Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[UAW's King urges nationwide protests, going arm-in-arm with Occupy movement]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/uaws-king-urges-nationwide-protests-going-arm-in-arm-with-occu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/uaws-king-urges-nationwide-protests-going-arm-in-arm-with-occu/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/13/uaws-king-urges-nationwide-protests-going-arm-in-arm-with-occu/#commentsFiled under: ,

Bob King, UAW president joins protestors

The modern union movement was kick-started 75 years ago at a General Motors factory in Flint, MI. The workers staged a sit-down protest that eventually led to the formation of the first auto union contract. The United Auto Workers and President Bob King (middle) are looking to celebrate that big anniversary by, of course, hitting the streets in protest.

The Detroit News reports that King told a crowd of about 500 union members that the UAW will join with other unions and members of the Occupy Wall Street movement to protest big corporations that pay no taxes "while middle-class Americans are losing their homes." King went on to rally the troops with promises to fight corporate greed and right wing politics.

King and company plan to start their collaborative protesting on April 25 with a demonstration in front of the General Electric stakeholders meeting in Detroit. Of course GE isn't all that thrilled about the negative spotlight. GE spokesman Andrew Williams tells The Detroit News that the conglomerate paid a billion dollars in taxes in 2010.

UAW's King urges nationwide protests, going arm-in-arm with Occupy movement originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kinggegeneral electricoccupyoccupy wall streetstrikeuawunionMon, 13 Feb 2012 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20170172/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/13/uaws-king-urges-nationwide-protests-going-arm-in-arm-with-occu/20170172/article-detail.xml 20170172 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bob-king-uaw-protesting_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/bob-king-uaw-protesting.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler to hire 400-500 workers to build Dodge Dart]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/chrysler-to-hire-400-500-workers-to-build-dodge-dart/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/chrysler-to-hire-400-500-workers-to-build-dodge-dart/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/26/chrysler-to-hire-400-500-workers-to-build-dodge-dart/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2013 dodge dart

The 2013 Dodge Dart looks like it could be a hit with car buyers, and job seekers near the automaker's Belvidere, Illinois plant can likely appreciate the new sedan as well. The Detroit Free Press reports that Chrysler is looking to staff up with 400 to 500 jobs to help move as many Dart variants as possible.

Team Pentastar is looking for part-time hourly and full-time temporary workers to fill those roles. We're guessing the United Auto Workers union isn't all that pleased with the choice of temp workers, but we're betting that most job-seekers will be happy to fill out an app anyway. Chrysler was considering moving the Belvidere facility to three shifts, but the automaker reportedly decided to stick with two very busy shifts, at least for now.

Chrysler to hire 400-500 workers to build Dodge Dart originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dodge dartbelviderebelvidere chryslerchryslerchrysler workersdartdodgehiringillinoisuawunionThu, 26 Jan 2012 10:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20156947/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/26/chrysler-to-hire-400-500-workers-to-build-dodge-dart/20156947/article-detail.xml 20156947 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2013-dodge-dart-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/2013-dodge-dart-628.jpg <![CDATA[UAW President Bob King pumped about new CAFE standards]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Bob King, United Auto Workers president

Bob King, President of the United Auto Workers, is adding his voice to those who have already chimed in with support for the new Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025. In what might be a historic break from the union's contentious past, King is throwing in for the new fuel efficiency rules because he thinks it will mean jobs for his members as the auto industry reacts to the mandate.

In the past, such a decree could have meant much wailing and gnashing of teeth from both the automakers and labor unions. Instead, The Detroit News reports King told a meeting of representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency and Nathional Highway Traffic Safety Administration "We are excited about the new green technologies that are being developed in the United states and produced in UAW-represented facilities." King went on to praise the rules as a change that will save people money at the gas pump and reduce pollution.

