If there is anything the Rick Wagoner has learned during his time at GM, it's that you never piss off the unions. That morsel of knowledge might be something that Carlos Ghosn has to consider now that the United Auto Workers (UAW) has come out in opposition of a possible merger of General Motors and Renault/Nissan.Ron Gettelfinger, president of the UAW, has joined hands with his compatriot in Canada, as well as union leaders in France and Germany all weary of the alliance. The Japanese Auto Works (JAW) has remained mute so far, but is very interested in the outcome of such a merger.
Ghosn has had his share of dealings with unions in the past and has dealt with them in a manner contrary to his perceived slash-and-burn persona. During the '90s Mr. Ghosn was confronted with a possible strike of workers in the JAW that subsequently led to 21k in buyouts, improved salaries and long-term stability for all the workers at Nissan's various operations. This and other deals over the past decade have solidified Ghosn's position towards unions, seeing them as an integral part of the business and not a force to do battle with.
Where this new development leaves the proposed GM/Renault/Nissan coalition remains to be seen, but another layer of complexity is inevitable with so much at stake.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GrowUp @ Aug 7th 2006 10:56AM
Why do I picture the UAW with pitchforks and torches screaming, "What about the children?!" as I read this article?
Gale @ Aug 7th 2006 11:02AM
"...you don't want to piss off the unions"
Correct - Piss ON the unions. They've ruined the industry (see steel, airlines, transportation)
Piss on all of 'em - and don't let the door hit you on the way out.
Avinash machado @ Aug 7th 2006 11:04AM
UAW seems to spend more time blocking deals rather than supporting deals.
Steve @ Aug 7th 2006 11:30AM
"Correct - Piss ON the unions. They've ruined the industry (see steel, airlines, transportation)"
I agree. I think they are scared they may lose their jobs because GM has found a better solution than to give in to all the union's demands.
Atomicbri @ Aug 7th 2006 11:37AM
I don't see the unions coming in and offering any solutions to the current crisis at GM....they haven't been very effective in trying to change their healthcare plans or anything....So will be funny if GM had to fire even more employees since these greedy unions want nothing but everyhting....Piss on the unions...
Justin @ Aug 7th 2006 12:00PM
I don't get it. If Ghosn is friendly to unions, why don't they want this merger again?
Oh, right, because they are stupid.
rainking @ Aug 7th 2006 12:17PM
Doesn't matter what the unions say or don't say. Any deal between GM and Nissan would be stupid. I can see the benefits for Nissan (huge dealer network, lots of plant capacity etc) but what's in it for GM? Nothin'. It's like Wal Mart. Many people don't shop at Wal mart for politcal reasons. Personally, i don't shop there cuz the stores are shit holes and the employees are helpless idiots.
digitalzombie @ Aug 7th 2006 12:23PM
Justin they're not stupid. You're just overlooking the fact that GM have not made a profit for a long time. Nissan/REnault isn't going to to inherit (by merging) fucking GM problems. THere are a lot of problems with GM. THe one that stand out is UAW and the fact that they haven't post profit in a while. This is a smart move on Ghosn part for not merging.
Jeff @ Aug 7th 2006 1:22PM
"...all weary of the alliance."
I think you mean wary. Although, I'm a bit weary of hearing unions complaining.
Steven @ Aug 7th 2006 1:31PM
The last thing any american company needs is help from the French. GM doesn't need Nissan or Renault, but they do need someone new to lead the company in a new direction. Ghosn would be great for GM. The merger would not be.
iQuack @ Aug 7th 2006 4:26PM
Whatever upsets the UAW is good for the rest of us.
The sooner the UAW's choke-hold on GM is weakened, the better.
Best thing to do with all unions is bust 'em!
Shadyman @ Aug 7th 2006 6:16PM
I don't know if the unions realize it or not... Car sales suck, and they're going to suck increasingly more.
Bob_Ericson @ Aug 7th 2006 9:23PM
Reminds me of those tough-guy union members in Kenosha at the 'stunningly profitable' AMC plant that told Chrysler to F-O when Chrysler took over.
Chrysler's answer: Off switch.
They sure protected those jobs, huh?
Grew up as an AMC fan and figure it's kindda ironic that they probably had a hand in helping kill off the #4 US automaker.