UAW

[rootdoc]

I have't heard any strike updates yet today. Based on the first two weeks, it seems like the UAW has planned a three-pronged approach from the very beginning, without any consideration of negotiations. First the emphasis was on GM and Stellantis plants with a smaller effect on Ford plants. Then it was Ford and GM plants with a smaller effect on Stellantis. This week it seems like it will be Ford and Stellantis, with a smaller effect on GM. Such posturing is foolish and will only turn the tide against the UAW.

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[rootdoc]

Breaking news. UAW held off on adding more plants to the strike with GM agreeing to make GM battery plants unionized. As suspected, GM is the "good" one this week. I am skeptical that this will solve negotiations to end the UAW strike.

 

[Bronclahoma]

I'm not a fan of the UAW nor the auto manufacturers. However this ends it will be inflationary and every auto buyer loses. Couple that with how we are subsidizing the EV's and vehicle prices are likely to rise faster than the inflation rate of most products.

 

[BourbonRunner]

The UAWs claims about stock buybacks being an issue regarding lower worker pay are disingenuous and in bad faith.

Every single UAW member benefits massively from those in their pensions and 401Ks.

When people bloviate about how awful buybacks are, remind them that 60% of the country owns stock whether they realize it or not via retirement plans and pension funds. .

Of the approximate 30 trillion of US stock market values , around 40% of it are owned directly by those same retirement plans and pension funds.

 

[MDwayne]

Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a di*k, or stifle discussions, but aren't there better forums to discuss labour disputes or politics of any sort.

I know, I can click ignore, but I'd rather we all just stay on topic here.

 

[wireman]

Let me say this. My 2021 Badlands had a base price of $32820. As built with most of the options sticker price was $38825.

Fast forward to 2024. Badlands base price is $38390. Building a Badlands as similar as possible to mine the sticker price is $46365.

Once this thing is settled, standby for more price increases. In a short while a price close to $50K for a Badlands is possible. There's no friggin' way I would pay that for a new BL.

Not taking sides here, but we all know who will take the brunt of what's coming.

It will affect all manufactures, not just Ford. Buckle your seat belts.

 

[thomasm23]

The UAWs claims about stock buybacks being an issue regarding lower worker pay are disingenuous and in bad faith.

Every single UAW member benefits massively from those in their pensions and 401Ks.

When people bloviate about how awful buybacks are, remind them that 60% of the country owns stock whether they realize it or not via retirement plans and pension funds. .

Of the approximate 30 trillion of US stock market values , around 40% of it are owned directly by those same retirement plans and pension funds.

This is just not true. The worst thing a publicly traded company can do with profits is buying back their own stock.

The profits should be reinvested in the company by rewarding employees and investing in new products. Cash buy backs do not grow the business.

Cash buy backs rewards top executives that receive stock options. How does this grow the company’s business?

This is a constant issues with American corporations. They do not reinvest their profits.

 

[Its her Bronco]

Let me say this. My 2021 Badlands had a base price of $32820. As built with most of the options sticker price was $38825.

Fast forward to 2024. Badlands base price is $38390. Building a Badlands as similar as possible to mine the sticker price is $46365.

Once this thing is settled, standby for more price increases. In a short while a price close to $50K for a Badlands is possible. There's no friggin' way I would pay that for a new BL.

Not taking sides here, but we all know who will take the brunt of what's coming.

It will affect all manufactures, not just Ford. Buckle your seat belts.

Not looking for a debate but just wanted to put a few facts out there. The Bronco Sport is built at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico by non-union workers. The price increases you are pointing out have nothing to do with the UAW. They do point to material cost increases that are out of control and over paying the wrong people. The workers at the Ford plant in Mexico average 8.25 dollars a hour according to Forbes magazine. The CEO of Ford motor makes 21 million a year, 10096 dollars a hour on a 40 hour work week or 5048 dollars an hour on a 80 hour work week.
BTW my wife loves her Bronco Sport, I hope you are enjoying yours.

 

[wireman]

Not looking for a debate but just wanted to put a few facts out there. The Bronco Sport is built at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico by non-union workers. The price increases you are pointing out have nothing to do with the UAW. They do point to material cost increases that are out of control and over paying the wrong people. The workers at the Ford plant in Mexico average 8.25 dollars a hour according to Forbes magazine. The CEO of Ford motor makes 21 million a year, 10096 dollars a hour on a 40 hour work week or 5048 dollars an hour on a 80 hour work week.
BTW my wife loves her Bronco Sport, I hope you are enjoying yours.

True they are made south of the border but a $5500 base price increase with nonunion workers.
Not blaming the workers but prices are out of control.

Farley makes way too much money considering the quality control issues and all the recalls Ford is having, JMO.

Ford will continue to increase prices on all vehicles to compensate for future costs when this contract is settled, regardless of where they are made.