The proceedings in Detroit weren't all smiles, however. Don Chalmers of the National Automobile Dealers Association expressed worry that the technology to make the fuel efficiency goal possible will tack on between $3,500 to $5,000 to the price of new vehicles, squeezing buyers with low cashflow or difficult credit inordinately. Still, the surprising bout of rainbows and puppy dogs that this latest CAFE requirement has engendered may be a harbinger of a new attitude all-around, as long as dealers can figure out how to put buyers into the newly efficient cars that automakers and labor leaders are so pleased to be creating.

UAW President Bob King pumped about new CAFE standards originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2025 cafe targetbob kingbob king cafecafecafe 2025corporate average fuel economydon chalmersfuel economympgnational automobile dealers associationuawWed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20150789/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/18/uaw-president-bob-king-pumped-about-new-cafe-standards/20150789/article-detail.xml 20150789 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/bob-king-uaw-boss-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/bob-king-uaw-boss-628.jpg <![CDATA[Fiat increases Chrysler stake to 58.5%]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/fiat-increases-chrysler-stake-to-58-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/fiat-increases-chrysler-stake-to-58-5/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/05/fiat-increases-chrysler-stake-to-58-5/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



How important is the forthcoming 2013 Dodge Dart to the future of Chrysler? Well, it allowed Fiat to boost its stake in Chrysler for the fifth time in the past year today, adding five percent to bring Fiat's total ownership to 58.5 percent.

That's because the new Dodge sedan scored a combined 40 miles per gallon in CAFE fuel economy testing, triggering the increase in ownership under the operating agreement reached following the Chrysler bankruptcy proceedings. (Note that the 40 mpg number is unadjusted, meaning that the actual EPA combined fuel economy, the one published on the window sticker, will be lower.) Chrysler sent the United States Treasury a letter stating that it was "irrevocably committed to begin assembly" of the Dart at its Belvidere plant in Illinois. Chrysler will take the wraps off the Dart on January 9 at the Detroit Auto Show.

Fiat's stake in Chrysler has grown considerably since it received its initial 20-percent share in the immediate aftermath of the automaker's bankruptcy. The Italian automaker has now met all the "performance events" of its agreement with the Treasury, and could buy out the United Auto Workers healthcare trust that owns the remaining 41.5 percent of the company, according to a report in Automotive News. However, that report indicates that Fiat's financial situation may not be solid enough to do so - at least not right away.

To read Chrysler's full press release, click through to the jump.

Continue reading Fiat increases Chrysler stake to 58.5%

Fiat increases Chrysler stake to 58.5% originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2013 dodge dartchryslerchrysler fiatdodge dartfiatfiat chryslerfiat chrysler partnershipmergeruawThu, 05 Jan 2012 16:29:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20140996/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/05/fiat-increases-chrysler-stake-to-58-5/20140996/article-detail.xml 20140996 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chrysler-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/chrysler-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Gingrich says UAW to blame for hobbling U.S. industry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/31/gingrich-says-uaw-to-blame-for-hobbling-u-s-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/31/gingrich-says-uaw-to-blame-for-hobbling-u-s-industry/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/31/gingrich-says-uaw-to-blame-for-hobbling-u-s-industry/#commentsFiled under:

Newt Gingrich

Proving that he is nothing if not predictable, Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich blamed the United Auto Workers for the loss of American manufacturing jobs at a recent campaign appearance. Automotive News reports that Gingrich lauded the BMW factory in Spartanburg, SC, for being "vibrant" and mentioned Honda, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan in a positive light, while blaming the UAW for impeding continuous improvement at domestic automakers. The UAW did not respond to a request for comment, according to the report.

While we wouldn't expect Gingrich to behave any differently towards his political enemies in the union, we will say that the loss of manufacturing jobs is a far more complicated subject than this or any other soundbite can explain. And for all the attention that the auto industry continues to receive from politicians hoping to score points with voters, we remain appalled at how little those on both sides of the aisle actually know about the business.

