General Motors Backs Are Severly Against The Wall

[Guest Josh]

Taking one quick glance at the "CyberSurvey" poll over on the DetroitNews web-site will show you that people simply put, do not care regarding the UAW (duh, Josh) Delphi or more importantly do not care about General Motors as significant enough to keep around.

This is very telling. The day in age when General Motors has gone from the epitimy of Automotive Excellence, of titanic proportions (yet, not quite failing. I'm not one to count them down just yet) and you can really see that people do not think GM is worthwhile in todays market place, nor in the future marketplace of the United States.

Just sit back and read the responses the Detroit News has asked on the comments by Mr. Wagoner that: Rick Wagoner says all sides have too much to lose in a Delphi strike, and it's unlikely. Do you agree?

The astounding results can be read here: SurveySays!

[capriceman]

GM will not be the only company effected with a Delphi strike. Companies that buy Delphi stuff will hurt to. like Ford DCX and other companies.

[Guest buickman]

Time for the union to take a stand. I say strike until Wagoner is replaced and the union is given Board representation. In exchange, relinquish the jobs bank. If the UAW approaches this correctly, they can earn public support, solidify a future for the membership, and strengthen General Motors in the process.

[thegriffon]

Yes it worked so well for UAL ;-)

[Member55]

Time for the union to take a stand. I say strike until Wagoner is replaced and the union is given Board representation. In exchange, relinquish the jobs bank. If the UAW approaches this correctly, they can earn public support, solidify a future for the membership, and strengthen General Motors in the process.

[post="49054"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Board representation? Why don't they use their money to buy a 10% stake in GM, if they want Board representation. This company is so screwed, it's next to impossible to fire a worker, and now they should get Board representation too. Communism at it's best.

[91z4me]

Time for the union to take a stand. I say strike until Wagoner is replaced and the union is given Board representation. In exchange, relinquish the jobs bank. If the UAW approaches this correctly, they can earn public support, solidify a future for the membership, and strengthen General Motors in the process.

[post="49054"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

When did they let you back. <_<

[Guest buickman]

Worker representation on the Board is well overdue. The current lineup of directors isn't getting it. There's a lot to be said about having everyone on the same page going in the same direction. That's not communism, it's common sense.

[91z4me]

Worker representation on the Board is well overdue. The current lineup of directors isn't getting it. There's a lot to be said about having everyone on the same page going in the same direction. That's not communism, it's common sense.

[post="49069"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Most workers couldn't care less if they were making televisions or cars so long as they get their money, trust me I know quite a few UAW members, and my mother is a member of the steelworker's union. They have no business being represented on the board unless they own stock.

[Guest buickman]

You bring up a valid argument, and I do agree with you. Thanks for the input. I believe the solution is for the UAW to invest their strike fund in GM common stock. With over a billion in cash available, do you suppose an investment of that magnitude would entitle them to representation?

[Member55]

You bring up a valid argument, and I do agree with you. Thanks for the input. I believe the solution is for the UAW to invest their strike fund in GM common stock. With over a billion in cash available, do you suppose an investment of that magnitude would entitle them to representation?

[post="49086"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Anybody owning almost 10% of a company should be represented on the board.

[91z4me]

You bring up a valid argument, and I do agree with you. Thanks for the input. I believe the solution is for the UAW to invest their strike fund in GM common stock. With over a billion in cash available, do you suppose an investment of that magnitude would entitle them to representation?

[post="49086"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

OK so lets say they invest in GM, the company that pays their salaries a novel idea I know. Now they have a tiny intrest in the company. Lets say they get 1 person on the board of directors. Who do they choose? The leader's of the UAW aren't exactly experts on the workings of a multi-national, giant company like GM are they? They don't have the industrial expertice of many of our insiders who have studied the industry for decades. Basically they don't have the capability to make informed decisions that are good for the company's future.

Also would they really have the companies best intrest at heart? Lets use an example, would a UAW member have voted on starting studies to determine the cost/benefit rational behind bringing the Holden designed and built Monaro to the states as the GTO? They would see it as GM using its overseas power to take away workers from the US. Workers that could have built the car here. Workers that would strengthen their position on the board, because as we all know human beings are in essensce selfish creatures who do what they do for them and if it benefits others then great if not then that is fine too.

Now would the UAW hire someone who knows the industry and the workings of said giant company? Probably not but lets play devil's advocate. Who do they hire? Bob Lutz is a global product specialists. He has worked for MANY auto companies and has seen what has worked and what has not. He was already brought in, does GM need another person like that sitting in a boardroom, NO.

Do they hire a 'investment specialist' from Wall Street? Basically this would be someone who doesn't know autos, who has probably never changed his own oil or worked in a factory, who comes from money and will die in money. This is NOT the type of person who GM needs on the board. They would be doing what Kerkorian is doing, looking out for short term profits.

