A walkout ends, and strikers find a changed world

ELKHART, Ind. — By 10:30 a.m., the lot at Disabled American Veterans Post 19 is nearly full, and a table spread with potato salad and Port-a-Pit chicken beckons.

The only thing missing is a banner, mutters one of the workers inside the rental hall to another: "Welcome to Our Last Supper."

This is a gathering to mark the end of a 40-month fight over who owns the craftsmanship that gives life to a factory floor. These men and women logged decades pressing, soldering and buffing — making trombones and trumpets of such sinuous precision they are called the Stradivarius of brass.

In the end, though, there is no music.

"Lord God, you know what the plan is for our lives," Bertha Carpenter prays as fellow workers bow their heads. "And let us be ever grateful."

This is the story of a decision — of 234 workers, one company and countless consequences.

Back when times were good, many Americans made decisions that seemed like sure things. Millions of families gambled their homes, betting prices could only go up. Others bet their retirement security, banking on the stock market.

But workers at the Vincent Bach factory bet on what seemed like much more modest expectations. When they walked out on strike, they had no get-rich-quick illusions. At best, the thinking went, if they stuck together they'd keep hold of their prized rung on the economic ladder.

They bet their jobs on it.

A walkout ends, and strikers find a changed world







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But the company and the world around it began to change.

In 1993, two investment bankers who'd previously worked for junk bond king Michael Milken acquired Bach's parent firm in a leveraged buyout. Two years later, they bought famed piano maker Steinway & Sons and merged the businesses under the Steinway name, creating the nation's largest musical instrument manufacturer.

The new owners pushed to speed production. They eliminated the plant's saxophone line, cutting the union work force from 450 to 234. The company was making money, earning $13.8 million in 2005. But executives were wary of Chinese producers, whose $200 trumpets targeted the large student market.

The message was clear in "town meetings" president John Stoner called on one of the plant's loading docks: Change was not a choice. Stoner infuriated some workers, worker Dave Barany says, telling them: "We have the equipment. We own your skills."

The company would not comment for this story, but its demands were clear. On the final day of their contract in March 2006, every worker returned home to find a letter from Stoner.

Bach was losing money on its student instruments. An Asian manufacturer was offering to take over for a fraction of the cost.

"This opportunity for dramatic savings has created a dilemma — for me personally and the Company," Stoner wrote. "If we outsource the student line instruments, it will only be a matter of time before the step up and pro lines are similarly affected. So while I would prefer to keep work and jobs at Bach, we cannot and will not do so if it means we produce instruments at a loss."

The company demanded cuts that would drop average pay $6 an hour. Workers would pay more for health insurance and overtime would be mandatory, a requirement some called a "family killer."


.........Then, with tensions rising, the two sides grasped at compromise — one many workers now say was probably the best chance to end the strike. The offer called for workers to return at wages capped at $21 an hour, along with pricier insurance and mandatory overtime.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


"We should accept this and live to fight another day," Stayton, the union president, told workers from a microphone at the front of the DAV hall.

Bob,
You missed the entire economic point of the article. The fact is the COMPANY WAS NOT PROFITABLE AT THAT LEVEL OF PAY. Everyone in the company had to take a pay cut in order for it to be profitable. The union was running the company out of business because someone else would make it cheaper, was the quality the same, definitly debateable. But the fact that the business came to them and told them what was happening showed the seriousness. The fact that they even gave them the option to come back but be capped at their existing average and the Union folks VOTED NO because they didn't want non-union people in the building. They don't run the company, unions think they run the company. Look at all the bailouts, union run companies and banks that supplied them capital.

I didn't miss grandma's point at all.
I know him better than u.

I wasn't talking about grandma's point. I was talking about the ECONOMIC POINT of the article, see the first line Boob, READ AND COMPREHEND.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: The Bozman,

Workers chilly to Ford contract
UAW members may oppose it

Even with a tentative agreement that is filled with product and job promises -- including a $1,000 per-worker bonus -- a deal reached between Ford Motor Co. and the UAW faces widespread opposition, according to union workers and leaders.

The agreement was recommended for approval by the UAW's top leadership last week, but must be ratified by union members to become official.

Ford, in an effort to obtain the contract changes, has promised the UAW that it will continue to create more than 2,000 jobs across Ford's U.S. plants, add a new product to the lineups at several metro Detroit plants and provide the $1,000 onetime bonus.

Because of the product promises from Ford Motor Co. in a tentative pact with the UAW, union President Ron Gettelfinger said the deal "isn't a concessionary agreement."

Ford, in return for its promises to the UAW, is seeking a wage freeze for entry-level workers, a reduction of skilled-trades classification and the no-strike clause.

Ford's 41,000 UAW members are reluctant to approve additional changes to their labor contract because they already approved an agreement in March that cut benefits and provided Ford with $500 million in annual savings.

Ford executives argue that agreements reached between General Motors Co. and Chrysler Group LLC last spring went ****her than Ford's agreement, putting Ford, the only domestic automaker that didn't accept taxpayer funding this year, at a long-term competitive disadvantage.

