Detroit automakers mull plan to stop paying people who don't work
As Douglas McIntyre wrote earlier, the United Auto Workers union is in talks with some of Detroit's big three automakers to put an end to the infamous "job bank" -- a program that allows laid off factory workers to report to work and play cards, read the newspaper, and maybe do a little volunteer work while continuing to be paid full wages and benefits. (Read more about it in this 2005 piece from The Detroit News.)
In defending the job bank before Congress, UAW president Ron Gettelfinger said that, "Since September of 2005 through September of 2008, we have lost 47,000 workers at General Motors. By the same token, during that period of time and with that loss, we have all but virtually eliminated our jobs banks at all three companies."
But The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that there are about 1,400 workers in the Ford (NYSE: F) job bank, 1,000 at General Motors (NYSE: GM) and 500 at Chrysler.
That's down by a lot from the numbers of a year or two ago, but the point is this: before we start asking taxpayers who have nothing to do with the problem to start peeling 25 billion dollar bills, wouldn't it be a good idea to, oh, I don't know, make sure that all the people who are on the payroll are working?
It's easy to blame the unions for the company's woes, but the bottom line is that the fault lies with the corporate management, which agreed to outrageous programs and saddled the industry with enormous legacy costs because it had no impact on the company's short-term earnings and stock price.
In defending the job bank before Congress, UAW president Ron Gettelfinger said that, "Since September of 2005 through September of 2008, we have lost 47,000 workers at General Motors. By the same token, during that period of time and with that loss, we have all but virtually eliminated our jobs banks at all three companies."
But The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that there are about 1,400 workers in the Ford (NYSE: F) job bank, 1,000 at General Motors (NYSE: GM) and 500 at Chrysler.
That's down by a lot from the numbers of a year or two ago, but the point is this: before we start asking taxpayers who have nothing to do with the problem to start peeling 25 billion dollar bills, wouldn't it be a good idea to, oh, I don't know, make sure that all the people who are on the payroll are working?
It's easy to blame the unions for the company's woes, but the bottom line is that the fault lies with the corporate management, which agreed to outrageous programs and saddled the industry with enormous legacy costs because it had no impact on the company's short-term earnings and stock price.











Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-01-2008 @ 4:14PM
Mike said...
I concur whole heartedly. Both the union and management have been milking this antiquated system for years. Is it any wonder that Detroit has been and continues to be uncompetitive in the global markets? In what other industry can an employee be paid these high salaries for doing nothing...except perhaps for the senior executives who are charged with leading these organizations!
12-01-2008 @ 5:19PM
shelly said...
STOP PAYING PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORK?
That's a brilliant idea. A bit late in thinking of it. But, never the less brilliant.
If they do that, The not so big 3 should be able to do just fine, without the tax payer welfare funding after all.
12-01-2008 @ 7:05PM
FlagranteDelicto said...
Let them go bankrupt. This is the only way to break the union stranglehold on the Big Three.
Funny, the Jap cars built in Ameica are not asking for a handout. They be sleeping well at night.
12-02-2008 @ 1:22AM
Dan said...
The Japanese automakers to not have to deal with paying the retirement benefits of the baby boom class that has earned them whole-heartedly.
12-02-2008 @ 1:52PM
Danny said...
It's amazing to me how the Republican mind works Durring the time that congress and everyone was ranting and raving about the Auto Industry CEO's using private jets to go to a public meeting to save thousands of jobs using taxpayers dollars as a loan base.. Dick Cheney was using Air Force Two , to attend a Private fund raiser for a fellow republican (John Flemming) In Shreveport Louisiana the next day to try to save one job..Flemmings... now isn't that irony..
12-02-2008 @ 7:43PM
Don't be hatin' said...
How much are American taxpayers paying our Congress Critters? Most of them are independently wealthy. You can check it out at www.opensecrets.org. Yet we pay for their outrageous salaries, their outrageous pensions, their outrageous health care benefits. At least auto workers actually MAKE something besides hot air.
12-03-2008 @ 4:42PM
Gary Mermelstein said...
United States Automobile Industry Solution
Viewing a Failing Industry as an Opportunity
By Gary Mermelstein
PROBLEM
U.S. car manufacturers have been operating at a loss for the past several quarters and are on the verge of bankruptcy. There is much debate surrounding the reasons we have arrived where we are, but virtually no dispute surrounding the reality that only forward thinking can solve the problem. A “government (tax payer) bale out or bridge loan” of $25 billion has been sought by the industry. As tax payers, we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t provide the funds.
DILEMA
The effects of auto industry failure are far reaching. It has been said that one out of ten jobs are somehow related to the industry. Up to 3 million jobs are at risk and the U.S. stake as a manufacturing power in the world is on the line.
Lending tax payer money to the big three without control over outcome is not wise. Merely loaning money will not increase demand for their products nor guarantee that the money will optimize the likelihood of a favorable result for the taxpayer lenders. Further, it is doubtful that $25 billion will get the industry to positive cash flow, especially given the current state of the economy.
SOLUTION
An ideal solution to the problem would not only optimize the chances of industry survival, but it would also work towards accomplishing many of our future U.S. goals:
1. Infuse necessary working capital to U.S. auto manufacturers
2. Ensure industry works towards fuel efficient/green autos
3. Create demand and sales for American autos in the near term
4. Protect and promote U.S. manufacturing sector
5. Immediate jobs/income, stimulate economy and help struggling consumers
6. Reduce carbon emissions
7. Promote energy independence
THE PLAN
Phase 1 – Bridge Loan
Immediately infuse $25 billion to U.S. auto industry as bridge loan. There is no doubt, the big 3 manufacturers will return to Congress with a “viable” plan on December 2nd, whether it actually is or isn’t. We must give them the money.
Phase 2 – Generate Sales/Demand for Green Cars, Stimulate Economy, Jobs
Issue $25 billion in vouchers redeemable from U.S. car manufacturers for energy efficient/green autos. The vouchers, x quantity, can be issued to taxpayers through a lottery type arrangement. Energy efficiency and green should be pre-defined but should not include, for example, Cadillac Escalade hybrids. Vouchers should only be redeemable for current efficient and innovative new green products.
So what if a voucher winner doesn’t need a new car? They can do whatever they want to with it:
1. Keep it and sell what they have to somebody else.
2. Give it away to someone more needy
3. Sell it at a discount. Selling it gets money moving.
Phase 2 spurs competition among the big 3 to race to market with products that meet our goals as stated above with real demand and sales, not just handing money over. If they don’t innovate, they won’t get their piece of the pie.
SUMMARY
This stimulus plan will protect 3 million auto industry jobs. The plan will actually increase employment as a result of a new industry for innovative green auto products. Phase 2 actually creates new demand/sales and stimulates our economy. The plan will create new green jobs; sell new insurance, new battery innovation and production, LNG autos, hydrogen autos, new registrations for autos, etc. etc. etc….
What might seem as the last straw in a failing U.S. economy could become a part of our solution to recovery. Let’s view the failing car industry as our biggest opportunity.
12-03-2008 @ 11:42PM
Neil said...
To: ALL AMERICAN'S
It is inportant for each of us to contact our Congressmen & women TODAY and tell them -
DO NOT US OUR TAX DOLLARS TO BAIL OUT AMERICAN CAR MAKERS!!
They need to go reorganize like any other busineses.
They MUST CUT THE OUTRAGIOUS WHITE COLLAR & UNION WAGES!!!
UNIONS ARE DESTROYING AMERICA" ability to compete in the golbal markets!!!
IT IS NOW OR NEVER - AMERICA