50,000 GM Workers on Strike

[Kowani]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business ... reak-down/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1054701

In the first UAW auto strike in 12 years, about 50,000 GM workers are currently striking after talks over better wages, job security, and healthcare broke down. Additionally, this drew in another industry, as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have agreed not to transport GM vehicles. This was a unanimous vote, with 7 states participating.

Of course, GM aid giving the usual corporate spiel and denying all responsibility.

So, NSG…where do we go from here?


This is, in my opinion, huge-a major crack against our current state of capitalism, regardless of the outcome.

[The Republic of Fore]

Sounds like GM will be hiring soon, good to know!

[Galloism]

Sounds like GM will be hiring soon, good to know!

I believe it's written into their union contract they can't do that.

[The Republic of Fore]

Sounds like GM will be hiring soon, good to know!

I believe it's written into their union contract they can't do that.

Oh it probably is. But one can always hope. Maybe they'll pull a Washington Redskins and hire a bunch of scabs but try to cover it up.

[Lord Dominator]

So, bit over a third of their workforce is striking, that'll put a nice dent in their ability to manufacture anything, and given the addition of the Teamsters thing, market share.

Sounds like GM will be hiring soon, good to know!

I believe it's written into their union contract they can't do that.

Seems like one of the first things that a union would put in.

[Gormwood]

Something something union thugs in 3... 2... 1...

[Washington Resistance Army]

Nationalize GM.

[Gormwood]

Nationalize GM.

Hello Nicolas Maduro.

[Telconi]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2019/09/15/nearly-general-motors-employees-plan-walk-off-job-after-union-talks-break-down/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/ncna1054701

In the first UAW auto strike in 12 years, about 50,000 GM workers are currently striking after talks over better wages, job security, and healthcare broke down. Additionally, this drew in another industry, as the International Brotherhood of Teamsters have agreed not to transport GM vehicles. This was a unanimous vote, with 7 states participating.

Of course, GM aid giving the usual corporate spiel and denying all responsibility.

So, NSG…where do we go from here?


This is, in my opinion, huge-a major crack against our current state of capitalism, regardless of the outcome.

Well, GM needs to go back to the negotiating table. This is going to absolutely trash their capacity to do anything, and good on the Teamsters for throwing some support their way.

[Bloodshade]

Great news. I hope this is a start of a trend where unions are starting to have enough bargaining power to push companies into negotiations.

Now if only someone can deal with Amazon and their disgusting anti-union tactics...

[-Ocelot-]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

[Washington Resistance Army]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

Calling GM successful is kind of a stretch tbh

[Costa Fierro]

Nationalize GM.

GM was nationalised as part of its reorganisation program in 2009 after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Well, GM needs to go back to the negotiating table. This is going to absolutely trash their capacity to do anything, and good on the Teamsters for throwing some support their way.

Here's the thing: GM isn't the only major manufacturer with four year labour agreements, FCA and Ford also have similar agreements that also end at the same date. GM was picked as the first round of strikes because last year it announced the closure of several plants in the United States that were underutilized and made products that weren't selling. The union themselves said as much. GM also has problems with oversupply, and the American automotive market is in decline in terms of overall sales, meaning that these plants, unless GM could retool them to make new products, would have to go.

The Big Three have an interesting predicament of having low auto sales but high profits, likely buoyed both by Chinese sales and pickup sales in the US.

[Costa Fierro]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

Calling GM successful is kind of a stretch tbh

I mean, it's only had to file for bankruptcy once.

[Aclion]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

There's not a single state where it it legal to pay workers less then a livable wage.*

*For a single adult working full time | using statewide average CoL, local CoL may be higher

[Kubra]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

uneven economic development. Folks forget, but automation used to be a real popular topic, then China and India opened up for investment and it turned out you could still get human hands cheaper steel ones.
It's American labour entering into a more competitive global market, and it ain't pretty.

[The Republic of Fore]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

There's not a single state where it it legal to pay workers less then a livable wage.*

*For a single adult working full time | using statewide average CoL, local CoL may be higher

Considering how many GM plants are in Kentucky, Michigan and Texas, I doubt cost of living is a huge concern. As far as I understand it they actually pay pretty well.

[The Greater Ohio Valley]

Hopefully this works out in the workers favor.

[Telconi]

Nationalize GM.

GM was nationalised as part of its reorganisation program in 2009 after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Well, GM needs to go back to the negotiating table. This is going to absolutely trash their capacity to do anything, and good on the Teamsters for throwing some support their way.

Here's the thing: GM isn't the only major manufacturer with four year labour agreements, FCA and Ford also have similar agreements that also end at the same date. GM was picked as the first round of strikes because last year it announced the closure of several plants in the United States that were underutilized and made products that weren't selling. The union themselves said as much. GM also has problems with oversupply, and the American automotive market is in decline in terms of overall sales, meaning that these plants, unless GM could retool them to make new products, would have to go.

The Big Three have an interesting predicament of having low auto sales but high profits, likely buoyed both by Chinese sales and pickup sales in the US.

And this negates what I said how?

[Telconi]

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

Well they don't employ the undead, so everyone there lives.

[Costa Fierro]

And this negates what I said how?

That GM doesn't have a reason to go back to the negotiating table and that it was specifically singled out by the Union.

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

Unionised workers are being paid between $30-$33 an hour, but one of their primary concerns is temp workers which are being paid half that (still higher than minimum fed wage).

[Telconi]

And this negates what I said how?

That GM doesn't have a reason to go back to the negotiating table and that it was specifically singled out by the Union.

Why do otherwise successful American corporations struggle with providing their workers a livable wage?

Unionised workers are being paid between $30-$33 an hour, but one of their primary concerns is temp workers which are being paid half that (still higher than minimum fed wage).

>GM doesn't have a reason to go back to the negotiating table.
>It is being specifically singled out by the union.

You just denied them having a reason, and provided the reason...

[Page]

The people united will never be defeated!

[Telconi]

The people united will never be defeated!

Yeah, but that's the hard part.

[Costa Fierro]

>GM doesn't have a reason to go back to the negotiating table.
>It is being specifically singled out by the union.

You just denied them having a reason, and provided the reason...

To avoid what? GM is well placed to weather strike action, and it has an oversupply of vehicles at the moment, so as long as existing stock is shifted, it has no reason to return until it actually starts affecting product supply.