UAW demanding Ford restore pay/benefits like white-collar staff

[MichiganTruck_Mafia]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/BUSINESS0102/100122058/1319/UAW-to-demand-Ford-restore-pay-benefits-similar-to-white-collar-staff

 

What's good for the goose.....

[allin]

I shouldn't read the comments all the union hating know it all azzholes post...

Edited January 23, 2010 by allin

[uaw12]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/BUSINESS0102/100122058/1319/UAW-to-demand-Ford-restore-pay-benefits-similar-to-white-collar-staff

 

What's good for the goose.....

This is a response that will just further solidify in the minds of Rank and File how out of touch the International is toward the reality of the UAW members. In March during the discussion of the Modifications at LAP many members ask about equity of sacrifice and what if the company gave the white collar their money and benefits back. It was stated by the Rep that Ford was in such dire straits that it would not happen, well 9 months later not only did it happen but the Union ask the members for additional concessions. This is pure and simple International trying to give political cover to the local reps that will soon face the voters and fully supported more give backs only to look silly a month later. The rank and file fully understood the concessions in November and we will not forget who supported the concessions, and this ploy will only remind the rank and file who the partners in crime were.

[1993Stang]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/BUSINESS0102/100122058/1319/UAW-to-demand-Ford-restore-pay-benefits-similar-to-white-collar-staff

 

What's good for the goose.....

 

I am so happy that the networking we used (all of us) to show the IUAW that the re-opening of yet another modification to the current contract was not in the best interest of its members. Hats off to Gary W from local 600 for rallying people and sending out his usual flyers saying enough is enough!! All of you that said yes to more modification are just so uninformed about market share and how a company works its plain unbelievable. Now, the same IUAW wants the give backs back hmmmm. Those same sorry suckers wanted you to give up more of your rights while just days later the company was showing a big turn around. To spit in the face of those who work so hard on the line or face dangerous situations while doing their trade, both the company along with the IUAW (not all but most) wanted to kiss ass and throw the workers under the bus once again. You had to know that when profits were made the top was going to get theirs and now the IUAW wants to come in and act like they are going to come along on their white horse to save the day. PATHETIC!! When just months ago you were asking the workers, yet again, to accept concessions. I believe the workers and only the workers should receive their fair share back period!! They are the ones overwhelmingly that said NO! Everything should be restored and retro. Please elect the right people into the CON CON. Remember those who simply wanted to throw others under the bus to further their own agendas.

[Maislebandit]

http://www.freep.com/article/20100122/BUSINESS0102/100122058/1319/UAW-to-demand-Ford-restore-pay-benefits-similar-to-white-collar-staff

 

What's good for the goose.....

 

 

When I read this, the first thing I thought of was - The UAW finally shows up, it's about damn time.

 

The second thing I thought was - Hmmm, the UAW comes out with this statement just after close of business on the last day of the buyout offer.

 

Perhaps it is pure coincidence, but it sure seems suspicious to me.

[theoldwizard]

White collar does not get COLA.

 

White collar frequently does not get paid overtime.

 

White collar medical/dental insurance has much higher out of pocket costs.

[Pumpmaster]

Here's another take on what looks like an increasingly healthy company: http://www.freep.com/article/20100123/BUSINESS01/1230321/1331/BUSINESS01/From-Fords-record-losses-to-remarkable-profit

 

OK, Ron & Bob---time for ALL of us to step up and tell Al, Mark, Joe, etc. to give back what we gave up.

[Ford Worker 1994]

Just to give my opinion, if the u.a.w. membership would have passed that last concessions. Knowing what we know now, we would not be able ask for our wages back. Think about it for a second, the company probably would of said no, the I.U.W.A. would said fine we'll go on strike. Then the company would have said no , you can't go on strike per the contract because the no strike cause is about wage increase. Now think about that for a few minutes and listen to the company laugh their asses off at the union !!!!!!! The company would have the union by the balls, don't think for one minute that those sneaky bastards knew what they are doing. Just like they knew they were going to make a profit in the 3rd quarter and they delay telling everybody about it until after we were done voting !!!!

