Baseball arbitration? And how it screws you.

[walktall]

There is something that was brought up in the National Ford meetings that no one has posted on. Gary W. told us that the arbitration on wages would not be normal arbitration. It would be what is called baseball arbitration. And this is very important. And i will try to explain it.

 

In normal arbitration if the UAW says we want a 5% raise and Ford says we want to cut you 50% the arbitatrator can decide to give you 2% or cut you 10 percent or anywhere he sees fit. But in baseball arbitration it is either/or if it makes it to arbitration you either get the 5% or the 50%loss. But, there is more to this. According to a co-worker who also has a law degree. If UAW askes for a raise at all Ford can force that into arbitration and also include their counter offer of a reduction. We all know the arbitrator isn't going to give us a raise, so we end up losing pay.

 

All of us have wondered why this arbitration letter feels wrong. And that is why. The UAW can in the next negotiations ask for a small raise and in doing so cause us to lose wages. But, this gives them an out, they can claim it wasn't their fault the arbitraitor did it. Ford gets what they want the UAW gets out of the hot seat.

 

SO ASK THIS QUESTION OF THOSE THAT WANT TO SELL YOU THIS CONTRACT. If they know we see what they are doing it makes it harder for them to do. Ask WHY DID WE AGREE TO BASEBALL ARBITRATION? We all felt a stink about that letter, cause none of us thought we would get a raise anyway. This is a trigger that will put us at the same wage rates as GM Chrysler without us seeing it coming. For everyone that thought they smelled a RAT, your RAT has been found.

 

p.s. dont try to google baseball arbitration, you get everything in the world but an explanation.

[walktall]

I found a place that explains it............why would they do this? Read down to the part thta says The arbitration is a "high-low"........

 

the page is http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/h...bitration_works

 

This if, what I am told is true, is the key to ending the middle class. That will be Ron Gettelfingers legacy. The union leader that killed the middle class. Gee thanks Ron.

[lquidspine]

I hate this arbitration thing as much as anyone... my only question would be why would the negotiators in 2011 ask for any increases knowing what the outcome would be if this actually passes ?

[uawwidow]

Everyone on here can argue til the cows come home on what this language means or what it doesn't.

 

Bottom line is only 1 opinion counts. That of the ARBITRATOR. Since I have no way of knowing for sure what that opinion may be. I will choose to protect myself and retain my right to strike. AND VOTE NO.

[AnotherAutoWorker]

Everyone on here can argue til the cows come home on what this language means or what it doesn't.

 

Bottom line is only 1 opinion counts. That of the ARBITRATOR. Since I have no way of knowing for sure what that opinion may be. I will choose to protect myself and retain my right to strike. AND VOTE NO.

 

 

Yes, you are absoultely correct. Every word you typed is correct and I agree with you 100%....

 

... but I would like to know how we got to this bottom line that allows the opinion of one arbitrator with a single decision to have control of the rest of our lives. Its when (not if) the day arrives. This all reeks of busting this union once and for all ~ Master Mulally Style!

 

How many of us feel like this vote has a predetermined and convenient 49/51% outcome? Nevertheless VOTE NO! Protect yourself! Protect your right to protect yourself with the choice to strike IF needecd! Tell everyone you know about this "baseball" arbitration practice and ask them to vote no also.

 

This is some ugly underhanded union busting shit that will be proudly placed on Mulally resume as a job well done ~ another union busted. Gettlefinger should be ashamed of himself. How many of us can remember learning when Mulally got onboard that he was considered the "Master Union Buster" brought in to do what Bill Ford couldnt do? Just ask the membership of Boeing. Well, here it is, kids... right up side our heads with a vengence. We have no choice but to PROTECT ourselves and not fall for the bullshit some people are posting on here that clearly backs the company and company's propaganda and scare tactics. Even if it means we must protect ourself from the iUAW. (Ugh, what a sad sad day to have to say that...)

 

Gettlefinger should be impeached for this!

 

 

 

CAP Joke ~ Did Ford give you the cue cards to spin this information as well??? Cut and paste. Cut and Paste! Easy peasey.

