- Oct 9, 1999
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UAW says it will unionize Alabama Mercedes plant
- Thread starter NFS4
- Start date
My ass they will. Those people get paid great, and get great benefits. Why would they want to take a pay cut and start paying Union Dues? 
UAW's previous recruiting efforts have not drawn much support from Mercedes workers, making the UAW's pronouncement a surprise to many in Alabama's auto industry.
"I don't know of anything that would suggest a reason for that kind of optimism," said James Cashman, a professor of management at the University of Alabama.
"To be blunt, I think it will be a cold day in you-know-where before they unionize Mercedes," he said.
David Miller, director of the Alabama Productivity Center at Alabama, said Mercedes has a reputation for taking care of its workers.
Jobs at Mercedes pay an average of about $27 an hour, roughly the same as at UAW plants and well above the state's average hourly wage of $10.80.
"The pay is good, the atmosphere is good and you just don't hear about grievances or accidents or any of the things that would seem to raise interest in unionizing," Miller said. "I see no indication that they are having any problems."
Mercedes officials in Vance responded to the UAW's comments by saying their position on a union hasn't changed since the company broke ground in Vance 10 years ago.
"The decision is up to our team members," Mercedes said in a statement.
The Mercedes factory has been a target for the UAW since production began in 1996. The plant, which manufactures M-Class sport-utility vehicles, employs about 2,000 workers and is undergoing a $600 million expansion that will double its work force by 2005.
Cashman said the UAW could be using the Mercedes plant as a diversionary tactic at the outset of what could be highly contentious talks with Detroit's Big Three. But it's more likely, he said, that the UAW simply is desperate for new members.
The union, hurt by layoffs and retirements, has seen membership slide in recent years, from a high of 1.5 million in 1979 to about 640,000 in 2002.
The UAW has been shut out of the 10 foreign-car assembly plants that have set up production in the South since Mercedes.
"I don't know of anything that would suggest a reason for that kind of optimism," said James Cashman, a professor of management at the University of Alabama.
"To be blunt, I think it will be a cold day in you-know-where before they unionize Mercedes," he said.
David Miller, director of the Alabama Productivity Center at Alabama, said Mercedes has a reputation for taking care of its workers.
Jobs at Mercedes pay an average of about $27 an hour, roughly the same as at UAW plants and well above the state's average hourly wage of $10.80.
"The pay is good, the atmosphere is good and you just don't hear about grievances or accidents or any of the things that would seem to raise interest in unionizing," Miller said. "I see no indication that they are having any problems."
Mercedes officials in Vance responded to the UAW's comments by saying their position on a union hasn't changed since the company broke ground in Vance 10 years ago.
"The decision is up to our team members," Mercedes said in a statement.
The Mercedes factory has been a target for the UAW since production began in 1996. The plant, which manufactures M-Class sport-utility vehicles, employs about 2,000 workers and is undergoing a $600 million expansion that will double its work force by 2005.
Cashman said the UAW could be using the Mercedes plant as a diversionary tactic at the outset of what could be highly contentious talks with Detroit's Big Three. But it's more likely, he said, that the UAW simply is desperate for new members.
The union, hurt by layoffs and retirements, has seen membership slide in recent years, from a high of 1.5 million in 1979 to about 640,000 in 2002.
The UAW has been shut out of the 10 foreign-car assembly plants that have set up production in the South since Mercedes.
UAW workers have it made beyond belief. What a cake job they have. I hope the UAW fails. IMO, unions are a big part of what is wrong with domestic automobile quality. There was a time when the unions were necessary, but that time is past.
- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 48
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They don't need the UAW, they need a swift kick in the ass to beef up QC. The M-Class is probably one of Mercedes worst put together vehicles (build quality, eletronic glitches, interior trim pieces falling off, etc.).
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mercedesbenz/mclass/100183618/ratings_jdpower.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.vdpheaderratingslinks..0.Mercedes-Benz*
http://www.edmunds.com/new/2003/mercedesbenz/mclass/100183618/ratings_jdpower.html?tid=edmunds.n.prices.vdpheaderratingslinks..0.Mercedes-Benz*
- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 48
- 91
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
But they wouldn't be getting treated that good.....if it were not for Unions.
Think about it.
Red Dawn
Elite Member
- Jun 4, 2001
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The threat of Workers Unionizing is responsible for such good conditions. If there were no Unions you can bet that the employees for those companies would take it in the shorts.Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 48
- 91
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
But they wouldn't be getting treated that good.....if it were not for Unions.
Think about it.
Even if that were the case, what's the point in unionizing if wages and benefits are on par for the course? It's like ordering up a pay per view porn movie on TV for a man who is both deaf and blind.
