American Axle workers on strike

jobsetter wrote:

first i would like to say i am proud of the union. without a union a supervisor could fire you just because he didnt like the way you look, and thats not fair. the union understands what is going on in this country,management is threating to take our jobs to other countries at the same time want us to cut our wages. this is why we are fighting its just unfair. we dont feel management or the bigwigs owe us anything from there profits but a fair contract.they lie to us and tell us its because of absentee problem and fmla when they are steady laying off people and replacing our jobs with robots.fuck their profits we dont give a fuck, but dont blame it on union blame the healthcare in this country which had to do with president bush and the nafta freetrade agreement, and oh whats let not forget corporate greed!!!

Ohio and Michigan are in the same boat and both states blame NAFTA for job losses. Both states are heavily unionized manufacturing states with Democratically controlled tax and regulation policies. But in Texas, a gain of almost 400,000 jobs over the last five years and their state is booming. Do you know why? No income tax, hardly any Unions, business friendly regulations. Want a healthy state? Have it run by conservatives like Texas. BTW. Houston is a Dem City and is a disaster. Rest of the state is good for business.

neecer wrote:

Artic,
Just curious, but why is MI in a recession, but the rest of the country is booming. We have almost double the national average in unemployment, and the highest foreclosure rate in the nation.
Now, I do agree with you that the company needs to show WHY they want their workers to make these cuts. If they are not, then the workers NEED to stand up for their rights. If the company is faltering and having financial issues, it's reasonable to ask EVERYONE (execs MUST be included in this everyone) to take concessions. BUT they need to be able to PROVE this in writing.
And this is NOT directed at you Artic, but it is directed people want to blame this on NAFTA while complaining about the current administration, You people need to remember who actually SIGNED NAFTA into law, thus allowing us to get where we are now.
Bush 41 may have started NAFTA, but it was CLINTON to signed it. He didn't have to and it would have gone away. But no, he signed the trade agreement and we are getting s.crewed without so much as a kiss.

hmm neecer if you have watched the news lately the country is catching up to us and not booming as you would like to think.

I heard on the radio (NPR) that some of these striking workers make as much as $73/h wages and benefits. WTF...I have a Masters degree and I don't make half that after 20 years! Who's the fat cat here?

John M wrote:

<quoted text> hmm neecer if you have watched the news lately the country is catching up to us and not booming as you would like to think.

I wasn't talking about the entire US John, but certain states and certain areas. Please see Batch's response (#64 I believe) about Texas. I see no need to repeat it.

Even Alaska even has a lower unemployment rate than we do, and they spend 6 months of the year without sun. AND they put out jobs searches for people all through out the US.

Unions Blow wrote:

I heard on the radio (NPR) that some of these striking workers make as much as $73/h wages and benefits. WTF...I have a Masters degree and I don't make half that after 20 years! Who's the fat cat here?

We actually make $24hr,$73 is fully loaded wages which I doubt are truley that high as corporations only report what is beneficial to themselves. If you do really have a masters then you should really read this link as you will find it informative.

http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2007/...

dsanchez wrote:

<quoted text>
We actually make $24hr,$73 is fully loaded wages which I doubt are truley that high as corporations only report what is beneficial to themselves. If you do really have a masters then you should really read this link as you will find it informative.
http://www.dollarsandsense.org/archives/2007/...
per.html

Payroll taxes the employees never see and is seldom aware of. State taxes add up for the employer. Not the company's fault they need to leave the State if the State can not be a good partner. Producers being robbed by non producers.

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

<quoted text>
Ohio and Michigan are in the same boat and both states blame NAFTA for job losses. Both states are heavily unionized manufacturing states with Democratically controlled tax and regulation policies. But in Texas, a gain of almost 400,000 jobs over the last five years and their state is booming. Do you know why? No income tax, hardly any Unions, business friendly regulations. Want a healthy state? Have it run by conservatives like Texas. BTW. Houston is a Dem City and is a disaster. Rest of the state is good for business.

OK so 400,000 jobs but what KIND of jobs are they? Are they good paying jobs that a person can raise a family on and buy a house? I doubt it. Most of the "new" jobs are simply replacement jobs for lost manufacturing jobs that have been sent overseas. You simply cannot compare a $20.00 hour job with benefits to job working in a mall at minimum wage and no benefits. For a full explanation see my post on http://www.topix.net/forum/source/wzzm/TF4EQT...

i wish they'd get there stuff together. It is not only hurting the strikers, but as well as the workers in the smaller teir companys. So you guys in Michigan, please get your stuff together and go back to work. Your killin us down here!!!!

Batch 37 Pain is Good wrote:

<quoted text>
Payroll taxes the employees never see and is seldom aware of. State taxes add up for the employer. Not the company's fault they need to leave the State if the State can not be a good partner. Producers being robbed by non producers.

Taxes a point of contention with all.
Taxes what confuses me. Do you know of any business that when taxes increased, the price of there products or services didn't raise also?
Why does business complain taxes are killing them when in reality taxes are killing the consumer.

The workforce at American Axle is not totally uneducated for the people out there that got it twisted. The are plenty of workers that are smart and articulate. This just happen to be lifestyle they chose to do. People can say they get what they deserve, but if they were in the same situation the would be upset. The members of Local 235 and 262 knew there was going to be cut, but not this massive. Also, some were prepared others was not, it's adjusted for anyone who has to take a cut in their pay from these companies be union or non-union. Bottom line is greed is greed no matter how you look at or where you want to point the finger.
Stand Strong Union Sister and Brothers

Pipingdude wrote:

<quoted text>
Taxes a point of contention with all.
Taxes what confuses me. Do you know of any business that when taxes increased, the price of there products or services didn't raise also?
Why does business complain taxes are killing them when in reality taxes are killing the consumer.

I can answer that as part owner of a small manufacturing business.

If we have to raise the prices for any of the services we provide we are not as competitive. We can not land as many jobs, so we have to cut employees and cut costs wherever we can.

Since the democrats refuse to let us drill our own oil, we are slaves to OPEC. This makes it cost more to ship whatever work we can get into and out of this black hole of a state, still another disadvantage.

Unfortunately for Michigan, the former largest manufacturing state, our manufacturing plants can not do this because a customer will simply have the work done in a state without a retarded governor hell bent on destroying their economy.

Thanks to Granmoles' socialist agenda and endless welfare benefits for slackers the state has a large tax burden. Granmole, in all of her brilliance decided to hit our already struggling businesses with the biggest tax increase in Michigan history.

Sure, food stores and the like can simply raise prices and pass the burden onto the consumer. As for manufacturing, potential customers will simply pick up the phone and dial another state. being stuck here under Granmoles rule gives Michigan businesses a distinct disadvantage as is evident by our states employers packing up and leaving town.

States such as Texas have no state income tax at all and are flourishing.

oh yeah, another thing, since my wages are lower,I hope your are ready for higher taxes. cuz someone has to make up the difference they won't be getting from me.

beezie50 wrote:

oh yeah, another thing, since my wages are lower,I hope your are ready for higher taxes. cuz someone has to make up the difference they won't be getting from me.

Hardly, the get ZERO tax revenue when the UAW pushes businesses out of country and or state....