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$45,000 is peanuts compared to the bonuses of the AIG execs!!!

Fuck You ZAC ,

You non-union rat fucker.

Sure, it's ok.

1. They are using a voucher to give away products, taking care of excess inventory that otherwise might not sell. Reducing inventory will allow them to align the business with the current market conditions. Shrinking GM might make them a viable company.

Now, like a gift card, many will overbuy the voucher (even at GM, $25k doesn't get you much) which will mean a few thousand bucks to GM, and a car to support at their dealerships for the next few years.

2. The scale matters. Like Sherry says, the average AIG bonus was close to 7 figures, these are mostly 5's.

3. Manufacturing has more long value to the economy (especially with the US debt load) than re-insurance. This is a very debatable point and only applicable in worst-case scenarios, but if China gets snippy, then the US better be able to manufacture something, otherwise, we will be in a world of hurt.

ZAC, The money is coming out of the hourly pension fund, NOT tax payer money. STUPID!!!

Zach,

I hope your professors are giving you a flunking grade as obviously you did ZERO research here. The $$ paid to the hourly workers came from the pension funds. There was not a dime from the monies received from the government.
Your bias is really showing through and are a sad excuse for a college student,

on the surface comparing GM and AIG is okay. however, if you look in any depth at all, you find that they have very little in common. at AIG: the bonuses paid are enormous; the executives still can fly in corporate jets; the salaries of those getting the bonuses are in the millions; the perpetrators of the economic collapse are the ones getting the bonuses; the dollars GIVEN to AIG dwarf the amount LOANED to GM. whereas, at GM: the bonuses are relatively small. the bonuses are partly in vouchers that help resolve the problem (low car sales); the recipients of the bonuses are the victims NOT the perps; GM is, at the very least, being asked to repay the money with interest.

Zac, I will trade you 20k cash for 10 million any day....There is a world of difference in the payout. UAW workers are getting severence packages, NOT bonuses. That is a major difference. And those workers are not decision-makers for the company. They can not control most of what goes on within the company and are not responsible for the company's bottom line. Yes, the UAW negotiated contracts, which by the way have been giving back a lot for the past three contracts. The starting wage of $14 and hour is competative, and the older workers base pay of 25-28 is compariable to Toyota's base too. So, find a different whipping post, workers are not the main problem.

The pension fund is partially funded by the bailout money. The pension fund is underfunded and money goes into it every month. However, since GM is broke except for a lifeline from the taxpayers, the bailout money keeps the pension fund funded. Therefore, the money for the buyouts did come from the taxpayers.

No, GM should not have used taxpayer money to buy out an employee. GM should just say like all other factories do. Hey, we are downsizing, here is your pink slip, and don't let the door hit you in the arse. GM and the UAW parasites have bled the consumer for to long. The high price of the car is part and parcel to pay for the high wages, benefits and pensions of UAW workers that can not get fired for being lazy. Those buyouts should be given back to the taxpayer. If they spent the money already, then take it out of their future taxes. The UAW has bled the consumer for too long. No sorrow or sympathy for the greedy parasitic UAW. The money for all those buyouts last year and this year should have gone to keep GM afloat. There will be protests at any place there is a UAW hall, and even UAW workers homes. Guns do not scare me. No more bailouts, and no more giving lazy workers money to quit.

IF YOU OWNED 100 SHARES OF GM AT $34.00 A YEAR AGO AND DIDN'T SELL. THAN BUY 100 SHARES AT $3.40 , YOU'VE PAIRED YOUR LOSES AND WILL RECOVER QUICKER.

IF YOU OWNED 100 SHARES OF GM AT $34.00 A YEAR AGO AND DIDN'T SELL. THAN BUY 100 SHARES AT $3.40 , YOU'VE PAIRED YOUR LOSES AND WILL RECOVER QUICKER.

Yeah and I guess the UAW are the ones responsible for the Credit Default Swaps. They also, after working 8 to 10 hours on the assembly line, were the ones writing the variable mortgage home loans to people who could not afford them. I supposed they are the ones responsible for the deregulation of greedy wall street bankers. LOL!! Eat the rich!!

You're right Zac, only a couple decimal places difference.

CEO's used to berate anyone who questioned their pay, and now it's the UAW. A valid comparison.

Companies that can't afford to stay afloat shouldn't be hemorrhaging cash, regardless of whether it's for a "bonus" or a "severance". Who cares which bank account they drew if from?

I'm a GM retiree and I took this buy out and the money you call a bonus, is payment for being forced out by the goverment,it is age discrimantion and loss of wages that we are being compensated for, Yes I can get another job, and I will. At less money I'm only 52 I have no buisness retiring at this young age you sound like we should be taken out to the back lot and shot like SLAVES

OMG Zac BissIknownothing has gone over the edge on this one. That is the only answer for people like this. Demonize the poor SOB that has to take a shower after work instead of before work. Hey clown I don't know how you got your job but as a writer of current events you couldn't carry Keith Olbermanns shoes.

Who ever employes this Zac needs to fire him on the spot. His material is not worthy of a out house wall. I have to feel sorry for the ignorance. This was almost as good as the republicans econ. plan today.LMAO

These people were eligible to retire anyway. This guy is an idiot. Pure and simple

First of all the 25,000. voucher is actually only worth 15,050. towards a vehicle. It is taxed as an earned income, Then we have to pay the sales tax so what we end up with is around 10 k. And as far as the 20,000. it also gets taxed 38 % which will leave about 11K so we are not getting a check for 45,000.
I am a GM worker and I have had to move to 5 plants in my GM lifetime, from one end of the state to the other, started at the bottom of each plant with senority, ( no you do not take it with you) All these moves have created stressed marrage relations and I ma not the only one ... Spouces and children do not usually want to go, it is not as easy for them to up and find a new job/ school. Oh yes and I worked at one location that closed, one that went bankrupt and I sure would like to have gone the last buy out but it has taken them 3 years to get my time right from all the plant jumping around! We do deserve something it is not at all what people who do not work for the auto company think!! Far from it.

Zac, you are truly educated beyond your intelligence. You're an idiot!!

ben says,...Its quite obvious that those who agree with that zach bissonette,or whatever that fools name is,do not understand the plight of us hardworking auto-workers.. I will retire in a few days (03/31/09),& after 36 1/2 years in three different auto plants ( 2 assembly for 28 years) & a warehouse for the last 8 years,the times have been difficult.Moving from So Cal to Md., & then to West Virginia has been a hassle.Were it not for the decent wages,& decent benefits,I would have preferred to find a different line of work.The UAW,or any union has its rightful place in society,& it improves the lives,& living standards that we as hardworking,relocated,taxpaying,family oriented,law obeying,"American Product" buying men & women have learned to cherish & enjoy.Those of you that feel otherwise should try to work in the auto industry for a few months,...then you wil think different...."guaranteed"!!