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Indianapolis auto workers drive UAW executives out of meeting

MaggieD

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Where is this news in mainstream?

Indianapolis auto workers drive UAW executives out of meetingBy Andre Damon
17 August 2010
Workers at a General Motors stamping plant in Indianapolis, Indiana chased United Auto Workers executives out of a union meeting Sunday, after the UAW demanded workers accept a contract that would cut their wages in half.

As soon as three UAW International representatives took the podium, they were met with boos and shouts of opposition from many of the 631 workers currently employed at the plant. The officials, attempting to speak at the only informational meeting on the proposed contract changes, were forced out within minutes of taking the floor.

The incident once again exposes the immense class divide between workers and union officials, who are working actively with the auto companies to drive down wages and eliminate benefits.

A vote on the changes was originally scheduled for Monday, but was cancelled by the UAW after Sunday’s informational meeting made it clear that opposition was nearly unanimous. The new contract would, among other concessions, cut wages from an average of $29 an hour to $15.50.

General Motors, the UAW, and the state government have been working to sell the plant to JD Norman Industries, which was demanding the nearly 50 percent wage cuts as a condition for the sale. GM and the UAW are now denouncing workers for opposing the destruction of their living standards.
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2010/aug2010/inds-a17.shtml
 
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The unions want the workers to take a pay cut?

How much does it suck when the unions start running the company? Kinda like the fox gaurding the hen house.

Some of us new this was going to be a ****ing joke, when the government took over the car companies, then turned around and gave the company to the union...:rofl
 
“No matter how many jobs we will have at this facility, they will be poverty level and many families will have to take advantage of government programs,” added auto worker Carly Burkhart Kirchner.

Auto worker Nick Ellis told local news station WISHTV, “You just can’t live on $15.50 an hour.”

Uh, what?

...
 
Uh, what?

...

Actually, as I understood the article, they aren't cutting anyone's pay. New hires will be hired at $15 instead of the $30 they're getting now. $15/hour with the kind of benefits the UAW has isn't bad. It's interesting to me that this didn't make mainstream media. Maybe it's there now, but not earlier. Now that the UAW owns part of GM, it would seem it has changed its tune.

Thanks for changing the post, Right.
 
Actually, as I understood the article, they aren't cutting anyone's pay. New hires will be hired at $15 instead of the $30 they're getting now. $15/hour with the kind of benefits the UAW has isn't bad. It's interesting to me that this didn't make mainstream media. Maybe it's there now, but not earlier. Now that the UAW owns part of GM, it would seem it has changed its tune.

Thanks for changing the post, Right.

Not quite - IndyStar.com | Marion County, Indiana, breaking news, photos, things to do | The Indianapolis Star

Davison said the measure would have preserved the rights of plant workers to relocate to another GM facility and keep their $29-an-hour pay.

Those who want to stay can leave GM and work for Norman at $15.50 an hour, Davison said. Those who qualify can retire with full GM benefits, then go to work for Norman, Davison said.

I grew up in Indy and it has been hit hard. There are a lot of GM and Chrysler facilities in places where I've lived and have family. But once again, the unions have priced themselves into a hole that the taxpayers can't afford to bail them out of. At least the taxpayers aren't going to get hit with this plant sale/closure.
 
Not quite - IndyStar.com | Marion County, Indiana, breaking news, photos, things to do | The Indianapolis Star

I grew up in Indy and it has been hit hard. There are a lot of GM and Chrysler facilities in places where I've lived and have family. But once again, the unions have priced themselves into a hole that the taxpayers can't afford to bail them out of. At least the taxpayers aren't going to get hit with this plant sale/closure.

I looked allll over for a mainstream article on this earlier today. Thanks for the link. It does sound like the plant will be closed. JD Norman's main plant is 5 miles from my house. I was very surprised to see they were negotiating.

The workers must not really believe the plant will close. What do they have to lose otherwise? I agree. Unions have managed to price their workers right into the unemployment lines -- something I blame on management just as much as the unions.
 
/facepalm I rather take a pay cut than have no job.

Think it has something to do with the length of unemployment now? I just can't imagine why they'd do that unless they just don't believe it's going to happen...

I find it ironic that now that the UAW is a stake holder -- and has a chance to sell the plant instead of close it -- that they're finally deciding to make some 'smarter' business decisions. Guess the rank and file just can't believe it.
 
Think it has something to do with the length of unemployment now? I just can't imagine why they'd do that unless they just don't believe it's going to happen...

I find it ironic that now that the UAW is a stake holder -- and has a chance to sell the plant instead of close it -- that they're finally deciding to make some 'smarter' business decisions. Guess the rank and file just can't believe it.

The irony is sooooooooooo thick that the union wants to do this.
 
The only thing that Unions Management has sought since WW11 is POWER for themselves.
 
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