Gingrich says UAW to blame for hobbling U.S. industry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jobslabornewt gingrichnewt-gingrichpresidential campaignuawunionunited auto workersSat, 31 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20138016/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/31/gingrich-says-uaw-to-blame-for-hobbling-u-s-industry/20138016/article-detail.xml 20138016 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/newt-gingrich-2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/newt-gingrich-2.jpg <![CDATA[UAW targeting VW and Mercedes for U.S. organizing drive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/uaw-targeting-vw-and-mercedes-for-u-s-organizing-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/uaw-targeting-vw-and-mercedes-for-u-s-organizing-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/30/uaw-targeting-vw-and-mercedes-for-u-s-organizing-drive/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkswagen Chattanooga

The United Autoworkers Union is struggling - and it is the first to admit it. With its membership dwindling after three decades of workforce cuts by Chrysler, Ford and General Motors, the union has pinned its future on organizing one of the transplants. Efforts to convince workers at Japanese-owned plants, like the Nissan factory in Smyrna, Tennessee, have fallen on deaf ears in the past, but there's now hope that the UAW might succeed at one of the newer German-owned plants.

According to Reuters, the union is targeting the Mercedes-Benz plant in Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, and the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga. The UAW's strategy reportedly involves seeking assistance from IG Metall, the powerful German labor union that helped the UAW organize a VW plant in Pennsylvania in the 1970s. Reuters says the German union has a vested interest in helping the UAW, in that it does not want non-unionized workers at the German-owned plants in the United States to be able to undercut it on labor costs. If IG Metall can pressure the German carmakers not to oppose the UAW, the American union would have an easier time getting workers to vote for it, or at least that's the thinking.

Yet even with IG Metall's help, the UAW faces a historic challenge in organizing in the South, where the word "union" is regarded about the same as it was during the Civil War. And time is running out, according to the report, which says the UAW has been dipping into its strike fund since 2006.

UAW targeting VW and Mercedes for U.S. organizing drive originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chattanoogafactoryig metalllabormercedesmercedes-benznissanorganizingplantsmyrnatuscaloosauawunionunited auto workersunited auto workers unionvolkswagenvwFri, 30 Dec 2011 08:44:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20137251/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/30/uaw-targeting-vw-and-mercedes-for-u-s-organizing-drive/20137251/article-detail.xml 20137251 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/volkswagen-chattanooga-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/volkswagen-chattanooga-opt.jpg <![CDATA[How Germany builds 2x as many cars as U.S. while paying 2x the salaries]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/how-germany-builds-2x-as-many-cars-as-u-s-while-paying-2x-the-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/how-germany-builds-2x-as-many-cars-as-u-s-while-paying-2x-the-s/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/27/how-germany-builds-2x-as-many-cars-as-u-s-while-paying-2x-the-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

volkswagen chattanooga

First, let's put some salient numbers on the table: 5.5 million versus 2.7 million and $67.14 per hour versus $33.77 per hour.

The first set of numbers belong to Germany, and represent the total number of vehicles built in 2010 and the average wage of an autoworker in that country. The second set of numbers are the equivalent figures from the United States. In other words, twice as many vehicles are built in Germany every year than in the U.S., and German autoworkers make double what their American counterparts earn.

Interestingly enough, all three major German automakers - the BMW, Daimler and Volkswagen groups - operate facilities in both their home market of Germany and in the U.S. And, just as intriguingly, the factory workers in the southern states of America who work for German automakers aren't paid wages that even come close to matching those of their German counterparts.

Why the disparity? According to an article from Remappingdebate.org, it has to do with an ongoing "race to the bottom" when it comes to wages in the U.S. and a mutually beneficial working relationship between German automakers and IG Metall, the German equivalent to the United Auto Workers union in the States. In short, German automakers are paying Americans less because they can.

There's an entire three-page article with commentary from industry insiders and other experts on the matter, and we suggest you read it for all the details on the great wage disparity that makes the U.S. a low-cost country for German automakers operating outside their home borders.

