Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Surprise: Early Show Economist Blames 'Selfish' UAW
NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 12/12/2008 6:17:33 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest

Let's hope we haven't seen the last of Peter Morici on CBS. The University of Maryland professor of business and economics, appearing on the Early Show this morning, put the blame for the failure of Big Three bailout squarely on the shoulders of the UAW for its refusal to accept pay cuts putting its members on par with non-union workers at US plants owned by foreign car manufacturers. The Early Show did manage to balance things with some Dem demagoguery from the mayor of a Michigan city.

Morici singled out UAW president Ron Gettelfinger, calling him "unrealistic" and "selfish." Comic relief was later provided by Virg Bernero, mayor of Lansing, Michigan, who seemed to confuse South Carolina with South Korea.

View video here.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: automakers; bailout; petermorici; unions
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last

1 posted on 12/12/2008 6:17:34 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; MEG33; PGalt; ...

Flying union pig alert to Today show list.


2 posted on 12/12/2008 6:18:09 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Keeping track of the MSM so you don't have to!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest

He’s right...

http://exposingtheleft.blogspot.com/2008/11/big-three-woes.html


3 posted on 12/12/2008 6:20:12 AM PST by traderrob6
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest
On F&F this morning one of the Fox Business Gals was ask who is to blame and she responded without hesitation “the UAW”.
4 posted on 12/12/2008 6:21:35 AM PST by Red_Devil 232 (VietVet - USMC All Ready On The Right? All Ready On The Left? All Ready On The Firing Line!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest

The TRUTH???? Someone from acedemia spoke the TRUTH???? OMG!


5 posted on 12/12/2008 6:23:43 AM PST by Ann Archy (Abortion.....The Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red_Devil 232

The auto makers have to have to ability to cut unprofitable lines of cars/trucks, whatever. If the union contract doesn’t allow it, the executives hands are tied.


6 posted on 12/12/2008 6:25:11 AM PST by Sig Sauer P220 (The Big 3 Auto Makers - Where Attention to Kwality is Jobe Won.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest; All

I am willing to donate one, plug nickel to the UAW “Widow’s and Orphan’s” Fund if John Sweeney makes an appearance on any news program with an apple stuck in his pie hole.


7 posted on 12/12/2008 6:26:09 AM PST by fortunate sun (Proud Palinista!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest

He can expect a friendly ‘visit’ from some UAW operatives in the near future.


8 posted on 12/12/2008 6:35:24 AM PST by kickonly88
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: All

Interesting is that this economist Mordici is not your usual Free Trade stooge or stoolie...actually is pro-American in his economics...and is laying blame on the UAW.

You figure to hear it from the usual “I hate America” Free Trade stooges...but not from Mordici....pretty telling


9 posted on 12/12/2008 6:38:01 AM PST by UCFRoadWarrior (Always question the patriotism of any Globalist)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest
Memo to UAW:

You can't get blood from a turnip, and you can't get $75 per hour from a bankrupted company.

Sincerely.
10 posted on 12/12/2008 6:42:06 AM PST by FrankR (“Turtle up”, economically, for the duration of the 0bamanation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest
I am glad to see this, but it all must be taken a step further to get people to realize that the laws governing the relationship between union and management are the ultimate culprits. A company that has its union go out on strike must have the ability to hire those who ARE willing to work for what they want to pay.

Only when we are ALL threatened do we finger the real perpetrator. And only when a company is brought completely to its knees does the union make concessions. I'm betting the union will cave, because their choice is to hand their pay over to a bankruptcy court judge, and as we can see, the prevailing sentiment is not with the unions any more.

11 posted on 12/12/2008 6:43:04 AM PST by wayoverontheright
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: FrankR

They do not make $75.00 an hour. OH PLEASE! They make about 60K a year plus benifits.


12 posted on 12/12/2008 6:52:21 AM PST by 70th Division (I love my country but fear my government!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 10 | View Replies]

To: 70th Division
"They do not make $75.00 an hour. OH PLEASE! They make about 60K a year plus benifits. "

Well, I didn't mean to blow your skirt up!

You have to look at "landed cost" (that's the benefits and all employER expenses); then you figure in the re-tooling time when they are not at work but still get full paychecks...and it would come out to about that, I'm sure.

What a sweetheart deal.

But, if it makes you stop using you all caps key, then we'll say $35-$40 per hour. I know a lot of people who would like to be making that kind of money. And the people I know would appreciate it.

Unions breed employee mediocrity and eventual corporate failure...it's the liberal greed factor...it's microcosm socialism and socialism never works long-term.
13 posted on 12/12/2008 7:04:30 AM PST by FrankR (“Turtle up”, economically, for the duration of the 0bamanation.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: kickonly88

The good professor better park his car in his garage


14 posted on 12/12/2008 7:32:01 AM PST by stan_sipple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: FrankR

whats the total after you add in fica, unemployment, health, worker comp, pension, health ...etc etc etc?


15 posted on 12/12/2008 7:34:08 AM PST by stan_sipple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: governsleastgovernsbest
The University of Maryland professor of business and economics, appearing on the Early Show this morning, put the blame for the failure of Big Three bailout squarely on the shoulders of the UAW for its refusal to accept pay cuts putting its members on par with non-union workers at US plants owned by foreign car manufacturers

I dont doubt he is right but surely stupid government regulation has some role too.

16 posted on 12/12/2008 7:37:29 AM PST by freespirited (Honk to indict the MSM for treason.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
I dont doubt he is right but surely stupid government regulation has some role too.

The foreign car makers in the US face the same stupid regulations, but they can make a healthy profit.

17 posted on 12/12/2008 7:42:47 AM PST by Ditto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

If the uaw paid the republicans like they paid the demoncrats than it would have passed with flying colors. They should have taken care of BOTH sides of the aisle!


18 posted on 12/12/2008 7:45:49 AM PST by cameraeye (It only just begun. Are we losing yet?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: 70th Division
They do not make $75.00 an hour. OH PLEASE! They make about 60K a year plus benifits.

When you add up all the costs including things like full retiree health care, the jobs bank and other costs for people no longer employed by the big three, labor cost works out to $75 per hour.

It is the legacy costs that are killing them.

19 posted on 12/12/2008 7:46:44 AM PST by Ditto
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Ditto

The difference between a profitable auto manufacturer and a bankrupt one is the UAW.


20 posted on 12/12/2008 7:48:43 AM PST by MrB (The 0bamanation: Marxism, Infanticide, Appeasement, Depression, Thuggery, and Censorship)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-29 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson