Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Tennessee auto workers reject union

VW Union Threatens to Block Further Expansion in the South.

http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/Volkswagen-union-threat-expansion/2014/02/19/id/553646

Coop you keep saying that but it's just not true. That is what the Union management wants you to believe. I know, I've listened to it when I was there. I make more than I ever did in a union shop, and it was a good wage. I've more safety training in the last year than I have in the last 5. Sure there are chitty companies that are non-union, just as there are crappy union companies.

I also have insurance. Have at any job I've ever had that wasn't in high school. I've never paid a dr. bill when hurt at work. Go in and they ask if I was hurt at work. I've also never been fired. I have a contract as you do. The company has to follow it or buy me out of it.

I've watched Walsh Construction fire 150 guys off the bench in 20 days. I've seen them fire someone for getting hurt, making a mistake, doing the right thing, doing the wrong thing, doing nothing, doing something.... I've watched them go through 3 safety directors in 2 weeks because they stopped work because of a safety violation by their own staff.

You say the company only cares about their bottom dollar. So what? So do I. If I made more money somewhere else....I'd be there. The union cares about their bottom dollar as well. That's the reason they want the companies to join them. It's not because they care about all those workers that aren't non-union currently. They want them and their $. Anything else is simply hiding from the truth.

I would imagine being in a right to work state would have a lot to do with what a union could gain in wages and benefits. Isn't the whole point of right to work is to weaken the unions into insignificance. The right to work organization isn't made up or funded by oppressed blue collar workers is it? You couldn't tell the men that show up at my union hall every day trying to join how much better work ing nonunion construction is. A lot of them are in their 50s, been working 25 years and have no benefits or anything to show for it. They're looking just to get 10 or 15 years in on a pension and some medical benefits. I've also worked with a lot of men that commute a 1000 miles from home for the season and I couldn't imagine why if conditions were so great back home in their right to work state

I'm a research engineer with a background in heavy duty diesels and race engines. I am not a union member. There isn't one for my profession.

As for my politics I guess you could best call me a populist with nationalist leanings. Belief in economic fair play and government neutrality in these types of issues is a hallmark of populism.

As for those who believe that it is proper for those politicians in Tennessee to inject themselves into this power struggle? Well all I can say is that Hitler, Pinoche, and most other totalitarian mass murderers would agree wholeheartedly.

Something to ponder.

Will

Lets not forget Obama, Clinton, Holder, Cuomo, Pelosi..... the list goes on.

That's union lamprey for "I never had to do what the boss wanted me to do, nor did I ever have to actually do my job."

Really? Even my union "brothers" that have served multiple tours in Afghan/Iraq? The ones deployed for so GD often they miss out on promotional opportunities? The ones held in so much respect by so many here?
Brilliant statement there pal.

It isn't the first time the [bleep] azed corker jumped into an issue involving the UAW. The boy NEEDS an old fashion union beat down...

Tis funny though how he got down on his knees and begged GM/the UAW to save the Saturn plant.

I guess you liked Juan Peron then and equating Pinochet to Hitler is beyond a reach, but it does confirm your more than left of center views. Not a criticism, just an observation.

It would be in all of our best interests to consider that just maybe the folks do NOT care to be a part of an organization whose political donations (from THEIR union dues) go to a party whose long term goals are actually COUNTER to good and decent employment and decent benefits,not to mention that a whole lot of gunowning folks are constantly locked in battle with that very same political party.

I disagree with this Jorge, and here's why: both US political parties have been busy redefining what the terms left an right mean for at least a century.

Having a "conservative" stance that embraces globalization and free trade? An interventionalist foreign policy that emenates from the right?

What I am, actually, is someone who in times not too distant was considered mainstream. Before the left and right embraced identity politics, before the left embraced government handouts in lieu of a functional industrial policy, before the right abandoned "America first" industrial policy in lieu of globalization? Before then populism was considered as American as apple pie.

And no, Pinoche and Hitler had much in common. Among these commonalities an unbridled hatred of trade unions stands out. The fact that both were mass murderers who should have been hung from the nearest oak is another.

Will

Yes, you're a conservative Yankee, which is likely the most damning thing to this country.

As a student of history, I disagree with your posits on every point. And BTW, aside form being wrong on Pinochet, he is one of the very few men I admire. Oh and as far as his views on Unions were concerned, can't say that I blame them. Maybe there was a place for them a hundred yeard ago, but nowaways surely even you recognizes their political affiliations as ET so astutely pointed out.

Penguin, you are the ultimate Big Government Socialist. You wouldn't know "right" if it punched you in the nose.



Not even close.

A jealous statement Barry. Most of us wanted to go to work and do a good job, its self satisfying. The union presence keeps these little dicktaters in line as there is a code of conduct which both sides have to adhere to. In a union shop if you are insubordinate or don't do your job you are disciplined and if it continues your down the road. You are clinging to old 'false' stereotypes, I view this as a defensive mechanism.
Look at this http://youtu.be/AiqzDsO3xhs

Yep, just because he's a leper in the room with the most fingers that don't mean he ain't a leper.

So, you DID taste dicks and decided they were like 'taters!?

[color:#FF0000]Not so simple.....[/color]

Bwahahahaha. Gawd.

~shakes head sadly~

See this is what happens when you try to shoehorn US attitudes into worldwide norms. The assumption that "management" of VW would automatically be against unionization only holds water if you are ignorant of how the company is organized and prefers to operate.

Not only was Corker obviously ignorant of how VW operates he was totally backwards in how the company would respond to a "no" vote.

If they expand it will someplace other than the south. Congratulations Bob, great work.

If the workers at the plant wanted this then fine, that is more than OK. They're the ones making the cars and carrying the lunch pails. That's their perogative. But it does serve to put them at odds with the rest of the VW organization. And there are costs to doing that. If VW follows industry norms then the obvious play for them is to simply allow the plant to float into obsolescense. No new lines, no plant expansions, and no upgrades.

The mistake was assuming that what VW wanted was a '70s Detroit style of worker/management structure. That is obviously not what they utilize or want. Nor did they want a 2000's Southern style non-union plant. Speaking from my experience working with German engineers.... well let's just say that they tend to know what they want and aren't used to compromising.

Be interesting to see where this leads.

Will

so are you. Like the its "a jealous statement". Why do union guys always think us non-union guys are jealous? I don't know anyone that is "jealous" they're not in a union. ESPECIALLY if they were on a previous job.

Do you really think there is no "code of conduct" we have to follow in the work place in a non unioin shop? Do you REALLY believe that?

Oh, yeah, Will, of course VW wants another organization interfering with their operations. Doesn't everybody?