Edited January 23, 2010 by Ford Worker 1994

[1993Stang]

White collar does not get COLA.

 

White collar frequently does not get paid overtime.

 

White collar medical/dental insurance has much higher out of pocket costs.

 

Blue Collar does not get COLA

Blue Collar pays higher co pays on medical visits (did you know that) they pay $20, we pay $25 for office visits

No some white collar are exempt but some are not from overtime.

Salaries, merit raises, bonuses, car allowances, insurance reductions, STAP, and the way they earn vacation time off is better.

Salary has sick day pay, blue collar has none (blue collar people are not suppose to get sick I guess)

 

Should I go on, because this is one thing I know more about than you, I can assure you.

[Pumpmaster]

When I read this, the first thing I thought of was - The UAW finally shows up, it's about damn time.

 

The second thing I thought was - Hmmm, the UAW comes out with this statement just after close of business on the last day of the buyout offer.

 

Perhaps it is pure coincidence, but it sure seems suspicious to me.

 

I just noticed your location...lol!

[Marginal Economist]

Blue Collar does not get COLA

Blue Collar pays higher co pays on medical visits (did you know that) they pay $20, we pay $25 for office visits

No some white collar are exempt but some are not from overtime.

Salaries, merit raises, bonuses, car allowances, insurance reductions, STAP, and the way they earn vacation time off is better.

Salary has sick day pay, blue collar has none (blue collar people are not suppose to get sick I guess)

 

Should I go on, because this is one thing I know more about than you, I can assure you.

 

I pay the first $2300 out of pocket for office visits, prescriptions, and all other medical expenses. Where did you get the $20 from?

 

Why do you think salaries are better? Based on a 2000 hour work year, I don't make $27 hour. I can't earn overtime, I haven't had a bonus in at least 2 years and I'm not getting a bonues this year. If I get a merit raise, the 3% average would almost knock the hourly rate to $28. Please explain the insurance reductions as well, because mine did not reduce this year, or any year I've been with Ford.

 

I love my job, but I don't think you can straight compare jobs and compensation. Hourly, salaried, suppliers, and dealers are needed. It makes no sense to pay a line worker a salary if they are going to try and incorporate shift premiums and overtime. For my job, I am always on my laptop and blackberry away from home visiting dealerships. I could not possibly track the actual hours I work, especially with travel and hotel time. If we billed like lawyers, the company would be bankrupt.

 

I hope the company continues to improve and the UAW gets back some of their concessions and more.

[Dale143]

"White collar medical/dental insurance has much higher out of pocket costs."

 

 

 

Their pay is much higher to.

[David The Bruce]

"White collar medical/dental insurance has much higher out of pocket costs."

 

 

 

Their pay is much higher to.

 

 

so you're saying the cost of something should be based on how much you make?

If you make 30k a year a newspaper should cost you $1 but if you make 50k a year that same paper should cost you $2?

[Dale143]

so you're saying the cost of something should be based on how much you make?

If you make 30k a year a newspaper should cost you $1 but if you make 50k a year that same paper should cost you $2?

Hm. Idon't know .Ask robin hood.I mean Barack.

[stephenhawkings]

I pay the first $2300 out of pocket for office visits, prescriptions, and all other medical expenses. Where did you get the $20 from?

 

Why do you think salaries are better? Based on a 2000 hour work year, I don't make $27 hour. I can't earn overtime, I haven't had a bonus in at least 2 years and I'm not getting a bonues this year. If I get a merit raise, the 3% average would almost knock the hourly rate to $28. Please explain the insurance reductions as well, because mine did not reduce this year, or any year I've been with Ford.

 

I love my job, but I don't think you can straight compare jobs and compensation. Hourly, salaried, suppliers, and dealers are needed. It makes no sense to pay a line worker a salary if they are going to try and incorporate shift premiums and overtime. For my job, I am always on my laptop and blackberry away from home visiting dealerships. I could not possibly track the actual hours I work, especially with travel and hotel time. If we billed like lawyers, the company would be bankrupt.

