Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Maybury
Wes
I wasn't trying to belittle the work that the UAW workers do, I was indicating that they are very well paid for the skills they require and the work they do. I also indicated that I was referring to the line workers in a car assembly plant, not at the parts suppliers. Much of the assembly operations are run by machines and/or robots now. Painting is a good example of robots doing the job today.
I hold an MBA from a world renown university and I probably do not make more money than the average UAW worker. I know that I certainly do not have the benefits that they have. For example our plant will be shutting down for a few weeks due to the recession and management will have to either take time off with no pay or take paid vacation
Wayne
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I know, Wayne. I was just trying to put things in another perspective.
I firmly believe in the value of a college education. A successful degree is one way to prove you have the aptitude ...and a proper background can be priceless. But, if I were to call a "spade a spade", a major traditional value of a degree is being of the same "papered" brotherhood as the job interviewer. Even better is having attended the same institution. In the end, the day-to-day real operation of most jobs are actually learned OJT. And it is a continuing process for all of us.
I suggest some of the perspective is thus:
You probably
do not make any less than the average UAW worker ...because they make what they do. This is a difficult concept for many corporate indoctrinated to grasp, but labor unions have affected the entire compensation of an American class of population known as the middleclass, whether they belong to a union or not. If you're not at the top, and you're not at the bottom, then you are a brother in the destiny of the middleclass.
The time off you speak of, with no pay, may in fact be paid because of the labor movement. It will be called "vacation". Most think of it as an entitlement already, but think whence it came. This, in keeping with my assertion that,
'The Labor Class, aka Middleclass, usually has to "ask"; or benefit unaware from somebody else "asking".' Asking, negotiating, for them. Not just in the same factory, but your doctor, your dentist, your lawyer. The healthy middleclass is the root source of their compensation, too.
There is no doubt that some segments, such as UAW, have negotiated extraordinarily favorable compensation. They, like you and I, work hard to "row the boat". They want a major share of the good times. They don't want to share the bad times; particularily when it appears the main reason is somebody else was asleep at the tiller, beyond their control.
There is also likely some upper corporate management (class) above you that has negotiated similar superior compensation. I once worked in lower/middle corporate management and this merciless squeeze from both sides is evident. I stood at the bottom of the hill for that which rolled down. I was the handiest management-post to serve the whims of some crude and disrespectful members of labor. But I know why I am paid as I am.
The secret is to eventually balance the control of corporate "unions" with the labor "unions" and try to save the wonderful concept known as the middleclass. Selfish greed has no boundaries. It is not a matter of good or bad, but of reality. At least that's the way I see it.
Wes
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