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GM just announced plans to lay off 25,000 employees by 2008. 
It's something like 85% capacity. GM's got a number of issues -- both white collar and blue collar:AmesGTO said:They said the are reducing the number of employee's so that they end up with factories that run at 100% capacity. What do they currently run at 75% capacity?
:agreeb_a_betterperson said:It's something like 85% capacity. GM's got a number of issues -- both white collar and blue collar:
On the white collar side -- it's an attitude that the unions are at fault for everything -- even though they were the ones who offered and signed contracts with generous medical coverages, paying workers to stay home when they're not needed, etc..
On the blue collar side -- they've got a lot of people that just have horrible attitudes. An attitude that GM is simply too big to die. Well, there are bunch of still unemployed Bethlehem Steel employees hanging out in Central/Eastern Pennsylvania -- with no hope of ever having another $20 an hour job again.
When Chrysler was ready to fold in the 70's, one of the UAW executives got on national television and said "the government MUST offer us job training programs." Excuse me? If the UAW was an inspired organization -- they'd be a true partner with GM and look for ways to do things faster and more efficiently. THEY should be training their workers to be more valuable.
Sadly, their idea of a "dream job," even to this day, is to come to the plant drunk and sleep on a couch all day.
+1 :agreeb_a_betterperson said:It's something like 85% capacity. GM's got a number of issues -- both white collar and blue collar:
On the white collar side -- it's an attitude that the unions are at fault for everything -- even though they were the ones who offered and signed contracts with generous medical coverages, paying workers to stay home when they're not needed, etc..
On the blue collar side -- they've got a lot of people that just have horrible attitudes. An attitude that GM is simply too big to die. Well, there are bunch of still unemployed Bethlehem Steel employees hanging out in Central/Eastern Pennsylvania -- with no hope of ever having another $20 an hour job again.
When Chrysler was ready to fold in the 70's, one of the UAW executives got on national television and said "the government MUST offer us job training programs." Excuse me? If the UAW was an inspired organization -- they'd be a true partner with GM and look for ways to do things faster and more efficiently. THEY should be training their workers to be more valuable.
Sadly, their idea of a "dream job," even to this day, is to come to the plant drunk and sleep on a couch all day.
Yes, we all hope.... :cheersGroucho said:+1 :agree
Don't get me started on Unions-- but they are far from the only major problem at the General.
That's a lot of people to lay off, and I'm sorry for the folks who worked hard only to get laid off... but let's hpe GM emerges from this leaner and meaner.
Leave Austrailia alone...from what I'm to understand, those blokes make Great Cars! :coolwestell said:one major thing about this that really pisses me off, it these are from USA held jobs.
what about spreading it around the globe a little ? :confused
Unfortunately, the manufacturing of cars and trucks in the United States is far more expensive here than anywhere else. The environmental laws, the worker safety laws, the union contracts, the way medical costs are set up, etc. And I'll tell you what -- the average American consumer would buy cars screwed together in Iran or North Korea if they were cheap enough, even though those governments are working day and night on as many ways to be a pain in our collective butts as possible. It's the only thing GM can do to survive.westell said:one major thing about this that really pisses me off, it these are from USA held jobs.
what about spreading it around the globe a little ? :confused
GM europe and australia are doing fine, why penalize them?westell said:one major thing about this that really pisses me off, it these are from USA held jobs.
what about spreading it around the globe a little ? :confused
b_a_betterperson said:Buy from domestic companies, you allow them to generate profit to reinvest in the United States and expand to other markets. Buy from foreign based companies, you allow them to hurt the United States by exporting profit and giving them the capital to grow elsewhere. Period.
As for unfair trade practices, don't have the time to get into it. Some people get it. Some don't.
Sure, it's easy to bash GM and tell all their suppliers and employees "tough crap" instead trying to help them out by purchasing the best product they offer. They're so stupid -- they get what they deserve.
Since you live in Florida, maybe we should tell you guys "tough crap" instead of helping your state out the next time a hurricane throws your alligators and toothless Earnhardt fans around like ping pong balls in a lottery machine. Maybe we should go so far as to block all the highways out of the state so you have to ride it out.
After all, you chose to live in hurriance country -- so why should other people have to bail you out of your bad decision? Why should other people's property insurance rates go up to help pay for all the damage?
After all, people get what they deserve, right?
If you've got a 2005 -- that lump under the rug is supposed to be your dead pedal.JMVorbeck said:Gosh guys, lets stick to car talk here. We all have something in common, and thats why we meet here. Lets not hash out political views, and fling stinging personal barbs.
b a.....My car was supposed to have a dead pedal....how the hell did you get one?
fergey.......Go Gators?????????
LOL
A place to rest your tired, weary left foot when its not busily pumping the clutch. Most standard shift cars have them. The 04 didnt but [they] advertised the 05 as getting one along with the rest of the upgrades. I thought they scrapped the idea by production time, I wasnt aware that the stuipd bump was supposed to be it.JTYLER1604 said:What the heck is a dead pedal?