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A number of people here have been downsized, or achieved re-training and took control of their lives...you seem to be afraid that if a UAW member did the same thing that they might actually realize just how stupid they were while being a UAW member...dumb enough to actually think that a floorsweeper is worth $35/hour (yes, that analogy does keep coming back because it is wholly representative of the ridiculous thinking of that entire union)...yes, they will probably have to move out of Michigan, but that is a given anyway...the only people who will stay in Michigan are the elderly who have their Soc Sec checks and the independently wealthy whose interest and dividends let them live anywhere...
According to the Wall Street Journal investigative report on the Jobs Bank, the UAW workers had several options at their disposal. They could sit and read the funny papers, get training for a new field or do community service. Most opted for sitting in the rubber room and collecting their FULL pay for doing absolutely nothing. Sitting all day long reading the paper or watching cartoons does not sound like a very ambitious out of work employee. So you are probably correct. They could go to college and if by some stroke of luck they even made it through the first year, would probably not be employable in any other field of endeavour. The UAW can be proud of one thing. They destroyed the incentive to work for several generations of auto workers.
Also just remember we went through a few major recessions under your hero Reagan.
Reagan was elected because of the Horrible recession caused by Jimmy Carter ONE. Now we have Jimmy Carter TWO that will push us into a worse recession, possibly a depression. We are still a long ways from being as bad as it was in 1979. Interest rates for cars at 20%. Home interest rate 15%. The rich liked it as they were getting 17% on Treasury bills. When Reagan got the interest back under control the wealthy retirees were complaining because they 17% gravy train came to a screeching halt. There was no reason in the late 1970s to start or stay in business. You could put your money in the bank and make more than Exxon is making on oil.
Yes, but if you continue to make MORE than you spend, $12.9 billion in the bank has to buy nothing, and will last as long as you do make more than you spend.
He already sounds way better than Wagoner.
Let's not pick on Lemko. Lemko, based upon your posts here, it appears you like big, soft, American-style boat cars (not meant to be derogatory at all). And you've logically chosen among the best cars that offer those features. And they are among the best in reliability of GM's vehicles. So your love of GM is actually pretty logical. You mention the Avalon and MB as possible non-GM cars, so even in foreign makes your preferences are more toward larger, softer luxury sedans. Hence no BMWs, no SUVs, no Trucks, etc.
It's just that most younger people like SUVs, mommy-mobiles, sporty cars, etc. So even if Lemko likes GMs bigger iron cars, that's not a market that is going to make them successful, as there are much bigger markets of smaller cars, sportier cars, in addition to the Trucks and SUVs that could represent big sales for GM. So GM has excelled more in the truck/big suv/big car areas. When the market went soft, those were the hardest hit parts of the market.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090407/BUSINESS01/90407055/1210/BUSINESS/Chrysler- +bankruptcy+risk+greater+than+70+++more+than+GM++report+says
Their workmanship has been shoddy for years, their attitude is disgraceful, and they expect to be paid like royalty to perform a job that can be taught to the uneducated in many other nations, probably in a day or less...they consider themselves "skilled" when promitive 3rd world nations can do the work...they are like our current high school graduates, who have the highest self-esteem in the world, but their performance in academics comes in at the lower third level...so what we really have is the uneducated and ignorant, but are they ever proud of their lack of abilities...
The UAW must be dissolved so that normalcy will return to our industry...they make some of the worst products and have the gall to demand that we buy them to save their jobs...if they had one iota of introspection, they would have seen this coming years ago, but they just marched like lemmings...
rocky always likes to comment on those who listen to Rush or Hannity like mindless fools, even tho all we do is listen on the radio...consider the idiots in the UAW who strike because some higher-up idiot tells them to do so, striking plants where the company actually makes decent cars, and he calls US the lemmings???...have you ever considered that the average UAW member acts like one of the ants in an anthill, acting like a drone, waiting for the "queen" to tell him what to do...you think your UAW is full of independent thinking people???...just tha act of being in the UAW shows they are mindless, and you criticize peopl who listen to radio???
The UAW has attracted the lowest mentality worker to make some of the lowest quality cars the world has ever seen (OK, maybe the Yugo was the worst), and rocky thinks they are a model of what a company should become???...once the UAW is dead, and it eventually will be, the entire world will be better off...
