United Automobile Workers of America (UAW)

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Comments

  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    well, ya know, I think you're gonna do just fine at Toyota. They are still going great guns and you should be able to earn a decent living.

    You have a passion for cars so just concentrate on selling them and you'll do great.

    Congratulations! :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Good Luck!

    Thanks Volvomax :)

    At least this ought to get you away from slurping that rotting carcass that is SAAB.

    ROTFLMAO !!!! :D You really have a thing for Saab. I think you are a in the closet admirer. :P

    -Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    I appreciate what you are saying and can see your point of view but the UAW or unions in general are not dead. I believe as times get tougher and the rich get
    greedier (if that's possible) the more likely unions like the UAW, will once again gain power and support. I'm not saying this just applies to the automobile industry either. ;)

    I will say this much I would not work for Honda, period !!!! That would be a major slap in my family's face after that they have done publicly. :mad:

    -Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    iluv,

    Thanks pal.

    Is there any automobile plants in Arizona ?

    -Rocky
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    I don;t think unions are dead. I think they are on the wrong swing of the pendulum right now. Things will swing the other way at one point but what comes out then may be something that looks completely different that what any of us might imagine.

    Right now you see a good path for yourself. You owe it to both you and those who depend on you to give it your best shot which I have no doubt you will do.

    You'll find things about Toyota to be passionate about. It would be easier of you'd be selling Hondas but hey...
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    that brought unions to the forefront back in the 1940s, and considering that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, I would not be surprised to see the pendulum swing back, but 10-20 years from now or more, nothing in the upcoming immediate future...pendulums swing very powerfully, but very slowly...

    Actually, I believe it was said, "the one thing we have learned from history is that we have learned nothing from history"...
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    Yeah. That's kind of what I had in mind.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    FINALLY!!!! A mole on the other side ;)

    Good luck Rocky!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,711
    About the union on strike that writes scripts for people on TV programs. Is there a difference between that union and the UAW? Is it viewed differently because we "like" sitting in front of TV watching talking heads acting like they just thought of what they just said when it really was created weeks before by a writer?

    Could't this work be done cheaper by people in another country? Or by nonunion writers?

    Is there hypocrisy at work here?

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,711
    Picture Rockylee driving an xB to and from work. Then getting into his Chevy SS to run errands.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    With a weakening US dollar and more competitive union contracts, exporting vehicles to Europe from the US is looking more and more plausible with each passing day. General Motors may soon be utilizing its under-worked US plants to pull off just such a thing, and the Opel Zafira could well be the first model built in the States for Euro consumption. Automobilwoche in Europe is reporting that Opel worker's council head Klaus Franz called a US-built Zafira a "distinct possibility", and that Chevrolet is planning on building a similar model for the U.S. market in mid-2009.

    If GM can pull off building a vehicle in the States destined for Europe, it would strengthen its plant utilization in North America while also increasing European capacity. While there is only a slight chance this will happen, we think it would be a huge stride towards profitability in the General's largest market.

    North American cars IMPORTED to Europe???? Could it be???? :surprise:
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    I would agree. No venom being spewed at the writers. Although, I wonder about some sort of "class warfare" here that would say UAW workers are just dumb HS grads that don't deserve to be that successful, yet these writers are well educated, college grads with a wonderful talent and they should reap the rewards.

    I say, more power to BOTH of them: get whatever you can out of your employer. If you are a good, honest, hard working employee, you deserve it.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Then there are people you really can't sympathize with when they go on strike - like Major League Baseball did in 1994.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...if GM really gets its act together and you do well in the automotive sales field, would you ever consider jumping ship to work for a GM franchise? Heck, I might even go all the way out to Michigan to buy a Cadillac or Buick from you!
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,711
    Maybe it's because the media talking heads know writers and an emphasize with them. Autoworkers are just some remote dropout (in their mind) that builds cars for more money than the talking heads should be making.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    outcry about the writer's strike because no one really cares...folks watching less and less netowrk TV, news shows do not need writers, and maybe by turning off the TV more families will begin communicating...

    aside from news and weather, and Seinfeld reruns, I could care less about TV...I do watch Grey's Anatomy, but I could stop that in a heartbeat...