How Germany builds 2x as many cars as U.S. while paying 2x the salaries originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwgermanyig metallmercedes-benzuawunionsunited auto workersvolkswagenwages in americawages in germanyTue, 27 Dec 2011 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20135922/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/27/how-germany-builds-2x-as-many-cars-as-u-s-while-paying-2x-the-s/20135922/article-detail.xml 20135922 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/vw-chat_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/vw-chat.jpg <![CDATA[Two UAW officials sentenced to prison for strike-related extortion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/two-uaw-officials-sentenced-to-prison-for-strike-related-extorti/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/two-uaw-officials-sentenced-to-prison-for-strike-related-extorti/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/22/two-uaw-officials-sentenced-to-prison-for-strike-related-extorti/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

UAW logo

Danny Douglas and Jay Campbell, have been sentenced to 18 months and 12 months plus one day, respectively, after being convicted of extortion. It seems the two former United Auto Workers officials agreed to end an 87-day strike at a GM plant in Pontiac, MI back in 1997 - but only after General Motors agreed to hire Campbell's son and the son of another UAW official for high-paying jobs they were evidently not qualified for.

It's been a rather long and winding road for Douglas and Campbell. According to the Detroit Free Press, the case first went to trial in 2002, and in 2003, the charges were dismissed by U.S. District Judge Nancy Edmunds. Shortly thereafter, a trio of judges from the U.S. Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed that decision and reinstated the charges.

The maximum penalty allowed for the pair of law breakers - both are now 70 years old - was up to 30 years in prison and fines of $750,000. Judge Edmunds, however, sentenced them much less strictly, with six months of house arrest and two years of probation. Both Douglas and Campbell appealed the ruling, and the case went back to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals.

That was apparently a bad move on their part. Their convictions were upheld and the Sixth Circuit actually sent the case back to Judge Edmunds, ruling that her sentences were too lenient. So now, it's off to prison for Douglas and Campbell.

Two UAW officials sentenced to prison for strike-related extortion originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Dec 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>danny douglasextortiongeneral motorsjay campbellpontiac michiganuawunited auto workersThu, 22 Dec 2011 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20132063/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/22/two-uaw-officials-sentenced-to-prison-for-strike-related-extorti/20132063/article-detail.xml 20132063 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-logo-large_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-logo-large.jpg <![CDATA[Ex-car czar Rattner says Auto Task Force should have pushed for more cuts]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/ex-car-czar-rattner-says-auto-task-force-should-have-pushed-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/ex-car-czar-rattner-says-auto-task-force-should-have-pushed-for/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/16/ex-car-czar-rattner-says-auto-task-force-should-have-pushed-for/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Steven Rattner, Auto Task Force head

The government's Auto Task Force was given the difficult task of saving General Motors and Chrysler at a time when the credit markets were frozen and the economy was in chaos. The team ultimately got the job done by ushering the two iconic companies through extraordinarily short bankruptcies.

Former car czar Steven Rattner headed the Task Force through those tough times, and though he characterizes the bailouts as a success, he feels the United Auto Workers could have given more. The Detroit News reports that Rattner told the Detroit Economic Club that the Task Force should have insisted on UAW wage cuts. Rattner added that the wages of UAW workers is still higher than that of the foreign competition.

Rattner also pointed out that bondholders weren't asked to sacrifice enough, adding that a traditional bankruptcy would have meant that those investors would have likely lost everything.

In total, the U.S. government spent $82 billion in taxpayer money to bailout GM and Chrysler. That's a whole heap of coin, and the U.S. government estimates that it will lose $14 billion when all of its GM shares are sold. Even so, Rattner estimates that the bailout saved "millions" of manufacturing jobs.

Ex-car czar Rattner says Auto Task Force should have pushed for more cuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto task forcebailoutcar czarchryslergmgovernmentrattnersteven rattneruawunited auto workersFri, 16 Dec 2011 14:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20129575/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/16/ex-car-czar-rattner-says-auto-task-force-should-have-pushed-for/20129575/article-detail.xml 20129575 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/steven-rattner-car-czar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/steven-rattner-car-czar.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan UAW's most likely target?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/#commentsFiled under: , ,

UAW President Bob King

It appears the UAW has not finished casting about for a transplanted carmaker to target for unionization. Recent months have seen small-arms fire aimed at BMW and Hyundai, now UAW head Bob King has pointed artillery at Nissan, with King "accusing the Japanese automaker of unspecified human rights violations at its factories in Tennessee and Mississippi."