Basically buickman your not coming up with true answers. You seem to be trying to feel out the best ideas so you can use them to garner support. I am a 24 year old male with no connection to the auto industry, save personal intrest in a company I like. I know you have decades of experience but look I just took an idea that you thought was good enough to throw in the lake and see if you got a bite and I refuted it as useless and unneeded within a couple of paragraphs. Wasn't this what happened in Willmington this year? You were shut out and put out because you don't know enough to be of anything more than an annoyance to the board. I think a lot of your ideas have merit but your audience is wrong. You should be directing your ideas to the dealers, because hey it is what you know. And I am sure you know it well, your experience speaks for itself. But in the board room you pose no threat to anyone other than yourself. When you bring up ideas that are not thought out completely you discredit yourself.

I advise, one again, that you put your differences with Rick Wagner aside and move on. Your 'plan' isn't going to be sold now or EVER to the board. You should reformulate your ideas and make your target the dealers. They need tons of help. The service, sales, and localized marketing need to be improved to help the overall company. But the dealer's are individual entities not controlled by GM. They are franchises, as I am sure you know. You are well respected among this group and you carry power with your experience. Please heed my warnings step back and pick a new audience, re-think your plan and go anew.

[capriceman]

One comment GM has enough money to last 2 years with out making $1 dollar profit. so yeah it hurts but not as bad as the press thinks it is.(period)

[post="48970"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I said it before and I will say it again!

[Guest buickman]

Thank you for the sincere advice. You're right about approaching the dealers. In fact that's next on the agenda after the UAW, and a few upcoming media events. This plan for Return to Greatness to be implemented will appear throughout many facets. I agree the dealers need help, however GM needs it more and for the dealers to succeed GM must change their marketing. That my friend is the key to the turn around. As to my throwing ideas in the lake, I respectfully must disagree. Support is pouring in to GeneralWatch from UAW locals around the country. These people are looking for answers and leadership. An example from Wilmington: "Lastly what can I do as an employee/shareholder to help you get the message out? I work at the Wilmington Assembly in Delaware. I know you come in for the annual meeting, when you are in the neighborhood give me a call, I am interested in talking with anyone who wants to save my company and has good common sense ideas." "Solidarity Forever" should apply to ALL GM employees, retirees, management, suppliers, dealers, and most of all customers.

[91z4me]

Thank you for the sincere advice. You're right about approaching the dealers. In fact that's next on the agenda after the UAW, and a few upcoming media events. This plan for Return to Greatness to be implemented will appear throughout many facets. I agree the dealers need help, however GM needs it more and for the dealers to succeed GM must change their marketing. That my friend is the key to the turn around.
As to my throwing ideas in the lake, I respectfully must disagree. Support is pouring in to GeneralWatch from UAW locals around the country. These people are looking for answers and leadership.

An example from Wilmington:

"Lastly what can I do as an employee/shareholder to help you get the message out?  I work at the Wilmington Assembly in Delaware. I know you come in for the annual meeting, when you are in the neighborhood give me a call, I am interested in talking with anyone who wants to save my company and has good common sense ideas."

"Solidarity Forever" should apply to ALL GM employees, retirees, management, suppliers, dealers, and most of all customers.

[post="49120"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Jim, the UAW is rallying behind you because they think that you carry enough clout to get their objectives accross the table. They don't look at things objectively as neither do you or anyone associated with GM, as I am sure you have heard.

The problem with calling for a strike and a strong line with the union is that a strike will not help anyone. Lets say that the worker's in Delphi's plants strike. OK now GM is crippled because they have no parts to assemble vehicles. Now GM has to idle the entire factory work force, UAW members. GM looses a LOT of money everyday it idles a plant. By idling all the plants GM looses TONS of money that could be invested into new products. If a strike were to occur all work on future vehicles would come to a stand still. GM would be hurt and hurt bad. Until either the strike ended, and trust me GM will remember this come 2007, or until replacement workers were pulled in and brought up to steam.

See the BIGGEST problem with the UAW is how they see themselves. Ask a person who works at say a Flint plant who they work for and you will most likely get this answer "I work for the UAW." That is the biggest problem right there. They don't see themselves as GM employees they see themselves first off as UAW members and as GM employees second. That is NOT how it should be.

As for UAW members looking for leadership, sorry I don't see that. Their elected leaders will provide the only type of leadership they can muster, a false sense of leadership. Union leaders will come in 'demanding' action to help these employees. They will deny any concessions. They will put on a big show and blow a bunch of hot air. They might act tough but they aren't in the driver's seat right now. GM made the first move Delphi. Delphi is a crushing blow for the UAW. Eventhough nothing has been settled in this it set a precedent. The companies ARE willing to declare bankruptcy to get their act together. If the UAW doesn't blink then the court will do it for them. GM will be the nice big brother it is and say "Ok we will help out the UAW with some of these employees BUT remember this in a few years."

Guys the writing is on the walls all you gotta do is read it now.

[Chicagoland]

Somebody is living in the past.