Unions killed the steel industry, Eastern Airlines, and who knows how many other industries in theis country...they are killing the auto industry and they still, in 2009, are too stupid to see it...but, when you consider that they actually believe that a floorsweeper should be paid $35/hour, you will understand where the stupidity comes from...probably from the Michigan public schools, since that is probably where most of the UAW members have come from in the last 20-30 years...
That is my take also. I had a set of MXV4 Primacy 94V tires installed on my wife's Lexus this morning. I got them from Discount Tire that beat Costco's Michelin sale by $40. I was visiting with the manager in this well run shop. I asked what a guy changing tires makes to start. He said $9.50 to $10 per hour. He added that all the guys in the shop are part time. They are ALL college students and he gives them flexible hours to fit with their classes. That job changing tires is probably more skilled than the average UAW worker is required to have. The point is those kinds of jobs should be entry level for several reasons. One as you age the work is tough on an older person. If the wage is held to a reasonable level the worker will strive for a better job. Why would anyone try to excel if he is getting $30 an hour to install lug nuts?
The manager also told me he gets the pick of the kids as most of the smaller tire shops only pay minimum wage. So to my way of thinking the new hires at GM getting $15 per hour are over paid by about double. And the lines applying for those few jobs will bear me out. They changed all 4 tires mounted and balanced in 22 minutes. It was real team work and a pleasure to watch them work together. They are the future not some kid that thinks he is worth $30 per hour for an unskilled job.
Sounds like a good description of public sector unions, too. When will the shrill globalist pseudo-right go after them?
We are all pulling for you ya know!
I actually spoke to the lady from H.R. today. She really likes me thus I think I have a decent chance. She has more cleavage than Pamela Anderson, thus it was a tough interview to stay focused. :P So as of right now I'm still being considered but the people who make the final selection are out of town for the next couple of days thus I will not hear anything before Friday. I as I said am trying to look outside of automobile sales to keep my options diverse. I applied for a warehouse clerk job at a cheese company and tomorrow a managers position at a grocery chain that pays very well. So after tomorrow it will be like 10 jobs I've applied for thus far.
I do appreciate the support!!!
-Rocky
-Rocky
I think you are mistaken because not many midwesterners are going to expensive California, for vacations or retirement. They are going to Florida.
Rocky, you need to use the google button. Michigan is SMALL potatoes when it comes to oil and natural gas. Your gas fields peaked in 1993 and last year you were only able to supply 25% of your own needs. Most of your Natural gas comes from TX and Canada. You were 12th in the US for production in 2006. Your reserves are dwindling. Why do you think that Sarah Palin wants to build a gas line down through Canada. To supply YOU and your Midwest neighbors. Alaska has the largest reserves outside of the Middle East.
This could also be why many industries are moving out of Michigan. Not only horrible labor issues with the UAW, they no longer have the energy needed to run the plants.
I suggest you do the same!!! We have enough Natural Gas to supply the U.S. for the next 25 years if we only used what we have in our reserves!!! You continue to amaze me gagrice!!!! :confuse:
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/mpsc/reports/energy/energyoverview/
-Rocky
P.S. I hope you learned your lesson cuz class is in session Mr. Gagrice!!! :shades: :P
You wouldn't want to apply at Pininfarina-Bollore, they're building the all-electric powertrain cars called the BlueCars in Turin, Italy. Do you like Europe. Heck, in reality they'd probably disrespect you because you're from America. I don't know.
The hospital I work at recently hired Security personnel. There's now 2 full-time people working direct for the hospital and one guy working per diem. The direct hires get $15.00/hour. It's a 7:00PM - 7:00AM job. One guy is having trouble falling asleep during his shift.
They don't carry guns, just these large flashlights that can double as head-bonkers if need be. Would be an easy and boring job.
Willcox, AZ, is located 80 miles east of Tucson, AZ.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Michigan imports 97 percent of its petroleum needs, 80 percent of its natural gas and 100 percent of coal and nuclear fuel from other states and nations.
Michigan has substantial natural gas reserves - more than any other State in the Great Lakes region. The State's Antrim natural gas fields in the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula are among the largest gas producing geological formations of this type in the United States. Michigan natural gas production peaked in 1997 at 280 billion cubic feet per year. In-state production has since declined to 161 billion cubic feet in 2007.
Natural Gas Reserves - 3,065 billion cubic feet, share of U.S. 1.5 percent
There is not very much gas in the Great Lakes. So Michigan is a big fish in a little pond.