The UAW has attempted to organize Nissan's workforce before, and it didn't work. Supposedly it is devoting more resources to this effort, but other than King's accusations and statements that the UAW is talking to "top leaders at Nissan," it isn't clear how much commitment is involved. With no publicly stated target, is this another act of probing the chances at success or truly an all-out push? Nissan North America said King hasn't spoken to anyone there, and VP David Reuter said that King's "attempts to disparage Nissan are without merit."

Based on insider and outsider commentary, the UAW needs to do something soon to up its membership. With less than 400,000 members, even King feels that "If we don't organize these transnationals, I don't think there's a long-term future for the UAW."

Nissan UAW's most likely target? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kingnissannissan uawnissan uniontennesseeuawunionizingunited auto workersThu, 15 Dec 2011 09:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20123787/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/15/nissan-uaws-most-likely-target/20123787/article-detail.xml 20123787 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-bob-king_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/uaw-bob-king.jpg <![CDATA[UAW pickets Hyundai dealerships to support Korean worker]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/04/uaw-picketing-hyundai-dealerships-to-support-korean-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/04/uaw-picketing-hyundai-dealerships-to-support-korean-workers/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/04/uaw-picketing-hyundai-dealerships-to-support-korean-workers/#commentsFiled under: ,

uaw logoThe United Auto Workers protested outside Hyundai dealers in the U.S. last week, though not for the reasons you might think. Automotive News reports that the UAW picketed key U.S. Hyundai dealerships yesterday in response to an incident that took place halfway around the world.

The protest was in support of a Korean union employee who was reportedly fired for reporting sexual harassment at a Hyundai subcontractor. UAW spokeswoman Michele Martin was quick to point out that the union was not picketing Hyundai, and added that the move was not part of the organization's drive to organize transplant automakers.

The Hyundai dealership protest can be looked at as a warm-up for the UAW, which previously stated that it would organize U.S. operations of a foreign automaker in 2011. (That target has since been pushed further into the future.) The union has reportedly been training protesters how to demonstrate at auto dealer showrooms.

UAW pickets Hyundai dealerships to support Korean worker originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kingdealershiphyundaikoreaprotestsexual harrasmentuawunionSun, 04 Dec 2011 12:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20118119/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/04/uaw-picketing-hyundai-dealerships-to-support-korean-workers/20118119/article-detail.xml 20118119 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/uaw-250-1317135296_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/09/uaw-250-1317135296.jpg <![CDATA[White collar salaries to overtake UAW labor costs next year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/white-collar-salaries-to-overtake-uaw-labor-costs-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/white-collar-salaries-to-overtake-uaw-labor-costs-next-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/01/white-collar-salaries-to-overtake-uaw-labor-costs-next-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Ford Wixom plant closing

According to a top researcher, labor costs for salaried employees at Chrysler, Ford and General Motors will surpass those of workers represented by the United Auto Workers for the first time next year. A report in Automotive News says the calculation was performed by the Center for Automotive Research (CAR), and made public at a recent conference.

Sean McAlinden, chief economist for CAR, explained the math like this. The Big Three's 66,000 salaried employees make an average of $122,500, or just over $8 billion in wages. That's a little more than the $7.9 billion that 115,000 hourly workers will take home at roughly $69,000 each.

Until 2009, McAlinden said, hourly employment had a decisive edge in total compensation, but plant closings and a paring down of the blue collar workforce have left salaried employees accounting for about 37 percent of the Big Three's American workers.

Is this just another sign of a shrinking UAW, or something more significant? It's hard to say, but the article hints that salaried workers could be the next targets for cost-cutting: "McAlinden said a recent pledge by General Motors CEO Dan Akerson to cut vehicle platforms by half and consolidate advertising with fewer agencies recognized that salaried labor costs are mounting."