And even though Ford has gained market share this year and posted a profit of $834 million for the first half of the year, the company is expected to report a loss of about 21 cents per share when it announces third-quarter earnings later this month.

Ford also faces a disadvantage because GM and Chrysler were able to shed debt during their bankruptcy cases while Ford faces $35 billion in financial obligations it must pay by 2013.


http://www.freep.com/article/2...ntract--UAW-reps-say

Boeing decision delivers blow to union
Associated Press
Friday, October 30, 2009


EVERETT, Wash. --- Matt Gettmann began working in finance at Boeing Co. last year, and it wasn't long before he found himself watching, stunned, as union members prepared for what became an eight-week strike.



Associated Press
Workers build Boeing 787s in North Charleston, S.C. Boeing said Thursday it will open a second assembly line for its 787 jetliner in North Charleston, instead of in the Seattle suburbs.

The work stoppage cost the company billions in deferred revenue and caused some of the delays in production of its new 787 at a time when Boeing was growing increasingly frustrated with labor squabbles.
"There would be a parade of people, thousands and thousands of them, making noises and screaming" -- right in the factory, Mr. Gettmann said. "That's the employee-employer relationship? It's shocking."

On Wednesday, the union was dealt a crushing blow when Boeing decided to open its new 787 line with nonunion workers in South Carolina and not the Seattle suburbs where it has had a presence for generations.

It is another sign that it might be time for the Machinists union to re-evaluate its relationship with Boeing, even as the union argues that its workers offer the best value for the company and that it is committed to making sure future work lands in Washington state.

"This looks very much like a company that's tired of dealing with this union, and they've found a way out," said Richard Aboulafia, an analyst with Teal Group. "The union needs to put aside the concept of who's right and who's wrong, and look at who's winning and who's losing. This is not going well from their perspective."

In the next three to five years, Boeing is expected to decide on replacement planes for its best-selling 737 and 777 models and where they will be built. It's also trying to land a contract to build a 767 tanker for the Air Force.

South Carolina offered Boeing $170 million in incentives and relief from sales taxes on things like fuel used in test flights, and Boeing's workers there voted to decertify their union last month.

South Carolina ranks third-lowest in percentage of employees who have joined a union or similar association, at 3.9 percent, without a single work day lost to strikes in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.







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Sterling Heights Ford UAW local may ask for revote
Workers fear 'no' vote will lose axle work for site
Bryce G. Hoffman / The Detroit News

Ford Motor Co. could shift work promised to its Sterling Heights axle factory as part of a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers to a German supplier after the local union voted overwhelmingly against the deal, according to a union source.

Now, some workers there are organizing a petition urging UAW President Ron Gettelfinger to call for a revote.

Spurred on by union dissidents who say the time for concessions is over, rank-and-file members at plants across the country have cast their ballots against the proposed contract changes, which were negotiated by Ford and UAW leaders earlier this month. While the union has not released any numbers, people familiar with the situation said about 3,000 more workers have so far voted against ratification than have voted in favor of it.

Under the terms of the agreement, Sterling Axle was supposed to get new rear-wheel drive work that would have added about 100 jobs. Now, union sources fear that work will be given to Getrag Corp., a German supplier with a nonunion factory in North Carolina. Local union leaders also were told Ford is considering outsourcing other components made at the plant, where 80 percent of workers voted against ratification.

The company says any change in its plans for Sterling will not come until after voting is completed at all locals.

"We haven't made any decision," said Ford spokesman Mark Truby. "We're not going to comment on future product sourcing during the ratification process."

With voting scheduled to continue through Sunday at the remaining UAW locals, momentum could still shift in favor of the agreement. But Ford executives have little hope of that happening.

"This may be the start of a little hard ball," said David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research. "If Ford can't be competitive on labor, I think we'll see more outsourcing."

http://detnews.com/article/200...l-may-ask-for-revote

Concessions need to start at the top.

Alan Mulally, CEO $21,670,674.00
Don LecLair, CFO $11,703,127.00
Lewis Booth, V.P.Ford Europe
$10,264,463.00
Mark Fields, President-The Americas
$8,389,898.00
Mike Bannister,CEO FMCC
$8,677,747.00


Alan Mulally, CEO

$21,670,674.00


UAW Worker Per Hr $28.38 Mulally $10,418.59

Per Wk UAW $1135.20 Mulally $416,743.73

Per Yr UAW $59,030.40 Mulally $21,670,674.00

Contract has been opened 2 times already since 2007 with concessions given back to Ford totaling $15,040
through 2011 per employee.

Assuming 36,000 employees: $541,440,000 in compensation concessions.

Now tell me in all honesty, how much income is needed to provide for a family of 4???????

Please leave your CLOWN mask at home........

The bozos at Sterling will be supporting their families on welfare when the unemployment bennies run out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'd say Ford management earned their money, the government motors and obama motors exec's earned comparable salaries and look where they are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OK BobH,

Something to think about. Would it be better to have consessions or no job at all? I agree the CFO, CIO, CEO and high level exec's are making a lot of money but the mentality of saying "well if they don't give then we won't give". Use a little common sense. If these companies go under then they will still be rich, you guys will be out of a job! That is the bottom line.

quote:

Originally posted by The Bozman:
OK BobH,

Something to think about. Would it be better to have consessions or no job at all? I agree the CFO, CIO, CEO and high level exec's are making a lot of money but the mentality of saying "well if they don't give then we won't give". Use a little common sense. If these companies go under then they will still be rich, you guys will be out of a job! That is the bottom line.