Yeah she was all smiles. Probably in her mid to late 30's.
Be thinking about training as a Certified Respiratory Therapist, Radiology Tech or a Nurse of some variety. I'm tellin' ya, this is the way to head.
Those are dead jobs around here pal. We are laying off nurses and my step-cousin Lisa, has been looking for a full-time Rad Tech job for the last year and a half. She is doing the traveling thingy going to homes. Not exactly what she pictured she would be doing to get some hours.
You wouldn't want to apply at Pininfarina-Bollore, they're building the all-electric powertrain cars called the BlueCars in Turin, Italy. Do you like Europe. Heck, in reality they'd probably disrespect you because you're from America. I don't know.
My relatives from Norway, love americans. They said I look like one of them. The Germans, like americans but some of our soldiers are so immature they ruin there perception of us. We are very arrogant as a people despite the fact that they are on average a helluva a lot smarter than your average american. We have a natural resource advantage. If it wasn't for that advantage you would be typing German, to me right now!!!
The hospital I work at recently hired Security personnel. There's now 2 full-time people working direct for the hospital and one guy working per diem. The direct hires get $15.00/hour. It's a 7:00PM - 7:00AM job. One guy is having trouble falling asleep during his shift.
That is pretty good pay for a rent a cop. Personally I don't want to do security without at least my Glock 17 on my hip or in my trousers concealed. I have been trained by some of the best on the planet and armed security is my area of expertise. I went and obtained my CCW last summer to give me another option in the security field. I think when I whipped out my CCW in front of the H.R. lady saying they just don't give these away like Halloween candy thus my background has been already been investigated it was a turn on for her. I was very flirty with her.
I also just recently applied at a facility that makes vaccines for diseases. It is a armed position. Why wouldn't I??? :P
They don't carry guns, just these large flashlights that can double as head-bonkers if need be. Would be an easy and boring job.
Willcox, AZ, is located 80 miles east of Tucson, AZ.
AZ, is just too darn hot for whitey.
-Rocky
-Rocky
Alaska’s North Slope has extensive hydrocarbon reserves, including natural gas. To date, 35 trillion cubic feet of natural gas have been discovered. These are considered to be marketable reserves, which could be developed at low cost with existing technology
That does not include the Natural Gas in other parts of the state. There are large fields in the Kenai that supply inexpensive gas to most of the states residents. Ask Obama the difference between a billion and a Trillion. Alaska has 11,000 times more known gas reserves than does Michigan. And Alaska unions respect the goose that lays the golden egg. Something the UAW needed to learn. I think it is too late.
-Rocky
I just know that Michigan, has a large reserve for it's small size. Some of you act like our state has nothing to offer this country. We have a lot more to offer thuis country than some place like Wyoming.
-Rocky
OK, I misread your link. You have 3 trillion cubic feet in known reserve. At your current usage of 161 billion cubic feet per year you have 19 years reserve. If you could produce enough to fulfill your total states needs it would last 3.8 years. So you have less than 4 years known reserves of natural gas for just the state of Michigan.
You have to remember our friend T Boone has an agenda to sell lots of gas. He owns lots of gas. Probably more than the state of Michigan has in reserve. Running all the cars on Natural gas is a pipe dream.
I don't have a lot of confidence in Fritz Henderson. Wagoner, was twice the leader. The guy who should be in charge is Bob Lutz, until he decides to retire IMHO. It would add confidence to potential investors.
-Rocky
Is your name really Joe Biden. You keep sticking your foot in your mouth. Wyoming has a great deal more to offer than Michigan. And a lot less deadbeat UAW workers to contend with. Not to mention your horrible welfare roles in Detroit.
In 2007 the BLM office in Wyoming plans to issue 4,545 new drilling permits, a 300 percent increase over 2002.
There are already 26,900 wells in the state, the vast majority drilled in the past five years. Within the next decade gas companies plan to drill over 51,000 more. The 24 trillion cubic feet of recoverable natural gas beneath Wyoming is enough to power the entire country for one year.
Here is your true evidence. 24 Trillion Cubic Feet will power the country for one year. That is 8 times more than Michigan has. That means Michigan could power the US for about a month and a half.