White collar salaries to overtake UAW labor costs next year originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>big threeblue collarcenter for automotive researchchryslerfordgeneral motorsgmplant closinguawunited auto workersThu, 01 Dec 2011 09:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20117600/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/01/white-collar-salaries-to-overtake-uaw-labor-costs-next-year/20117600/article-detail.xml 20117600 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/wixom2356hr-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/wixom2356hr-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Senator Corker heckled at GM Spring Hill plant ceremony]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/senator-corker-heckled-at-gm-spring-hill-plant-ceremony/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/senator-corker-heckled-at-gm-spring-hill-plant-ceremony/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/11/28/senator-corker-heckled-at-gm-spring-hill-plant-ceremony/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) met a tough crowd last week at a ceremony announcing General Motors would once again produce vehicles in Spring Hill, Tennessee beginning next year. Autoworkers attending an event at the manufacturing facility booed and jeered Corker during his speech. According to The Detroit Free Press, the senator listened to the unruly crowd for nearly 20 seconds before saying, "I think everyone knows we've had our differences in the past. And I can tell today that's fine with you, and it's fine with me." The lawmaker then went on to urge the autoworkers to strive to make GM great once again.

Corker led the fight against the federal government's automotive bailout in 2009. He also pushed for further wage and benefit concessions from the United Auto Workers as part of the rescue package. Those efforts had a direct impact on many of the workers in attendance at the Spring Hill ceremony, and The Detroit Free Press reports that many employees at the plant feel Corker's work didn't do much to keep the plant from going dark earlier this year.

Senator Corker heckled at GM Spring Hill plant ceremony originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob corkerbob corker booedchevroletequinoxgeneral motorsgmspring hillspring hill tennesseeuawunited auto workersMon, 28 Nov 2011 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20115549/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/11/28/senator-corker-heckled-at-gm-spring-hill-plant-ceremony/20115549/article-detail.xml 20115549 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/bob-corker_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/11/bob-corker.jpg <![CDATA[Marchionne: Two-tier wage structure untenable]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/marchionne-two-tier-wage-structure-untenable/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/marchionne-two-tier-wage-structure-untenable/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/28/marchionne-two-tier-wage-structure-untenable/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Sergio MarchionneChrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has said that he hopes to end the automaker's two-tier wage structure in the company's next round of labor talks with the United Auto Workers. According to Automotive News, Marchionne said that the current system creates two classes of workers and that it isn't viable in the long term.

The CEO went on to say that the program is currently undermining efforts to make Chrysler and Fiat work together as a single entity. Ideally, Chrysler would have a single wage set that recognizes the level of worker involvement in generating profits for the company.

As Automotive News reminds us, domestic manufacturers won the right to pay entry-level workers a lower wage in 2007. UAW President Bob King has already made waves about doing away with the two-tier pay system, and Marchionne says that his views are consistent with those of the union leader. King said that the union originally left a one-tier system to help save domestic automakers, but now that Ford, General Motors and Chrysler are beginning to look healthy once again, workers want equal pay.

Marchionne: Two-tier wage structure untenable originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kingchrysler wagesmarchionnesergio marchionnetwo-tier wagesuawunited auto workerswagesFri, 28 Oct 2011 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20093157/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/28/marchionne-two-tier-wage-structure-untenable/20093157/article-detail.xml 20093157 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/sergio-marchionne-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/sergio-marchionne-250.jpg <![CDATA[UAW ratifies new four-year Chrysler labor contract]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/uaw-ratifies-new-four-year-chrysler-labor-contract/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/uaw-ratifies-new-four-year-chrysler-labor-contract/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/uaw-ratifies-new-four-year-chrysler-labor-contract/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toledo Jeep assembly plant

Chrysler and the United Auto Workers have officially agreed to a new four-year labor contract as the rank and file have voted in favor of the new agreement. A total of 54.8 percent of all Chrysler UAW workers gave the agreement a 'yes' vote.