 

[sajohnson]

Both unions and management can get carried away, but unions have given us:

* The 5-day, 40 hour work week.
* Overtime
* Shift differentials
* Sick time
* Vacation time
* Worker's comp insurance (also a big plus for businesses since they cannot be sued)
* Pensions
* Health insurance
* Minimum wage
* A reasonable progressive discipline procedure (no getting fired for a bs reason)

That's just a partial list.

Just as we need 2 (or more) political parties, we need unions to counteract the raw greed and power of corporations, and protect workers from exploitation.

OTOH, unions do need to be reasonable and realistic in their demands. Typically what happens is both sides stake out extreme positions that make them seem borderline insane. The media amplify those extremes. The reality is much less dramatic

 

[thomasm23]

Not looking for a debate but just wanted to put a few facts out there. The Bronco Sport is built at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico by non-union workers. The price increases you are pointing out have nothing to do with the UAW. They do point to material cost increases that are out of control and over paying the wrong people. The workers at the Ford plant in Mexico average 8.25 dollars a hour according to Forbes magazine. The CEO of Ford motor makes 21 million a year, 10096 dollars a hour on a 40 hour work week or 5048 dollars an hour on a 80 hour work week.
BTW my wife loves her Bronco Sport, I hope you are enjoying yours.

Ford has assembly plants for North American vehicles in US, Canada and Mexico. The reason is Ford sells vehicles produced in all three countries in US, Canada and Mexico. The vast majority of these vehicles are assembled in the US.

Ford employs more UAW members than any other company.

The reason the US has a vibrant middle class is because of high paying blue collar union jobs. Retailers have benefited by having the union members as customers. But the union jobs also set the standard for non-union jobs creating a vibrant middle-class that grows the economy.

 

[Jmuns]

Not looking for a debate but just wanted to put a few facts out there. The Bronco Sport is built at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico by non-union workers. The price increases you are pointing out have nothing to do with the UAW. They do point to material cost increases that are out of control and over paying the wrong people. The workers at the Ford plant in Mexico average 8.25 dollars a hour according to Forbes magazine. The CEO of Ford motor makes 21 million a year, 10096 dollars a hour on a 40 hour work week or 5048 dollars an hour on a 80 hour work week.
BTW my wife loves her Bronco Sport, I hope you are enjoying yours.

While what you stated is true, the rising labor costs in the USA that Ford and other manufacturers will incur are going to be spread out across all their vehicles. Most of the issues are also stemming from the EV push and rising costs and strains that places on them as a company, forcing the ICE vehicle prices through the roof. They have to make up those costs somewhere.

 

[Bucko]

Sorry, I don't mean to sound like a di*k, or stifle discussions, but aren't there better forums to discuss labour disputes or politics of any sort.

I know, I can click ignore, but I'd rather we all just stay on topic here.

Title clearly states a union topic. Its posted in the general topics forum. All you need to do is not open, not read, and move on to what interests you.

 

[wireman]

Both unions and management can get carried away, but unions have given us:

* The 5-day, 40 hour work week.
* Overtime
* Shift differentials
* Sick time
* Vacation time
* Worker's comp insurance (also a big plus for businesses since they cannot be sued)
* Pensions
* Health insurance
* Minimum wage
* A reasonable progressive discipline procedure (no getting fired for a bs reason)

That's just a partial list.

Just as we need 2 (or more) political parties, we need unions to counteract the raw greed and power of corporations, and protect workers from exploitation.

OTOH, unions do need to be reasonable and realistic in their demands. Typically what happens is both sides stake out extreme positions that make them seem borderline insane. The media amplify those extremes. The reality is much less dramatic

10-4, I was a union member for 23 years and understand the process. I've been on strike a few times. The initial demands by the UAW were unrealistic.

Negotiate is the process yes, but the public image of their demands didn't help their stand IMO.

It's a vicious cycle of rising costs, profit margins, etc.

My initial post was my concern of how expensive the Sport is getting. It's a unique vehicle but if I bought a 2024 BL, equipped like my 2021, the out the door cost would be $50K, including 10% taxes and other costs.

Justified, I guess for those willing to pay the price. I'm not one of them at this point.

 

[RushMan]

Not looking for a debate but just wanted to put a few facts out there. The Bronco Sport is built at the Hermosillo plant in Mexico by non-union workers. The price increases you are pointing out have nothing to do with the UAW. They do point to material cost increases that are out of control and over paying the wrong people. The workers at the Ford plant in Mexico average 8.25 dollars a hour according to Forbes magazine. The CEO of Ford motor makes 21 million a year, 10096 dollars a hour on a 40 hour work week or 5048 dollars an hour on a 80 hour work week.
BTW my wife loves her Bronco Sport, I hope you are enjoying yours.

The Hermosillo plant has a union. It is not UAW, but there is a workers' union there.
The plant is unionized under SINTRAFORD
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermosillo_Stamping_and_Assembly

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