http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/ Autoblog Comments for Toyota workers in Kentucky plant made more than UAW members last year http://www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2008 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
That is correct. A commenter came on here claiming to be a Toyota factory worker and stated that the UAW is trying hard to unionize them (I believe it). It is just insurance so they can keep the UAW and be able to pull out over night like the Colts from Baltimore. Well worth every penny to them for their long term.


How many Toyota assembly workers there will even think that their wages are as they are a lot to do with the UAW and therefore the American car companies (who have had to keep the unions around)? Let me guess... None. Yeah, keep believing that if GM and Ford weren't around that car assembly workers in the U.S. wouldn't be making (actually assembly wouldn't probably be here just like with DVD players and TVs) nearly the amount they do no matter for whom they work.]]>Jan 31st 2007 6:04PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Nov 10th 2008 8:31AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 6:05PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
I was going to say that the Toyota workers earned their keep.]]>Jan 31st 2007 6:06PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Works well by helping to lower the costs of manufacture compared to rivals. As competively priced car sales rise, variable pay component can be adjusted according to the performance of the entire unit. Gives the company plenty of financial breathing space and helps fend off unionization.

For sure high labor costs aren't domestic manufacturers only challenge. ]]>Jan 31st 2007 6:08PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Typical Detroit stinkin' thinkin'.

]]>Jan 31st 2007 6:28PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
This should never be allowed.]]>Jan 31st 2007 7:00PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 7:30PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Healthcare cost per vehicle:
$1635 (UAW) $215 (Toyota/Nissan)

Line Relief (extra uneeded wrkrs) cost/vehicle
$630 (UAW) $0(Toyota/Nissan)

Quality Issues Cost/Vehicle
$815 est (UAW) $118 est (Toyota/Nissan)]]>Nov 10th 2008 8:32AMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Unions, in and of themselves, are not dangerous entities if they are willing to work with the company management during ebbs and flows. Further, there must be ways to flexibly hire good workers and fire bad ones. Then, facilities need to be able to reallocate workforces to particular areas if demands on a plant change (flexible manufacturing of products). Finally, facilities need to be able to reorganize themselves in response to product launches, upgrades, etc and ask for things like overtime and adaptability of individual functions and jobs. All of this has to be available without the threat of strike or perpetuated worker resentment (mob mentality).

So, just based on those limited requirements, tell me if Toyota has a total cost advantage, even if they paid in salary 10-20% more per worker than Ford or GM? The answer is yes.

Then, take into account health care, pensions and other benefits that have been promised to UAW workers of the Big Three and are guaranteed through contracts.

Tell me if you think Toyota, without anywhere near the same pension obligations even when their workforce ages and more balanced sharing of health care costs in the long term, has a lower total cost structure even if they paid 30-40% more than UAW workers, and the answer is probably still yes.

Now, this fact doesn't exempt product managers and executives at GM and Ford who have completely screwed up the product lines, but now that both companies seem to have decent leadership teams in place, they need these flexibilities from the UAW. Most importantly, if Ford and GM are to survive, they need certainty, not uncertainty (future pension costs, future health care costs, future strikes and shut downs). Japanese companies have that certainty with 401ks, shared health care costs and no unions to strike.

But, going into the 2007 negotiations, I would argue that the mistakes of the past are past. We are in the present now and the management teams, at least at Ford, are significantly different. Although not all plants have what I would consider completely competitive products yet, if I were the workers in Ford's Oakville or Louisville plants or GM's Kansas City plant where the Malibu will be produced, I would be pleased with good products on my line and working with the management going forward to ensure quality, flexibility and certainty. That means working some overtime if needed, being flexible with my work station, retraining and not striking. In return I would demand relatively good wages.

I would argue that the fair market value for UAW workers is MUCH lower than Toyota workers under current contracts because of the loopholes and uncertainty that exist in them. Eliminate uncertainty (this is both a company and UAW effort - one can't eliminate confrontational attitudes alone) and you can see increasing salaries. Eliminate the inflexible roles and relatively inflexible hiring, firing, retraining and reassigning practices, and you can expect even more increases (this again is a joint effort) over time.

From what I understand, at least from Ford's side, Mullaly has already begun his outreach. Given his past success in labor relations, I would venture to guess that if the unions work with him, providing certainty and flexibility, he can guarantee wages and return some level of certainty to them. If the union is inflexible, there is nothing that can save Ford, if not the other domestics as well.]]>Jan 31st 2007 7:36PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 8:00PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 8:51PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 9:18PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 9:25PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Oh, and every five years or so they resoundingly tell the UAW to go to hell 70% - 30%. That's America!]]>Jan 31st 2007 9:31PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 9:41PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/
Anyways, I dont really find this surprising. But should ANY factory worker that puts a dash together or bolts a chair in be paid $30/hr? Nope. I dont care what company they work for. ]]>Jan 31st 2007 9:44PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 9:52PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 10:16PMhttp://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-workers-in-us-made-more-than-uaw-members-for-first-time-l/Jan 31st 2007 11:13PM