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
But they wouldn't be getting treated that good.....if it were not for Unions.
Think about it.
Even if that were the case, what's the point in unionizing if wages and benefits are on par for the course? It's like ordering up a pay per view porn movie on TV for a man who is both deaf and blind.
A union is nice to have when things turn sour. It's always a good thing when workers have a real voice where they work.
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
But they wouldn't be getting treated that good.....if it were not for Unions.
Think about it.
Even if that were the case, what's the point in unionizing if wages and benefits are on par for the course? It's like ordering up a pay per view porn movie on TV for a man who is both deaf and blind.
A union is nice to have when things turn sour. It's always a good thing when workers have a real voice where they work.
But they already do at this plant. Sheesh.
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
Originally posted by: Ferocious
Originally posted by: NFS4
If unions are such a good thing, then why don't US Toyota and Honda workers vote to unionize? Could it be b/c they are already getting treated fairly? Sounds like it to me
There is NO NEED for Unions if conditions/benefits/pay are where they should be in the first place.
But they wouldn't be getting treated that good.....if it were not for Unions.
Think about it.
Even if that were the case, what's the point in unionizing if wages and benefits are on par for the course? It's like ordering up a pay per view porn movie on TV for a man who is both deaf and blind.
A union is nice to have when things turn sour. It's always a good thing when workers have a real voice where they work.
Growing up in the rust belt, I'll have to disagree. The choice there was "Layoff or termination?" Unions are a necessary evil who's time has passed.
Well, I guess they will do what is best for them. The threat of unions is as effective as unions themselves.
Are you joking? This will be an easy victory for the UAW. Chrysler has 20% excess capacity at its plants, is losing a billion dollars each quarter, and needs to shut several plants to return to profitability. The only chance the UAW might let them do that is, if in exchange, they let them unionize the Mercedes plant in Alabama.
It won't unionize if the workers don't vote for it. At least that's my understanding of union politics. UAW can't say well, force this plant to unionize and we'll let you close others.
But how can UAW "bully" an automaker into doing things? Can't DC say "let us do watever the fsck we want"??
I still haven't understood unions, its like they "own" the automakers.
Votes. LOL. I actually, I read somewhere they weren't actually planning on having a "vote", just having workers sign cards saying they want to join the union, and once they have enough of those cards the plant will be unionized.
But it's all just show. The UAW can just say to Daimler-Chrysler, "Hey, tell your workers at the Mercedes plant to join our union in exchange for shutting those plants down, or we'll go on strike at all Chrysler plants". It's as simple as that.
Ever since the strikes in Flint, MI in 1998, no automaker has dared risk a strike.
Those people are idiots, that is why I trust a JD Power survey then this. Look at this one...
This guy gave the Mer. a 9.6 but look what he wrote...
Date Posted
06/06/2003 great car by trip
Style: ML320 AWD 4dr SUV (3.2L 6cyl 5A) Rating 9.6
Review: Had this car for a while now, enjoy it thouroughly. We did have a couple of issues, such as, power window switch going bad, power streering hose coming off. However, got an immediate first class service to address the issue.
How does a P/S hose just COME OFF. I am a mechanic and they just don't COME OFF for no reason.
Or this person...
Date Posted
06/29/2003 MY ML 500 by BUDDY
Style: ML500 AWD 4dr SUV (5.0L 8cyl 5A) Rating 8.5
Review: FUN CAR TO DRIVE, IT IS VERY FAST AND A VERY GOOD RIDE. THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH MY ML500 IS NOISY BRAKES, REAR TIRES WEARING OUT PREMATURLY AND BAD CUP HOLDERS. DEALERSHIP STATES THERE ARE NO CURRENT FIX FOR ABOVE PROBLEMS BUT THEY ARE VERY AWARE OF THEM. ALSO IT SEEMS THE PAINT IS VERY THIN. IT CHIPS VERY EASY.
If this was a Chevy it would be flamed until the end of time.
Like look at this. A chevy that had no maor problems, and they even added it was totalled yet their husband had no major injuries, yet they give it a 6.6
Link
Date Posted
06/26/2003 This car saved my husband's life by GBate
Style: 2 Dr STD Coupe Rating 6.6
Review: We bought this car in 1996 new. We never really had any major problems with it. It was good on gas mileage and when our children were small, it was comfortable for them. As they grew; however, the back seat was too small for anyone over 5'. My husband was side swiped on a major highway and crashed into a guardrail at 60mph. The car was totaled but he walked away. I give credit to the solid build of this car.
People are idiots by themselves, that is why you have to have a GOOD survey.
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