The agreement helps keep wages in check for Chrysler, while providing some guarantees to blue collar workers. The pact calls for up to 2,100 additional jobs, which comes on top of the 2,500 jobs already added since 2009. Those workers will also receive improved profit sharing when the black ink begins to flow. The contract promises a more transparent bonus system calculated directly from profit performance. Chrysler also promises to increase investment in U.S. facilities by an additional $1.3 billion, bringing the total investment in plants to $4.5 billion since Team Pentastar's 2009 bankruptcy.

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was understandably happy to have the negotiations behind him, and he praised workers and the UAW. Marchionne added that the pain of bankruptcy won't be forgotten, adding that the contract "rewards [workers] for the current and potential future success of the Company while ensuring Chrysler Group will be able to remain competitive."

After very little fanfare and few bumps in the road, all members of the Detroit Three now have fresh UAW contracts in place. It's hard to believe that there were no strikes, few threats and minimal theatrics, and you'll hear no complaints from us. We'd rather talk about cars than contracts any day of the week. Hit the jump to read over the Chrysler press release.

Continue reading UAW ratifies new four-year Chrysler labor contract

UAW ratifies new four-year Chrysler labor contract originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bob kingchryslerchrysler contractchrysler uawcontractsergio marchionneuawunionunited auto workersWed, 26 Oct 2011 18:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20091436/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/26/uaw-ratifies-new-four-year-chrysler-labor-contract/20091436/article-detail.xml 20091436 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/jeep-assembly_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/jeep-assembly.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler-UAW contract expected to be ratified after Warren plant approval]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/chrysler-uaw-contract-expected-to-be-ratified-after-warren-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/chrysler-uaw-contract-expected-to-be-ratified-after-warren-plant/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/26/chrysler-uaw-contract-expected-to-be-ratified-after-warren-plant/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Chrysler Emblem

The Detroit News reports that the United Auto Workers is close to ratifying a new four-year labor contract with Chrysler. The company's Warren Truck Plant voted in favor of the new deal on Tuesday, with 70 percent of union workers there casting ballots for the measure. That vote followed the Toledo North Assembly Plant's 'yes' vote on Monday, which helped to stave off fears of a veto.

Early in the voting process, five Chrysler plants voted against the new labor contract, including locations in Michigan and Ohio, but The Detroit News reports that nine smaller UAW local chapters have since voted for the contract. With the addition of positive votes from the Warren Truck Plant and the Toledo North Assembly Plant, the deal is almost certain to pass.

Chrysler-UAW contract expected to be ratified after Warren plant approval originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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United Auto Workers LogoThe Detroit News reports that Chrysler workers are none too happy with the proposed four-year labor agreement drawn up by the Auburn Hills automaker and the United Auto Workers. UAW Local 372 has voted against ratification of the plan, with just 45 percent of members voting for the measure. The chapter represents workers at the Chrysler Trenton Engine Complex. In addition, UAW Local 869, which serves the Chrysler Warren Stamping Plant, also vetoed the labor contract with 54 percent of workers there voting against the contract.

The report indicates that four UAW chapters have voted against ratifying the labor agreement while three have voted for the measure. The final tally from a seventh chapter remains unclear. The UAW, meanwhile, is apparently working to keep a lid on early results, saying that the knowledge could sway the decisions of other chapters and that a local-by-local breakdown would be posted after all results were in. That's a different stance from how the union handled voting results with the Ford contract which saw results posted by chapter as soon as they were tabulated.