    Fire them like Reagan fired the air traffic controllers...:):):):):)
  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    Fire them like Reagan fired the air traffic controllers

    Now, now, you know that can't happen. I would assume that a writer, much like the actor that portrays the character being written about, is part of that character's heart, soul and personality. Hiring some scab writer to write a show may not cut it for the wiewers if the story isn't written "right". Not to mention that the actors may not be willing to cross the picket line. For myself, the strike won't affect pro sports, so I could care less.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    marsha7: outcry about the writer's strike because no one really cares...folks watching less and less netowrk TV, news shows do not need writers, and maybe by turning off the TV more families will begin communicating...

    Most people don't have a good idea of what goes into putting together a television show or motion picture. They know what actors do, and have a hazy idea of what directors do. But they have a hard time comparing what a writer does to what they do in their jobs.

    Also, as part of "show business," writing for a major Hollywood production still seems at least somewhat glamorous. After all, those writers are probably working directly with A-list (and B-list) stars and directors.

    The majority of people have a pretty good idea of what skill level and education level are needed to assemble automobiles.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    cooterbfd: Hiring some scab writer to write a show may not cut it for the wiewers if the story isn't written "right".

    The real problem writers face is age discrimination. Writers over the age of 50 have a tougher time pitching their stories to new vice presidents who probably think movies began with Star Wars. Hollywood is tremendously "youth driven."

    I remember reading about award-winning writers who couldn't get work after a certain age because of Hollywood's bias in favor of youth. Couple that trend with increasing use of unscripted reality shows, and writers face formidable obstacles.

    Don't know if going on strike can really do anything about these trends...
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,711
    >because no one really cares...folks watching less and less netowrk

    Point well taken. I hadn't thought of that but it's true for me. I have a few cable shows and rarely the late night shows Leno/Letterman if I can't sleep--they put me to sleep fast.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,711
    Hey Rocky,

    Can you hook me up for a good deal on a Camry? :P

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • cooterbfdcooterbfd Member Posts: 2,770
    So THAT'S what happened to Norman Lear ;)
  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    Yeah, it was just a fleeting thought, bringing back in my mind the good old days of Reagan (that thought will generate more irate responses than anything else)...

    You are right...actors won't cross the picket line, yada, yada, yada...my real point is that WE make TV too important in our lives, more than it ever should be...we no longer watch for occasional entertainment, but some folks are simply glued to the tube...some kids never interact with their parents as the TV babysits them all day...

    If the writer's strike caused TV viewership to drop, the country would be better off on the whole, as it rarelt offers much...sure, Discovery, History, Learning Channels do offer educational shows, but, for the most part, TV really offers us little...

    While sports do occupy some folks time, the actual importance of sports to the running of the world is nil, basically with overgrown children being paid megabucks (I know, free market) to play children's games, and sometimes being paid to act like children...

    For the man/woman who says that they can't live without TV sports, I am truly concerned...not that I care, but I am concerned...(sounds like feelgood talk to me...:):):)...)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I quit TV in '99 but the couch lives on in front of the net. But you really should take it to Off Topic Chatter, where there reportedly are several TV related topics. There's also a place there to chat about Bedtime for Bonzo and other significant films. :P

    The Ford vote continues for the next 5 days - Ford lost money this last quarter and sales are plunging. Approval by the UAW of the contract would help, and the sale of Land Rover/Jag may be near.

    27,000 line employees have left Ford via buyouts. Another 10,000 salary jobs have disappeared and two factories are shuttered. The next question is how many of the 54,000 UAW/Ford jobs will go in the next round of cuts. (Forbes)
  • hankster3hankster3 Member Posts: 1
    Unions suck they are for the lazy workers who want more money to sit on there [non-permissible content removed]'s. Now international is on strike and forcing the economy worse. They need to stop being so damn greedy and start working for a living. They are making other companies to layoff or fire people. They need to be happy that they even have a job. I hope they fell like crap for the people that are losing there jobs and having to give up buying food for themselves. If you don't understand were I am coming from you should be locked up in prison and let rot.
  • fezofezo Member Posts: 10,386
    And a good day to you as well.
    2015 Mazda 6 Grand Touring, 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatchback, 1999 Mazda Miata 2004 Toyota Camry LE, 1999.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    ...if GM really gets its act together and you do well in the automotive sales field, would you ever consider jumping ship to work for a GM franchise? Heck, I might even go all the way out to Michigan to buy a Cadillac or Buick from you!

