Auto Workers Union Rules Out Concessions To Help Detroit BailoutI tried crafting a thoughtful response for quite some time, but the most effective counterpoint I came up with was:
Ron Gettelfinger, the union president, said at the weekend that "the focus has to be on the economy as a whole as opposed to a UAW contract"...
..."We're here not because of what the auto industry has done", Mr Gettelfinger said during a rare press conference. "We're here because of what has happened to the economy." The union represents blue-collar workers at assembly plants, as well as several parts suppliers.
Are you shitting me?
Ronnie, WE'RE here because of what has happened to the economy.
YOU'RE here because of what the auto industry--management and union--has done, and you should be ashamed of yourself for suggesting otherwise.
With years of fat contracts and SUV-centric business plans, management and labor both fiddled while Detroit burned. I still have a ring-side seat and even I'm torn on a Detroit Three bailout. I'm no economist, but I can easily see the economic devastation that could result as a major automaker collapse cascades to workers, suppliers, vendors, etc.
But that doesn't mean I should be on the front lines, alone.
It comes down to fiscal solvency and, contrary to Mr. Gettelfinger's whiny finger-pointing, union contracts are an inextricable part of that.
Suck it up, Mr. G.
If my tax dollars are going to go towards saving your ass, you damn well better be prepared to get your pocketbook pinched, first.
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