-Rocky
It is also a dangerous line of work. You can be lacerated on just about any object in the plant. Robots can kill you if you manage to get in their way, or the line can grab onto your clothing or hair and drag you in. The parts are heavy and have many sharp edges. I have personally seen people fall over from heat exhaustion and be dragged off the line while the person next to them did their job to keep the the line moving and to keep the supervisors from coming after us. Working in an automobile plant will almost guarantee you some kind of permanent hearing loss or work related degenerative condition if you work there long enough. Examples of some of these conditions include, carpal tunnel syndrome, back problems, leg problems, arthritis and various forms of cancer that are caused due to exposure to chemicals in that environment.
The UAW makes sure that we get fair pay and benefits for working in an environment like that. If it wasn't for the Union, we would not have the the safety standards that we have today in my workplace or any other. The Union also makes sure we get safety goggles and work gloves that we do not have to pay for so we can come to work and do our job. Unions also champion Equal Pay for Equal Work. Every woman on the same job as a man makes the same amount as a man. Good luck finding that in many other jobs, especially non-union jobs.
Interesting fact, did you know that in the late 40's and early 50's Walter Reuther, President of the UAW at that time, suggested to GM that they should build a car that has high MPG and is easily affordable to the masses. The Management at GM disregarded that in lieu of higher profit models that had bigger engines and cost more. Just an FYI.
Do you know what a Union is Defined as? "An organization of employees formed to bargain with the employer." Look it up your self. Our only act we can perform is to STRIKE when we feel that we are being treated unfairly. For you to insult us by saying we act like "ants in an anthill" is degrading at best. It is called SOLIDARITY. We stay together because there is power in numbers. We work for the betterment of all workers, not just an individual worker.
Also, your point about a floor sweeper making $35/hour, that is absolutely not true. Our plant has an outside company come in and do the maintenance. That was one of the many concessions in the last Local Agreement that was negotiated between our Local Union and the Plant Management. The workers from that company make about $9 - $12/hour.
My point is that there is a lot of blame to go around. Do not just blame labor for wanting a better quality of life, after all, GM, Ford, and Chrysler agreed to the labor contracts in the end. Both sides negotiated for what they each wanted.
P.S. My plant has some of the highest quality and productivity of any auto plant in the country, domestic or foreign. The product that is produced at my plant has been independently rated to be of the highest quality in the nation from any auto manufacturer, several times. We make the 4T65E FWD transmission, the 6T70E FWD and AWD transmission, and the 6T75E FWD and AWD transmission.
GM Powertrain (Formerly Hydramatic)
UAW Local 909
Warren, MI
On any other April 1st, a headline that reads “Rick Wagoner and Bob Lutz Leave General Motors” might have seemed like one of those April Fool’s spoof stories. But that’s the bulletin of the day. G.M.’s chairman and product czar have, shockingly, left their respective offices within a day or two of each other.
Wyoming, is nothing but a bunch of redneck, tobacco spittin, cowboy wannabe, illiterate, hicks whom haven't left the ranch or the city limits of Cheyenne. That state could blow up and we wouldn't notice. They have nothing to offer but a Bison Burger. The Welfare roles in Detroit, have more to offer to society than Wyoming. I know you like Wyoming, because your hero Stalin, I mean Cheney is from there, right??? :P
-Rocky
Do you still want to be doing that hard work when you are 65?
-Rocky
Funny guy. That was my impression of Michigan when I visited back in the 1970s. :shades:
-Rocky
-Rocky
-Rocky
-Rocky
imidazol97, will be more than happy to direct you if you need assistance!!!
-Rocky
-Rocky
I saw my first 2006.5 Kia Optima on the streets of Jackson, WY, too. That was in the spring of 2006, the 2006.5 Kia Optima had just came out, this one was bright white and it snagged my attention while driving in downtown Jackson.
There's a great visitor center in town that describes the wildlife, it has stuffed animals of all of the varieties available in Teton and Yellowstone Parks. Evidently there is a nasty earthquake fault running underneath Jellystone Park, Pocatello, ID, is a town I lived and worked in for a while, it is not far from the west entrance to Yellowstone Park. I love the colorful mineral pools and Old Faithful Geyser in Yellowstone National Park. Gorgeous natural scenery mixed in with all of the wildlife.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
It is not free because they factor that into the MSRP. I did mention the idea to a suit from GM. He thought it was a very good idea.
-Rocky
Read a earlier reply to tlong.
-Rocky
-Rocky
-Rocky
-Rocky
-Rocky