Call it a case of "He said, he said." A Toyota spokesman says the Japanese automaker doesn't see an interest in unionizing among workers at its production facility in Kentucky, while UAW spokespeople say workers are showing more interest than ever in forming a union. So which is it? Could be a bit of both. UAW membership has been dropping nationwide, but the organization still has an undeniably powerful place in the industry. With more foreign automakers building plants in the States, particularly in the South, the UAW has failed to gain a foothold in these facilities.
The Detroit News is quoting Toyota spokesman Rick Hesterberg as saying the carmaker sees no evidence of increased UAW interest among its Georgetown, Kentucky plant workforce. But the News also offers statements by UAW president Ron Gettelfinger and the union's head of organizing efforts, Terry Thurman, that contradict Toyota's position. They say there is "increased activity" ever since workers found out about a proposal to lower some workers' wages to cut costs. They admit that Toyota workers' wages are close to UAW rates, but say the difference is in how volatile wages can be at a non-union plant.
Though the UAW's power has been waning, the slow resurrection of profits at General Motors will give it more bargaining power at the table this year. If a union ever were established at a Japanese-owned production facility in the U.S., that precedent would also create the opportunity for a resurgence in the UAW's popularity among hourly auto workers.
[Source: The Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
felipe @ Mar 14th 2007 3:35PM
and if they do go union, i hope toyota shuts the plant down. stupid lazy ass UAW
Viv @ Mar 14th 2007 3:38PM
I surely hope a union can be formed in the kentucky plant. Then we will see how many cars toyota will build in america.
Brian @ Mar 14th 2007 3:39PM
Toyota has a UAW plant. NUMMI.
Guenther @ Mar 14th 2007 3:45PM
They ought to announce that UAW members will receive NO BONUSES. After they bonus they handed out at TMMK last year, that would disuage most.
GrindingAxis @ Mar 14th 2007 3:49PM
The UAW has MILLION$ of reasons for starting this rumor. Toyota is the most successful automobile brand on the planet. What better way to lower quality and ruin a brand than to let the UAW in. Do you suppose GM and Ford are behind the scenes pushing for this?? lol
porker @ Mar 14th 2007 3:51PM
Never thought I would cheer for the UAW, but GO! GO! GO! Unionize those toyota workers and let toyota see how competitive they really are. Maybe saddle them with some legacy pension costs, too.
Hondacura @ Mar 14th 2007 4:00PM
NO UNION!
Toyota don't give in!
thisislame @ Mar 14th 2007 4:01PM
Union already destroyed the US Auto industry... they will now try to ruin Toyota. Lazy fat turds.
porker @ Mar 14th 2007 4:05PM
You know, who knows? Perhaps the UAW could stop or at least slow toyota's quality freefall. Look at how successful they've been at GM, which now builds the best cars and trucks in the world.
SgtHulka @ Mar 14th 2007 4:05PM
I had a conversation 2 months ago with a retiring college high school counselor, an icon in education circles in Ohio who told me "In 43 years I've never once had a student tell me that their goal in life was to become a union member".
That just about sums it up.
cuahetemoc @ Mar 14th 2007 4:06PM
Well, say goodbye to Toyota and others opening more stateside plants. They'll take off to Mexico like VW and others. The UAW wants unskilled morons to be payed like professionals. These dolts get payed +50k starting and move onto +80k easily with OT. For what? Greasing an axel? Putting a rear bench seat in? Unreal. Then there's the benefits! I detest the UAW for what they did to American auto manufacturers. I won't by American for this reason. I have a high school acquaintance making over $70k easily for lifting axels all day and smoking pot on his lunch break (no joke).
Enough is enough.
These people are going to kill the prize milking cow.
Jimmy Turner @ Mar 14th 2007 4:07PM
That would be one way to get Toyota to stop developing locations in the US. When I was in high school hearing about the outrageous wage and benefit increases the UAW received, I knew there would be a day or reckoning. Well, it is here, and it is costing not only the UAW members - it's costing the whole American automobile industry! Toyota will hopefully tell the employees to choose having a job or joining a union. It's a no-brainer if you ask me.
Dandy @ Mar 14th 2007 4:08PM
Could toyota just fire everyone and hire a new workforce if they threatened to join a union? Forgive me, I dunno how all that works.
GrindingAxis @ Mar 14th 2007 4:12PM
If you can't beat'em, UAW'em.
Hooligan @ Mar 14th 2007 4:23PM
Union = scum
Jay @ Mar 14th 2007 4:23PM
>They say there is "increased activity" ever since
>workers found out about a proposal to lower some
>workers' wages to cut costs.
Why would Toyota be looking to lower wages like that? Haven't they been on a double-digit percentage sales tear lately? Why would they be hurting for cash?
carfan @ Mar 14th 2007 4:24PM
I agree with cuahetemoc. "Skilled labor" wages and benefits seem too high these days. Example: the shock and horror of some UAW members at having to pay a small slice of their massive healthcare costs. I think some actually vomitted at hearing the word "copay."
Here's a novel idea: make union membership optional, and none of that "representation fee" crap. Do that nationwide, UAW, and let the people decide what's best for them.
Aaron @ Mar 14th 2007 4:30PM
ahahahaha. Toyota were the idiots shooting their mouths off about controlling and reducing labor costs...
They invited the increased interest themselves.. The UAW has been after them from day 1.. They just made it easy for them now.
YAY getting more american everyday, while barely making 50% of the cars they sell here domestically :tardski:
Brian @ Mar 14th 2007 4:33PM
UAW is full of sh**. These people are some of the best compensated & cared for employees anywhere in the industry. Nothing more than propaganda. If it were true- Toyota would be wise to close the plant rather than give in to those crooks.
CaliberSRT4 @ Mar 14th 2007 4:49PM
Everyone should be UNION-IZED They will be better off! If Chrysler didn't, there probably would be no Chrysler/Dodge/Jeep.