Are unions becoming obsolete?

[Corey Bit Spank]

I'm not saying they're all not doing something, but they overstaff many times. This is actually straight out of a union leader's mouth from Delphi....

[Asonyexec]

He drove a fork lift "train" carrying engines and transaxles to the assembly area. Drop off a full load, take the empty one and bring it to the rail area, where it would be exchanged for a new train.


Perfect example of how unions strangle a company. What would happen if your father in law were asked to leave his lift truck job for 2 days because they needed extra help in (and I don't know auto mfg) interior assembly?? I'll tell you what would happen, that manager would hear "it's not my job, I drive a lift truck." And that's how unions hamper the efficiencies of companies - by restricting managements ability to move bodies where they are needed to improve a process.

I won't even get into unearned/automatic compensation increases based on nothing but a contract.

Unions had their time and they were effective but this is a free market society, if employer X isn't treating their employees well then they go to employer Y where they are better treated. Eventually (through the free market capitalist system) employer X is left with lousy employees turning out a lousy product and eventually closing its door - darwinism in the business world.

That's my red blooded proud to be a capitalist pig take on unions - a good idea whose time has past... a lot like the video game PONG

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by percynjpn

If it means the demise of the UAW, the group that was one of the major reasons America's auto industry might was almost destroyed in the 70's and 80', I sure hope so!!

Agreed. Unions had their place in the early 1900s but now they seem to be all about extortion. What is really amusing is when union workers go on strike for a few weeks and end up with nominal wage and benefit increases so it takes years to make up for wages lost during the strike.

Even better is when the NHL's union kept the players out for a whole year and basically ended up with what was offered before the strike.

That being said, GMs biggest problem is not the union or health care costs, it is trying to compete with other car companies by building rental car crap like the Malibu.

[DaGonz]

My father in law also did his time on the line (he started out working in the body shop applying lead solder to fill the gaps when the roof assemblies were welded) and bid for the job as it came up. He didn't always agree with the Union's stance on things, but it the contracts that the UAW and GM worked out did provide him wtih the means to support his family.

Not all unions have the same stringent " not my job, man" rules. Painting all unions with your broad brush is like saying one car manufacturer's product lines are junk because you knew someone who knew someone who's brother in law's cousin's uncle had a lemon.