What was given up by the hard working Americans at Ford to keep them from getting in line for bailout money that GM and Chrysler desperately needed and recieved?

All of the above post including.......

1. GEN
2. ETAP
3. Overtime premiums after 8 hrs.
4. Holidays
5. Christmas Bonus
6. Performance bonus (Salaried did not give up and received hefty bennies immediately after employees lost theirs)
7. Two Tier wages
8. SUB
9. COLA
10. Insurance reductions
11. Pay increases from 2007 thru 2011( to secure payments being made to retirees like blowhard)
12. Reduced time from each hour break time
13. Outsourcing off janitorial services

Boz, you say no job at all.
Just what is left when there is no more incenitive to keep doing your best everyday?

How much longer will the Ford Truck remain at the top like it has for the last 33 yrs?
Incenative drops, quality and job performance will drop.
The success of the BIG 3 is solely on the quality and engineering that is put into each and every vehicle made.
Not the CLOWNS at the top who sukk off the cream..

Do you actually know the % cost in employees wages that makes up the selling price?
Check 1 of yur blogs out.....

The BIG 3 will never fold.
It was the BIG 3 and the American workers that keep this Country defended and secure during WW1 and WW2. Some ppl still have a memory.
What was being built in their plants when cars were not being built???????

Yep, those uneducated unskilled workers that you and english talk of.

Over the years, the UAW workers served thier Country just as you proclaim you did, some giving more and some like blowhard billy, who didn't do anything and gave less.

But still they are Americans and deserve being treated like Americans. Not being called unskilled or uneducated.
So much for you ppl who call yourself Christians.

Every job takes a degree of skill no matter how small the task.
Ask english.........

Boz, the vote was 93% voting no @ our plant.


What Ford was asking was an entry level employee earning 15.00 an hr. with no wage increase thru 2015.(keep in mind of no incenative for performance)
No insurance coverage being offered, guess they were banking on the National Health Plan.

Combining trade classifications, adding a "NO Strike" clause and dangiling a measly $1,000 up front as a signing bonus.
Why he11, them workers "shooting screws in fenders" @ Detroit make that in 2 1/2 days.
By some ppl's fantasies.

Don't know whats down the line and don't worry much either.

Was kicking tires on a 6.1 SRT and just maybe trade in the vette.
Paid out 442.00 for a blower relay, that kept my battery dead, to the local GM dealership.

Those GM Repair Dealerships are the ones fawking everybody........
All Republican owned...........

Wonder what the Prez of the UAW makes?

quote:

Originally posted by Mike English:
Wonder what the Prez of the UAW makes?

Probably right in line with counter help @ a GM dealership.

Take a good look into a mirrow before you call anyone unskilled and uneducated.

Amazing, you ask a simple question and get a smart answer from a person who cant even spell.

Typical babbling buffoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
He says my labors at GM were not beneficial to the Corporation?
One example, our plating lines pumped out 12 chrome plated bumpers ready to ship every 58 seconds. I came in one afternoon during a time we were air freighting bumpers to keep assembly plants running and line #4 had been down for almost ten (10) hours. I had it up and running in seven (7) minutes. No telling how long it would have been down otherwise because the 1st shift electricians and the engineers were off on the wrong track!
This one instance probably saved the Corporation more money than the babbling buffoon will earn in his lifetime, TIMES 1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

11. Pay increases from 2007 thru 2011( to secure payments being made to retirees like blowhard)
Love it Ha Ha

Don't forget Dec 31st for me.

I need to ask you a question BH, I replaced last month a blower switch under the right side of my dash that only cost 98 bucks. If that is the same one you replaced, they screwed you. It came with a wiring harness also.

That's why the socialist liberal kooks keep a tube of k-y jelly on their person at all times!
The service manager was probably licking his chops before the babbling buffoon got out of his car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BH must have let them replace it, I replaced my own. Did they charge that much labor..WOW..

quote:

I need to ask you a question BH, I replaced last month a blower switch under the right side of my dash that only cost 98 bucks. If that is the same one you replaced, they screwed you. It came with a wiring harness also.

Don't know if its the same 1 or not but i'll tell you what i'll do.

I will post the part ##### and Labor and I will wait until mikey gets back to work on Monday and he can gladly provide and post any info as to if I was screwed by the GM dealership that blowhard and you are assuming.
mikey works behind the counter @ a GM dealership.

The ball will be in his court for answering your question.

Blower Motor Module 1 52479971

Parts 247.27
Labor 139.05
Shop charge for repair order 8.34 ++++ Now there's a good 1....
Sales Tax 25.65

Total 420.31

I had also asked for a ballpark estimate on tuning up the vette.

Thier response was 750.00 t0 850.00 $$$$$$$$$

I wasn't born yesterday to walk outa there with a smirk on my face.

I could have very well been screwed but i'll let mikey answer your question.