 

I hope the company continues to improve and the UAW gets back some of their concessions and more.

maybe you should form a union ans strike!

or be grateful you didn't have to do remedial physical labor for ten hours today,

or be grateful that your not going to get any major wage 'improvements' next time your contract is up,

or switch your collar.

[Marginal Economist]

maybe you should form a union ans strike!

or be grateful you didn't have to do remedial physical labor for ten hours today,

or be grateful that your not going to get any major wage 'improvements' next time your contract is up,

or switch your collar.

I apolgize if my post came off if I was complaining. I love my job and if I did not I would leave. I was tying to correct previous posts that stated salaried was somehow better. They have different requirements and pay structures that I don't feel are compatible. I don't think unionization would be beneficial for my position. If I had a different job with different requirements, I think it would be.

[louie]

quote from article

"The official said the union plans to collect signatures on a plant-by-plant basis over the next several weeks and submit them to the company."

 

 

Go get'em Bob..........

 

I will be the first to sign from DTP.

 

Has anyone signed yet from other locations?

[Pumpmaster]

quote from article

"The official said the union plans to collect signatures on a plant-by-plant basis over the next several weeks and submit them to the company."

 

 

Go get'em Bob..........

 

I will be the first to sign from DTP.

 

Has anyone signed yet from other locations?

 

We were told at our regular union meeting that we'll be asked to sign the grievance this coming week.

[1993Stang]

I pay the first $2300 out of pocket for office visits, prescriptions, and all other medical expenses. Where did you get the $20 from?

 

Why do you think salaries are better? Based on a 2000 hour work year, I don't make $27 hour. I can't earn overtime, I haven't had a bonus in at least 2 years and I'm not getting a bonues this year. If I get a merit raise, the 3% average would almost knock the hourly rate to $28. Please explain the insurance reductions as well, because mine did not reduce this year, or any year I've been with Ford.

 

I love my job, but I don't think you can straight compare jobs and compensation. Hourly, salaried, suppliers, and dealers are needed. It makes no sense to pay a line worker a salary if they are going to try and incorporate shift premiums and overtime. For my job, I am always on my laptop and blackberry away from home visiting dealerships. I could not possibly track the actual hours I work, especially with travel and hotel time. If we billed like lawyers, the company would be bankrupt.

 

I hope the company continues to improve and the UAW gets back some of their concessions and more.

 

I am not sure what position you hold but to pay $2300 out of pocket for office visits, unless you are contract, is not happening. You are compensated even standing in an airport and all the time it takes to fly, I know that the cost to fly a spouse out of town used to be free but I'm sure it is not now. Certain salaried people get to drive the vehicles home that are built by the plant, included is insurance, gas allowance, and discounts for other drivers in the home. Some salaried employees are exempt and non exempt from overtime. Merit increases are not always just 3% they can be higher. I agree with you when you say you might be putting in a lot of hours but a lot of physical labor is done on a blue collar job so how do you justify paying them less and you more. Don't even say that because of an education. I had a Masters Degree and still showed up on the line. I think most people just have a perception of what the hourly do compared to the salary and think the grass is always greener on the other side. I have been on both sides and they are equally difficult. One was more kiss ass and mental, while the other was totally physical. I can tell you I would take mental and kiss ass anyday over physical and mentally drained. I would really like to know your co-pay because from what my neighbor said next door we hourly and salary were pretty close when it came to health care costs. Also, you pay union dues as a blue collar whether you receive good representation or not period. If you are talking about a flexible spending account when you talk about the $2300.00, I was unaware that this is going on. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way but bottom line is stop comparing when all the info you might have might not be right. If you receive your benefits back, all benefits should be restored to both parties (hourly as well), it is one company. You have a boss to ask for a raise, we pay a union to negotiate ours.

[woodhaven44]

quote from article

"The official said the union plans to collect signatures on a plant-by-plant basis over the next several weeks and submit them to the company."

