Posted on 06/18/2010 5:07:44 AM PDT by EBH
Toyota's announcement that it will resume construction of a car factory in Mississippi was a much-needed piece of good news for both the state struggling with persistent employment and the automaker trying to recover some goodwill after a recall crisis bruised its reputation.
But the decision drew fire from America's largest auto union, which accused Toyota of shifting production from a union plant to a nonunion facility.
Toyota promised to hire 2,000 workers at its nearly complete factory in Blue Springs, Mississippi, and start producing Corolla sedans by the end of next year.
The plant has been on hold since late 2008, when Toyota suspended construction as the economy fell apart and sales of new cars and trucks collapsed in the U.S.
But Toyota's decision to build Corollas there comes just weeks after announcing the sale of a California plant that also built the compact sedans.
To the United Auto Workers Union, the key difference was the California plant was unionized, while the Mississippi plant -- like the rest of Toyota's U.S. factories -- isn't.
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
There have to be a lot more than two. I would guess access to a an English speaking workforce figures into it, as well as far less draconian and punitive worker's comp laws.
Post 40 was supposed to go to you.
“To the United Auto Workers Union, the key difference was the California plant was unionized, while the Mississippi plant — like the rest of Toyota’s U.S. factories — isn’t.”
Right now, most autoworkers in the US make about the same, regardless of who they work for. $28/hr base pay, $55/hr fully loaded (base pay and all benefits.) GM, Ford and Chrysler UAW employees made about $78 an hour fully loaded before the reorganizations. The difference is the “give-backs” the UAW now wants to take back.
With the closing of NUMMI, there are no auto plants left in CA, tho’ Tesla has bought the plant and intends to produce their electric cars there. Can’t blame ‘em, they got a $1 billion plant for $40 million.
“shifting production from a union plant to a nonunion facility”
Smart!
(In the voice of Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez:)
"Oh, don't say Yugo to a Toyota person!"
(In the voice of Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez:)
(Sigh) Just another reason why I love Freerepublic. I’m sure the MSM would never quote Jose out of being non-PC
In Mississippi????
(Ducking now!)
That's more better.......
The California plant, called New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or NUMMI, was a joint venture with General Motors Co. Toyota closed its doors in April after GM pulled out of the venture under bankruptcy protection last year.
UAW President Bob King pledged to step up efforts to organize nonunion workers at Toyota factories and those run by other foreign automakers in the U.S. King, who was elected to head the union this week, used his acceptance speech on Thursday to accuse Toyota of shifting jobs to a location where it can pay lower, nonunion wages. He also said the move was designed to scare workers at Toyota's other U.S. factories
“
Laugh of the day! I saw the new UAW head on MSNBC Ed Show complaining about this. At least it's in the USA. maybe Obama/Holder can launch a lawsuit stopping the plant move :)
Good news. If they adopt an aggressive veteran recruiting program they’ll find that it is an excellent deterrent to unionization (at least in my experience).
Outstanding!
Tell the unions to take a hike!
Nissan must be thinking the same way.
Nissan built a plant just north of Jackson, Mississippi. I passed there recently but didn't think to check the odometer. That plant seems like it is about one mile long on the east side of I - 55.
Does anyone know how many Mississippians Nissan employees?
“But the decision drew fire from America’s largest auto union, which accused Toyota of shifting production from a union plant to a nonunion facility.”
*UCK the UAW, unions have ruined the American auto industry, now they want to ruin the japanese as well? Screw that. If I EVER buy another new car, it will be from a non-unionized company.
Don’t know. The nissan plant in nashville is over a million square feet under one roof. They build sedans and mid size trucks. They share chassis, engines and transmissions. When demand for trucks lets off, they shift the production line to sedans and same for the reverse. Very clean plant as well.
Unions are “negotiating” their members right out of the labor market.
When things like this happen...it amazes me how the members can’t see it is their own leadership that has failed.”
Workers in South Bend, Indiana, are still waiting for the Studebaker plant to reopen there.
I learned this thirty years ago working at U.S. Steel.
That's most economical choice, I have a 24 year old Toyota and my amortized costs are pennies on the dollar compared to most car owners.
It's clean, comfy, reliable and gets great MPG, who could ax'4 more?
Unions are loyal to the unions first and foremost. I worked at a refinery and had to deal with the OCAW. Despite that fact that they get their paychecks from Shell Oil, they are loyal to the union only. Shell who?
Makes sense that the dimrat politicians align themselves with the unions. They are loyal to their party first and foremost, not to this country. Sure they live here, but they are loyal to their party. Same mindset.
I did some searching and came up with this information about Nissan in Mississippi.
Nissan Pre 2003 ,,, Located on a Madison County site just south of the city of Canton, Mississippi ( I - 55 ), the plant will employ up to 4,000 workers.
The vehicle assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, began producing vehicles in May 2003. The $1.4 billion plant now produces the Nissan Altima, Nissan Quest, Nissan Armada, Nissan Titan and Infiniti QX56. The plant has an annual production capacity of 400,000 vehicles.
2009 ,,, Nissan invests millions to expand plant, launch new line.
Nissan announced its plans to produce commercial vehicles in the U.S. before the economy took a turn for the worse. Although the $118 million dollar investment has presented some challenges in a tough economy, the company remains optimistic.
It sounds like Nissan has made a big investment in Mississippi for the long term.
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