Interesting story from the AP
General Motors is taking a seemingly odd approach to falling sales of pickup trucks: It's raising prices. The company says the price of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado will go up almost $2,100. Full S...
Forum Discussion
Jeez Don... I really wonder if you even bother reading anymore before simply replying to me... I have no idea where you are coming up with these arguments AGAINST me. You seem to be thinking that I am making some argument that I am not making. Please review... maybe even READ it...
One: I never said I blame the workers for the contract. I have REPEATEDLY said congratulations to the union and the workers for getting such a generous contract. They are concerned with getting the best deal possible for themselves. I think this is a pretty generous contract. This entire thread was discussing why GM is RAISING prices. They are forced to raise prices because they have to compensate for higher legacy costs. That is a function of poor management. It is NOT the unions fault, it is NOT the line workers fault.
Two: It will be a LONG time before pensions are off the books for GM. The newer hires won't get a pension when they are eligible to retire, but EVERYONE else gets a pension. GM has to set aside money (that's another argument... is management funding these pension plans fully???) for all the current retirees and all the future retirees until they are off the books. For someone that started working at 18 years old at GM in 2008, that's a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time before that person is no longer collecting a pension or health insurance.
Three: I never once said, implied, suggested or intended to suggest that these workers SHOULDN'T get their pension. Where in the world do you get these ideas? I mean, seriously... did you even read a single word that I wrote??? These are contractually obligated costs, you are damn right I think the employees should receive them. If I worked at a job that promised me a defined compensation package at the conclusion of my work, I would expect it too and that would be part of my retirement plan. Again though, the whole point of this thread was why GM is raising costs. I am simply pointing out the fact that GM is saddled with higher legacy costs that Ford or Chrysler, and the only way to pay for those costs is to charge more for the vehicle. Shame on management for making such a generous package that they are struggling to fulfill, congratulations to the workers who are able to reap the rewards of their hard work.
One: I never said I blame the workers for the contract. I have REPEATEDLY said congratulations to the union and the workers for getting such a generous contract. They are concerned with getting the best deal possible for themselves. I think this is a pretty generous contract. This entire thread was discussing why GM is RAISING prices. They are forced to raise prices because they have to compensate for higher legacy costs. That is a function of poor management. It is NOT the unions fault, it is NOT the line workers fault.
Two: It will be a LONG time before pensions are off the books for GM. The newer hires won't get a pension when they are eligible to retire, but EVERYONE else gets a pension. GM has to set aside money (that's another argument... is management funding these pension plans fully???) for all the current retirees and all the future retirees until they are off the books. For someone that started working at 18 years old at GM in 2008, that's a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time before that person is no longer collecting a pension or health insurance.
Three: I never once said, implied, suggested or intended to suggest that these workers SHOULDN'T get their pension. Where in the world do you get these ideas? I mean, seriously... did you even read a single word that I wrote??? These are contractually obligated costs, you are damn right I think the employees should receive them. If I worked at a job that promised me a defined compensation package at the conclusion of my work, I would expect it too and that would be part of my retirement plan. Again though, the whole point of this thread was why GM is raising costs. I am simply pointing out the fact that GM is saddled with higher legacy costs that Ford or Chrysler, and the only way to pay for those costs is to charge more for the vehicle. Shame on management for making such a generous package that they are struggling to fulfill, congratulations to the workers who are able to reap the rewards of their hard work.
