Letter of the week, 11/17/08: Automobile industry, pensions and unions

[David]

Blame the union?
Editor:

There are a lot of people blaming the auto industry's problems on bad decisions and the union (wages and pensions). They suggest slashing wages and cutting off their pensions. I hear no call for any of that when it comes to our federal, state or any local governments.

Have any of you looked into those wages and pensions? Are those agency's finances healthy? Have they not made poor decisions, also? Do you believe any company who is having problems now should cut wages and pull the rug out from under their pensions?

It's the same old thing. If it's not my job, then to heck with them! How sad.

As far as SUV's go, they gave the people what they wanted. They gave the shareholders what they wanted. Go ahead, blame the union! That's par for the course.
SCOTT BRITNEY, MERIDEN

[Jim N]

Blame the union?
Editor:

There are a lot of people blaming the auto industry's problems on bad decisions and the union (wages and pensions). They suggest slashing wages and cutting off their pensions. I hear no call for any of that when it comes to our federal, state or any local governments.

Have any of you looked into those wages and pensions? Are those agency's finances healthy? Have they not made poor decisions, also? Do you believe any company who is having problems now should cut wages and pull the rug out from under their pensions?

It's the same old thing. If it's not my job, then to heck with them! How sad.

As far as SUV's go, they gave the people what they wanted. They gave the shareholders what they wanted. Go ahead, blame the union! That's par for the course.
SCOTT BRITNEY, MERIDEN
I think you need to talk apples to apples. While I agree the benefits of government employees are on the high side compared to the majority of private industry that is our fault as taxpayers and we need to address that through our legislators.

Unions in the auto industry and other private industries did not negoiate their contracts with the taxpayers but rather with the corporation they work for. If between management and the union they have driven that private company to the brink of closing it's doors or even closing them it should be up to them to work something out. It is however not my job as a taxpayer to foot the bill for benefits that were negoiated in and for the private sector. The unions and management of the the auto manufacturers want to keep the companies running that is fine and if they can do it themselves everything can remain the same or what ever they decide. However if they want the taxpayers to bail them out, a whole new set of rules and benefits apply. I see no reason for my taxes to go up (a cut in pay for me) to keep other people living at a wage that destroyed a company or 3. See my comments in Just Vent under "Might as well bail out Detroit"

[alwaysright]

as a formerly self employed person, I dislike unions and most of their work. Let's see what they can do for the car people now. the ruination of business-unions

[Jim N]

as a formerly self employed person, I dislike unions and most of their work. Let's see what they can do for the car people now. the ruination of business-unions
I think unions have out lived their usefulness. I can't understand having to give the same raise to exemplary employees as you have to give to total bums. It definitely removes any motivation to excel, or even do a good job except for those people who are few and far between and excel because they take pride in themselves and jobs. Ridiculous pay scales have driven employers out of the country or at the very least to right to work states. Just because your ego tells you you should be paid a certain amount doesn't mean you actually deserve it. The division of labor in union shops causes overhead now that can't be defended or paid. It is coming down to learn how to truly work and do your part or you may see your company leaving. Management also has to do their part but that's for another post.

[wallyworld resident]

To blame it solely on the unions is wrong. What about the highly paid officers of the auto companies who make millions every year with perks, all the MBA's and engineers who just can't seem to produce, market and sell a product that the public will prefer over the competition's?
Don't blame the union guy who operates a machine or assembles the product. They know-and I am one myself-that they're not going to get rich doing what they do. They come to work every day to earn a living and feed their families. It's not their fault that they're competing with workers in other countries, or other regions of this country, who don't have as high a standard of living as they do, who have fewer benefits or lower wages. I don't deny that there are those who abuse their rights as employees. There are bad managers too, who allow bad work practices to exist or who are too lazy to do their own jobs.
I don't pretend to have the answer to the domestic auto industry dilemma but I do know that those who serve those companies in a high capacity will not suffer if they close, not like the workers who punch the time clock every day. Yes, the unions will have to make concessions if the industry is to survive but it will take a joint effort to make it work and that means sacrifices on both sides.

[Chriss P]

I dont think its wrong to have Unions, pensions, excellent benefits, and high wages. Just don't ask the tax payers to fund this who have no health insurance, no high wages, no security, and no pensions.

Some people have no idea what its like being an ex-cancer patient with no insurance praying the cancer does not return and having to pay for people to have excellent insurance, high wages, and pensions.

I hope those employees have saved for a rainy day and not lived way beyond their means because its going to be rough.

If they want the taxpayers to give they will also have to give a bit themselves and get on an even keel.

[Snakebite]

The letter writer is suffering from paranoia, I don't think anyone is putting more blame on the unions and any other segment of the industry.

That said, the legacy costs of pensions and lifetime heath insurance is unsustainable. And what about the ridiculous Job Bank payments they created.
The Govermental unions will be going through the same scenerio in the near future, I know they get their people elected but even that won't help with the disparity in benefits vs. private industry getting too great.

Out of a $22,000 car, $1,000 of the cost goes to retirees benefits?

[Drifter]

Like the original letter said,If it's not my job or pension,heck with them.It's obvious that you haven't spent 35 or 40 years working for a pension.All this outrage over a LOAN to save millions of jobs,mortgages and pensions but not a word about Trillions of tax payers money over a war that never should have been.I'm done here because I know I can't win,Like they said on CNBC last night,NO BAILOUT,"this is our chance to crush the unions and you don't get that chance very often".If it takes a depression to do it ,so be it!Snakebite,you figures are outdated.2007 contract reduces wages to fourteen dollars an hour,pensions are eliminated and now you get a 401k,and other takeaways.Maybe you could tell me ,when a house is built,and sells for $400,000,what percentage goes to the builders of that house?On the other ,do you blame senior citizens for the problems in social security?

[alwaysright]

they stink. just didn't want to beat that dead horse retirement thread. little george is the one who will retire nicely- his idiot supporters will hire him on. maybe a linguist????