    You might get your opportunity pal sooner rather than later. ;) My professional trainer from TK Worldwide had 34 people he had return out of a hundred and something interviews. Well shockingly to all of us 34 people who are in training and only 15 sales jobs at the Toyota dealer well didn't add up. :surprise: Well he didn't lie to me or others when he said we all had a job but where is the question ???? :surprise: Well I learned that our local Saturn dealer wants some of us now and six more dealers are interested in us. So Rocky, might jump ship for friendlier GM waters because that is where I probably should be and would have the most passion selling. Not to brag but I consider myself a GM automobile expert on current GM products. I have more knowledge about General Motors, than your average bear. It would also sooth my emotional soul of selling UAW made products to my clients.
    However it works out I will give it 110% but this actually turned out to be good news and I'm confident even better news will be available tomorrow. :)

    -Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Can you hook me up for a good deal on a Camry?

    Well not yet !!! Perhaps next week ? Well then again I might beable to hook you up on a Aura, or some other GM, product. I will find out much more tomorrow. My professional trainer is awesome. I have learned a lot and taking this chance will get me where I want to be. :shades:

    -Rocky
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I hear Saturn is a great place to start off when one considers automotive sales as a new career.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    This story never seems dated to me:

    "We hired Chandler Phillips, a veteran journalist, to go undercover by working at two new car dealerships in the Los Angeles area. First, he would work at a high-volume, high-pressure dealership selling Japanese cars. Then, he'd change over to a smaller car lot that sold domestic cars at "no haggle" prices."

    Confessions of a Car Salesman

    Surely there are some undercover "I was a UAW autoworker" stories out there somewhere?
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Surely there are some undercover "I was a UAW autoworker" stories out there somewhere?

    I doubt it. Once they got a good UAW job, why would they want to go back as a low paid writer? I can see it with a Honda or Toyota line worker. :)
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    There was a writer who worked on the line and wrote stories under the name of "Rivet Head," if I recall correctly. He worked at a GM truck plant in the Upper Midwest.

    The picture he painted of both workers and management wasn't too flattering. This was in the 1990s; don't know if things are still the same today.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    gagrice: Once they got a good UAW job, why would they want to go back as a low paid writer? I can see it with a Honda or Toyota line worker.

    Except that Toyota workers have been getting bonuses, while UAW members recently voted for a pay cut for new workers, along with work rule changes to make their employers more competitive.

    Plus, Honda and Toyota workers aren't as worried about their whether their employer will still be in business down the road. ;)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Sounds like a good read (Rivethead: Tales from the Assembly Line). Michael Moore wrote the foreword (link).
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I'm not sure we can consider a laid off UAW worker as the same kind of source that an undercover investigative reporter would be. Though I am sure he was being truthful about what went on while he was there.
  • grbeckgrbeck Member Posts: 2,358
    I'm sure that part of Mr. Hamper's (and Mr. Moore's) motivation was to shine a spotlight on the lot of blue-collar UAW members and increase our sympathy for them.

    What they really ended up doing was selling Toyotas and Hondas to readers looking for a well-assembled vehicle, thus making sure that there would be fewer UAW members in the future.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I hear Saturn is a great place to start off when one considers automotive sales as a new career.

    Only if you don't want to learn how the business really works, and you are ok with making no money.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Seriously, go to Toyota.
    You have a much better chance of making money.
    Selling domestics is a dead end unless you can get into Fleet Sales.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Selling domestics is a dead end unless you can get into Fleet Sales.

    I am not so sure about that...

    He is in Michigan, keep that in mind.
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    Seriously, go to Toyota.
    You have a much better chance of making money.


