Posted on 02/22/2014 5:08:58 PM PST by smokingfrog
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers' membership and dues are down sharply from just six years ago. In another sign of weakness, the union suffered a stunning defeat this month when it tried to organize a Tennessee factory run by labor-friendly Volkswagen. The rejection, by a close vote, was a major setback in the union's effort to expand in the South, where non-union, foreign companies such as VW, Nissan and Hyundai are rapidly growing.
But instead of relief, Detroit's three automakers — Ford, Chrysler and General Motors — are increasingly anxious about the 78-year old union's future.
For them, it's a "devil you know" situation. They worry that the 382,000-member UAW could be absorbed by a more hostile union. Such a merger could disrupt a decade of labor-management peace that has helped America's auto industry survive the financial crisis and emerge much stronger, according to a person with knowledge of executive discussions.
Another union might not be as willing to keep labor costs competitive with overseas automakers, says the person, who asked not to be identified because the discussions are confidential.
Despite talk of a union merger, Gary Chaison, a labor relations professor at Clark University in Worcester, Mass., says he doesn't see the UAW giving up its identity and history by combining with another organization.
"It's something that the employers always fear," he says.
Spokesmen for Ford, GM and Chrysler declined comment, and a top UAW official says the automakers' worries are unfounded.
Even as it struggles, the UAW remains the wealthiest union in the nation, with assets of more than $1 billion at the end of 2012. Officials point to a revived U.S. auto industry and more hiring at UAW-represented factories, moves that have stabilized membership dues that have been falling since 2006.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsbtv.com ...
Thanks for the ping; post. Perhaps the UAW members could get part-time jobs to fill up the coffer$ of the yoonyan.
“Why should it be a problem for automakers?”
Why? Because a part of the Automaker bailout was for the UAW to take over the pension/benefits for all the retired autoworkers.
When they lose membership and gain no new members, the math fails to add up. What happens when the fund is bankrupt...again? All those 2nd tier younger workers dump the union and go on strike!
Michigan is now RTW. The next contract those new workers making 1/2 the pay and benefits will tell the UAW to shove it up their @ss and stop paying dues.
The UAW will be dead within 10 years!
Grieving AP Virtually Dares GOP to Create More Jobs in Tenn. After UAW Loss at VW-Chattanooga
A Monday evening report by Tom Krisher and Erik Schelzig comes off more as a “put up or shut up” dare to those who opposed UAW representation than anything resembling objective reporting. The pair wants to know what Republicans are going to do achieve job growth in the wake of the UAW loss. The obvious response is that despite well-known federally-imposed regulatory barriers to job growth, Tennessee Republican Governor Bill Haslam and the Volunteer State’s GOP-controlled legislature have been doing a far better than average job, if you will, of creating a conducive atmosphere for payroll employment growth in the state. But first, let’s visit our in-mourning AP reporters and headline writer (bolds are mine):
Dear AP,
Please tell me how many jobs the UAW has created.
... crickets...
And just Friday Obama was wishing happy birthday for his porkulus bailouts.
I guess running a business is harder than shaking them down. Aye, UAW?
Huh? There's only two more hostile unions that I can think of besides UAW. The MEA and the SEIU.
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.