Autoblog

elprogramer @ Apr 5th 2008 6:17PM

I did read the article, but apparently I know more about the situation than you. The National Agreement provided a base, but the details are left to be hammered out by the individual locals as what constitutes the "second-tier" (there were hundreds of employee classifications, but those are getting merged, depending on the history of the site).

General Motors will approach each individual facility make them bid for the possibility of work (as opposed to being closed) and show them what they want and how other facilities rank in the company's satisfaction (in regards to work rules). This is advantageous for General Motors to engage in such behavior, but it causes undue stress among the workforce.

The International stepped in and helped negotiate the rules evenly, between those facilities, so the company could get what they wanted and the workers could be assured they were being negotiating in confidence.

Personally, I do see your point in regards to hypocrisy, and I agree with it. But, I can see why things were done the way they were.

First off all, new employees can make the "full" wages, but only if they are employed in a facility where their competitors make similar wages (like an assembly plant, because Toyota and Honda have to pay similar wages to keep the UAW out), but in smaller components facilities (which General Motors has/had many of, such as parts, engines, axles, stamping facilities), the prevailing wages for such services is significantly lower. The UAW had no choice but to acquiesce, because they have no power to force the company to continue producing anything, and they could've easily gone with a third party supplier.

I enjoy this new contract. It saves union jobs and keeps production inside the company (which lowers cost and improves quality if done right).