to hire new workers at $17 and a number of other concessions. The Japanese companies operating in the US pay wages comparable to our present wages. Their savings is in legacy costs. They are so new in this country that they have no retirees to pay. They also don't have health insurance costs with their Japanese retirees, we are the only industrial nation without some kind of national health care. So their nation's health care system pays retiree health care.
As for vehicles, many Americans are still parroting the old 1970's
refrain that the. Big Three are not building the kind of cars that Americans want. We have rushed dozens of new gas efficient and hybrid vehicles to market. We are almost ready to sell electric cars. And, don't start thinking we have models people want but lousy quality. Toyota set an industry record last year for recalls. Today, US quality rivals the best in the world. The reason the bailout is necessary is because of the credit crunch and the public's reluctance to make major purchases in tough economic times, we are not able to sell the cars we have built. The Japanese automakers are suffering the same as we are.
Now, someone had the nerve to suggest that my wages be cut since anyone can do my job. I am a skilled trades worker with a college degree and I have finished a four year apprenticeship. Unlike "Joe the Plumber", I finished my apprenticeship and have my journeyman's card. If I worked outside the auto industry, in my trade, I would earn more than any $20 an hour.
The American automakers need the bailout to get through these tough economic times that they were in no way responsible for. If the auto industry leaves America, in order to buy a car you will have to give money to someone who may not like us very much.
As an auto worker I am appalled at the ignorance and disinformation being displayed in regard to this situation. FYI: in the last UAW-GM contract, the UAW already gave GM the ability to hire new workers at $17 and a number of other concessions. The Japanese companies operating in the US pay wages comparable to our present wages. Their savings is in legacy costs. They are so new in this country that they have no retirees to pay. They also don't have health insurance costs with their Japanese retirees, we are the only industrial nation without some kind of national health care. So their nation's health care system pays retiree health care.
As for vehicles, many Americans are still parroting the old 1970's
refrain that the. Big Three are not building the kind of cars that Americans want. We have rushed dozens of new gas efficient and hybrid vehicles to market. We are almost ready to sell electric cars. And, don't start thinking we have models people want but lousy quality. Toyota set an industry record last year for recalls. Today, US quality rivals the best in the world. The reason the bailout is necessary is because of the credit crunch and the public's reluctance to make major purchases in tough economic times, we are not able to sell the cars we have built. The Japanese automakers are suffering the same as we are.
Now, someone had the nerve to suggest that my wages be cut since anyone can do my job. I am a skilled trades worker with a college degree and I have finished a four year apprenticeship. Unlike "Joe the Plumber", I finished my apprenticeship and have my journeyman's card. If I worked outside the auto industry, in my trade, I would earn more than any $20 an hour.
The American automakers need the bailout to get through these tough economic times that they were in no way responsible for. If the auto industry leaves America, in order to buy a car you will have to give money to someone who may not like us very much.
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