Edited October 15, 2009 by AnotherAutoWorker

[AnotherAutoWorker]

I hate this arbitration thing as much as anyone... my only question would be why would the negotiators in 2011 ask for any increases knowing what the outcome would be if this actually passes ?

 

EXACTLY!!! Now remove the right to strike and what does Ford have? Whatever they want.

Edited October 15, 2009 by AnotherAutoWorker

[AnotherAutoWorker]

There is something that was brought up in the National Ford meetings that no one has posted on. Gary W. told us that the arbitration on wages would not be normal arbitration. It would be what is called baseball arbitration. And this is very important. And i will try to explain it.

 

In normal arbitration if the UAW says we want a 5% raise and Ford says we want to cut you 50% the arbitatrator can decide to give you 2% or cut you 10 percent or anywhere he sees fit. But in baseball arbitration it is either/or if it makes it to arbitration you either get the 5% or the 50%loss. But, there is more to this. According to a co-worker who also has a law degree. If UAW askes for a raise at all Ford can force that into arbitration and also include their counter offer of a reduction. We all know the arbitrator isn't going to give us a raise, so we end up losing pay.

 

All of us have wondered why this arbitration letter feels wrong. And that is why. The UAW can in the next negotiations ask for a small raise and in doing so cause us to lose wages. But, this gives them an out, they can claim it wasn't their fault the arbitraitor did it. Ford gets what they want the UAW gets out of the hot seat.

 

SO ASK THIS QUESTION OF THOSE THAT WANT TO SELL YOU THIS CONTRACT. If they know we see what they are doing it makes it harder for them to do. Ask WHY DID WE AGREE TO BASEBALL ARBITRATION? We all felt a stink about that letter, cause none of us thought we would get a raise anyway. This is a trigger that will put us at the same wage rates as GM Chrysler without us seeing it coming. For everyone that thought they smelled a RAT, your RAT has been found.

 

p.s. dont try to google baseball arbitration, you get everything in the world but an explanation.

 

 

THANK YOU for bringing this to our attenttion!

 

I was going to vote NO before knowing this but I just cannot understand how or WHY anyone in this membership would vote yes after learning this...

 

Not all the membership reads this forum so please take a moment to tell your friends and co workers what you have learned about this baseball arbitration clause. JUST the possibility that this is true is enough to make me question the idiots pushing to pass this thing.

 

REMEMBER WHY MULLALY WAS HIRED IN THE FIRST PLACE! To bust this union. He was sucessful before, he's smartr enough to do it again. DO NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN! VOTE NO!

[chriper]

I found a place that explains it............why would they do this? Read down to the part thta says The arbitration is a "high-low"........

 

the page is http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/h...bitration_works

 

This if, what I am told is true, is the key to ending the middle class. That will be Ron Gettelfingers legacy. The union leader that killed the middle class. Gee thanks Ron.

 

 

good reading ,{unfortunately} ,i think we all need to ask our plant chairs{since some of them are on nat neg team,,,,,joelly} to explain this to us.IN DETAIL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FiredMotorCompany]

I found a place that explains it............why would they do this? Read down to the part thta says The arbitration is a "high-low"........

 

the page is http://baseball.suite101.com/article.cfm/h...bitration_works

 

This if, what I am told is true, is the key to ending the middle class. That will be Ron Gettelfingers legacy. The union leader that killed the middle class. Gee thanks Ron.

 

 

FWIW, Final Offer Arbitration (FOA) aka, Baseball Arbitration

Wikipedia-Final Offer Arbitration

[chriper]

FWIW, Final Offer Arbitration (FOA) aka, Baseball Arbitration

Wikipedia-Final Offer Arbitration

im reading this ,and it says that this form of arbitration is meant as a form of discouragement to arbitration,instead to have both sides meet in contract negotations,SO WHY IN THE HELL WOULD WE GIVE UP CONTRACT NEGS. AND SAY PLEASE SEND US INTO THE WORST FORM OF ARBITRATION THERE IS?????