Early voting on Chrysler UAW contract not looking good originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Oct 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler uawchrysler votinglabor agreementuawuaw votingunited auto workersFri, 21 Oct 2011 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20087228/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/21/early-voting-on-chrysler-uaw-contract-not-looking-good/20087228/article-detail.xml 20087228 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/uaw-250-1319206184_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/uaw-250-1319206184.jpg <![CDATA[UAW finally ratifies new Ford contract, more details revealed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/uaw-finally-ratifies-new-ford-contract-more-details-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/uaw-finally-ratifies-new-ford-contract-more-details-revealed/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/19/uaw-finally-ratifies-new-ford-contract-more-details-revealed/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Ford Emblem

The United Auto Workers have ratified a new four-year labor agreement with Ford by a two-to-one margin. The deal will see the automaker add 12,000 hourly jobs over the course of the term by bringing some production back into the U.S. from overseas. The agreement will also see Ford invest $16 billion in domestic product development and manufacturing during that time, as well. The automaker says that it will increase production by adding another shift at its Auto Alliance International, Michigan Assembly, Chicago Assembly and Louisville Assembly facilities to prepare for projected increased demand for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Ford has also indicated that the company will move production of the F-650 and F-750 medium-duty commercial trucks from Mexico to its Avon Lake, Ohio facility once that plant stops making the current E-Series. The move will put an end to Ford's 10-year partnership with Navistar International. The two companies currently produces the medium-duty F-Series trucks in Escobedo, Mexico under the Blue Diamond LLC joint venture.

The ratification comes after a few worrisome days when it appeared that Ford could have faced its first strike in decades. Though the company's Chicago Assembly plant rejected the new labor agreement, the UAW Local 600 endorsed the deal earlier this week. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading UAW finally ratifies new Ford contract, more details revealed

UAW finally ratifies new Ford contract, more details revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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United Auto Workers LogoAutomotive News reports that the United Auto Workers is close to ratifying a new labor agreement with Ford. The union says that 63 percent of its members have voted in favor of the four-year deal, and that a total of 15,862 workers had voted for the agreement. The UAW said that 9,375 ballots have been cast against the measure, and voting is set to close today.

Ford is optimistic that the deal will be ratified, despite the fact that the company's Chicago assembly plant rejected the measure. If enough members follow suit, Ford could face a strike. While the UAW voted to ban strikes in negotiations with General Motors and Chrysler, the union held onto its biggest bargaining chip with Ford.

Still, UAW Local 600 voted for the measure. As the largest Ford local union, the Local 600 is viewed as a bellwether for negotiations with the automaker. With voting close to closing up, it appears as if both Ford and the UAW have managed to narrowly avoid a strike, which Ford hadn't faced since 1976.

Ford-UAW deal nears approval despite early dissent originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordford labor agreementford strikelabor agreementstrikeuawunionunited auto workersTue, 18 Oct 2011 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20084270/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/10/18/ford-uaw-deal-nears-approval-despite-early-dissent/20084270/article-detail.xml 20084270 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/uaw-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/uaw-250.jpg <![CDATA[UAW seems headed for a catastrophic confrontation]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/uaw-seems-headed-for-a-catastrophic-confrontation/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/uaw-seems-headed-for-a-catastrophic-confrontation/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/14/uaw-seems-headed-for-a-catastrophic-confrontation/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The Future Of The Union Hangs In The Balance

UAW President Bob King

Autoworkers are damned and determined to win back concessions.
The noises you might here if you drop in at Solidarity House - the headquarters of the UAW - this week are the sounds of union leaders scrambling to prevent what could be a catastrophic confrontation that is beginning to look increasingly inevitable.

In the weeks leading up to the mid-summer launch of contract talks with Detroit's Big Three, United Auto Workers Union President Bob King stressed that he was pushing for "creative problem solving." The best way to read that statement was that he was looking for a way to keep the automakers competitive in return for more jobs - while also seeking a way to sell new contracts to workers who were damned and determined to win back the concessions they'd made in recent years.

Paul EisensteinPaul A. Eisenstein is Publisher of TheDetroitBureau.com, and a 30-year veteran of the automotive beat. His editorials bring his unique perspective and deep understanding of the auto world to Autoblog readers on a regular basis.

Continue reading UAW seems headed for a catastrophic confrontation

UAW seems headed for a catastrophic confrontation originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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