    Well if you consider 6 out of the curerent 18 selling cars only avg 13 toyota's a month good then you and I have a difference of opinion. That means a dozen of them are starving. :surprise:

    Selling domestics is a dead end unless you can get into Fleet Sales.

    I know you are trying to be sarcastic but the fact remains GM, sells more automobiles in the U.S. and worldwide than Toyota. ;)

    -Rocky
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    I'm also learning just how bad the business has become and actually Saturn, ranks as one of the highest in their CSI scores. ;)

    -Rocky
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I know you are trying to be sarcastic but the fact remains GM, sells more automobiles in the U.S. and worldwide than Toyota.

    No, I am being serious.
    1 GM has more dealers than Toyota in the US
    2 GM has a MUCH higher percentage of Fleet and Rental car sales than Toyota.

    Your best chance for unit sales,as well as gross average is at a Toyota store.
    But, what do I know, I've only been in the car business for 16 yrs ;)
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    I am not so sure about that...

    He is in Michigan, keep that in mind.


    most of that business is Employee price.
    Not alot of earning potential.
    As a salesman, the name of the game is gross profit.
    Selling cars for mini's won't pay the bills.
  • british_roverbritish_rover Member Posts: 8,502
    No it will not. Almost every deal I had last month were minis and you can't have many months like that and stay successful.

    Oh and the employee pricing stuff in MI is the truth. Even the Land Rover dealers there blow out cars for A/S/Z Plan pricing and they will give those prices to people well out of there market. Such total BS.
  • louisweilouiswei Member Posts: 3,715
    Are all Land Rovers union made?
  • rockyleerockylee Member Posts: 14,017
    volvomax,

    Well things went crazy today !!!

    We had about 24 people who completed the TK Worldwide, professional sales training program. It was quite a experience and taught me a lot. My meeting/interview which was scheduled today with Toyota, well went very well I thought. They asked me quite a few questions.

    I then went for a meeting with the new car sales manager after my course wrapped up and they asked me if I would be interested in their domestic store. I was like which brands ? Buick, Pontiac, GMC. My eyes lit up like to Xenon lights !!! We feel you would be a excellent fit for our Buick, Pontiac, GMC, store Rocky, and their is also a huge used car lot. I was like yeah, I'll take it !!!! ;)

    My trainer sold GM, automobiles for a living and knew I was a huge GM fan and he couldn't believe my GM product knowledge. We made a instant connection at my first interview. I was quickly nick named "edmunds guy" by my peers because I knew so much ;) I named dropped edmunds.com every chance I got because so many were shocked at how informed I was. :D

    I actually have all you guys to thank also for that !!!! :)

    I'm suppose to meet with the General Manager, next week at that store in Grand Haven, and I'm suppose to call the sales manager at the Toyota, store on monday to get a time for that meeting. I'm freaken excited guys. :shades:

    I'd much rather sell UAW-GM made automobiles I love so much !!!! I will have passion and confidence and believe in what I'm selling.

    So Rocky, should be part of the PBG house. :shades: I'm a very lucky dog the way this is working out so far.

    I can almost smell those Buick Enclaves, GMC Sierra Denali's, Pontiac G8's, :blush:

    Well that's the latest............

    -Rocky
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Wow, Rock! Way to go! Maybe you can make me a heck of a deal on the ultimate Buick Lucerne CXS or LaCrosse Super?
  • iluvmysephia1iluvmysephia1 Member Posts: 7,709
    congratulations, man!

    Keep us informed of any 2008 Chevrolet Malibu information, although it looks like you're not gonna be selling Chevy's. Maybe Chevy trade-ins, dunno.

    Wow, rocky, like Jim Carrey says in 'Pet Detective II', "like a glove."

    It's a blessing to you to get this job! You'll do great, man. You already know a bunch of the information you're supposed to learn to sell those rigs!

    Anyone that has 13,144 posts on Edmunds.com in only two years of posting is a car nut exemplified! Good going! :D

    2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick

  • marsha7marsha7 Member Posts: 3,703
    rocky has over 13,000 posts is because he doesn't have a life outside edmunds...not that there's anything wrong with that... ;) :P :blush: ...:):):):):)...
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