A union auto worker rants about several factors in the decline of the US auto industry.
Now I'm not saying that he's 100% right, but read it and see what you think.
I've posted on this situation myslef, several months ago;
http://myforddreams.blogspot.com/2005/05/support-your-favorite-team.html
And not trying to go off on a rant myself, but it has always bothered me to see union workers driving foreign made vehicles. I'm a union Engineer, not working in the auto industry or related field. It's always been my opinion, that union workers bear a responsability to support other union workers. Just like crossing a picket line, buying a foreign made, non union produced vehicle is not suportive.
Now in this case, it's obviously not just the buying of foreign cars, but poor management and the union's unrealistic outlook. Combine this with CEOs setting up sweat retrirement packages. It's all cumulative.
I'm not calling for protective tarrifs at this late stage in the game, nor am I saying to burn foreign cars at football games like they did in the 70's. Just read the articles and think the next time you go shoppping.
3 comments:
Nevermind protective tarrifs...how 'bout just fair play? Adjust Japanese currency valuation and force balance trade. (Import our agricultural goods for example).
You are absolutely correct that Union is not the only thing that is at fault for the current state of domestic companies, and we need to take multilateral steps to save ourselves.
The mentality that is missing in domestic commercial policy is the lack or urgency. This may not be a war fought with bullets and soldiers, but make no mistake it is an economic war. The Japanese & the Europeans with the support of their governments are pounding away at us.
We need the urgency to fight off the Germans & the Japanese once again...but I'm not so sure we have the stomach for it anymore.
guilty too, my Magnum was built in ontario canada... And My next toy will be Japanese, Mazdaspeed6.
But I agree how can you park a foriegn built car and go make cars.
Shawn, your point about "fair play" is well taken. The lack of urgency in our commercial policy is unlikely to change either. While I write this post, I am reminded that the Big Three are their own worst enemies, importing parts and cars from overseas at an alarming rate.
It's not just the Germans and Japanese that we should be concerned about either, the Koreans are a major force now and the Chinese are just months away from importing cheap vehicles here.
Dotty, a GTO does not really count as an American Car, that's true, but don't beat yourself up. Many people that buy a car from the Big Three are unaware that it may be built overseas.
Midnight, your Magnum being built in Ontario, is irelevant, it was built in a union plant CAW. The new Mazda is also just a drop in the bucket.
I'm not saying that every purchase of a foreign vehicle is a nail in the country's coffin. But as Shawn points out, this country has no policies akin to those of Europe, Japan, Korea and China. We are not playing on a level field. My biggest personal gripe is the number of Union employees driving foreign non union built cars. It seems very hypocritical to me.
Also people who work in the auto industry that buy vehicles not built by their employers or partners.
There was an article months ago, about Chrysler employees complaining that they had to park in a lot further from work, because they drove non Chrysler products. I agree with Chrysler on this, if you don't buy a product your company makes, then park farther down the road. It's like a beef worker eating vegitarian everyday. If you earn your living there, don't you want to support your own job????
Post a Comment