Leftlane took an in-depth look at the apparent double standards exhibited by the United Auto Workers in an opinion piece in late 2010, but now a different union leader has spoken out, sharing similar thoughts in addition to an overly honest statement regarding the UAW’s relationship with automakers.
The latest commentary coming from the upper echelon of the UAW’s leadership was made by Jimmy Settles, vice president and director of the UAW Ford department, who commented on the recent bonuses paid to Ford’s executives. Settles explained that he has no problem with the bonuses since he knows the UAW will be compensated similarly.
“I am going to look at that on the up side and say that I know that they compensated them very well at the top, so I feel that they are going to compensate us at the bottom very well,” said Settles, adding, “they believe in fairness.”
Settles’ suggestions go above and beyond the fact that Ford already issued bonus checks to its hourly workers earlier this month, averaging over $5,000, as part of its profit sharing – a move that was not required per the contract with the UAW.
Settles went on to explain that with this year’s negotiations with Ford the UAW is “looking for everything – plus.” Settles went on to explain that the priority of the negotiations is to provide “what’s best for the membership,” with no mention of mutual benefits for Ford and the UAW.
Short-sightedness
The conversation offered by Settles is troublesomely short-sighted and selfish, following the pattern of the UAW immediately expecting “their fair share” when automakers post profits even for just a short period of time. But the UAW has never approached a single automaker to offer concessions when the profits turn to losses. UAW leadership says often that it wants a mutually beneficial relationship with the automakers, and yet it seems that its priority is far and away to increase its own income, rather than to develop a long-term mutually beneficial arrangement to keep both the UAW and automakers in prosperity.
Settles also offered an interesting thought regarding the UAW’s plans to continue targeting Japanese automakers operating in North America. The UAW has long argued that its involvement in production does not create a hindrance to automakers, but rather a positive synergy, and yet Settles said, “If they [Japanese automakers] are in dire need, we would not be trying to take advantage of the situation [aftermath of the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan].”
Settles’ comment seems to suggest that the UAW organizing at an automaker would somehow create a strain on the respective automaker, a suggestion that seems to conflict with past arguments by the union.
What’s your take on the recent suggestions made by UAW management? Does the UAW have a point, or are they asking for too much, too soon?
References
1.’UAW expects Ford…’ view
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