 

 

Go get'em Bob..........

 

I will be the first to sign from DTP.

 

Has anyone signed yet from other locations?

 

Woodhaven stamping started collecting signatures yesterday.

[Marginal Economist]

I am not sure what position you hold but to pay $2300 out of pocket for office visits, unless you are contract, is not happening.

You are compensated even standing in an airport and all the time it takes to fly, I know that the cost to fly a spouse out of town used to be free but I'm sure it is not now. Certain salaried people get to drive the vehicles home that are built by the plant, included is insurance, gas allowance, and discounts for other drivers in the home. Some salaried employees are exempt and non exempt from overtime. Merit increases are not always just 3% they can be higher.

I agree with you when you say you might be putting in a lot of hours but a lot of physical labor is done on a blue collar job so how do you justify paying them less and you more. Don't even say that because of an education. I had a Masters Degree and still showed up on the line. I think most people just have a perception of what the hourly do compared to the salary and think the grass is always greener on the other side. I have been on both sides and they are equally difficult. One was more kiss ass and mental, while the other was totally physical. I can tell you I would take mental and kiss ass anyday over physical and mentally drained. I would really like to know your co-pay because from what my neighbor said next door we hourly and salary were pretty close when it came to health care costs. Also, you pay union dues as a blue collar whether you receive good representation or not period. If you are talking about a flexible spending account when you talk about the $2300.00, I was unaware that this is going on. I'm sorry if I offended you in any way but bottom line is stop comparing when all the info you might have might not be right. If you receive your benefits back, all benefits should be restored to both parties (hourly as well), it is one company. You have a boss to ask for a raise, we pay a union to negotiate ours.

 

I did not try and compare - I was trying to put out additional information. You stated:

"No some white collar are exempt but some are not from overtime.

Salaries, merit raises, bonuses, car allowances, insurance reductions, STAP, and the way they earn vacation time off is better

.

 

I don't know how your insurance works, but I do know how mine works. There are currently 3 plans offered that have various employee premiums and deductible. I have the middle plan where I pay $70/check and I'm responsible for the 1st $2300 out of pocket. After that it is co-insurance 80/20 up to an out of pocket max. I do have an additional $100/check put into an HSA account to hopefully cover the costs. I'm not a contract employee. I can try an download a pdf of our options later if you'd really like to see it.

 

I'm not offended, and I really hope I haven't offended anyone here. I I think the UAW is a benefit to Ford. I like to share my perspective from a salaried side, but with out trying to say one is better than the other. I truly feel both are necessary. There are many things I don't agree with that the UAW tries to push, that Ford corporate tries to push, and things between Ford and our dealers.

 

Your post is pretty long and hits more points than I can answer in one post. If you have a specific question about a program, I'll share to the best of my ability. A key point to remember is that there are over 22K salaried employees. Most of them are not LL6+ employees and most don't work at a plant. You may have a better feel for how these employees are rewarded, but they are a small portion of the salaried workforce. Once again, I believe that the salaried, hourly, suppliers and dealers play a crucial role in Ford's success. Thanks.

[rn4]

Certain salaried people get to drive the vehicles home that are built by the plant, included is insurance, gas allowance, and discounts for other drivers in the home.

 

 

The program you are talking about is the M-10 program. Some plants, even certain hourly get to drive the units home for evaluation. The units are to be driven straight home and back to the plant, no extra driving. Family members are not allowed to drive an M-10 unit, also no passegers are allowed. These are the only units driven home on a daily basis. The driver has a certain set of items that they are suppose to check.

[1993Stang]

The program you are talking about is the M-10 program. Some plants, even certain hourly get to drive the units home for evaluation. The units are to be driven straight home and back to the plant, no extra driving. Family members are not allowed to drive an M-10 unit, also no passegers are allowed. These are the only units driven home on a daily basis. The driver has a certain set of items that they are suppose to check.

 

You are correct, this is for the M-10 program and I know the units are driven home for evaluation. Please don't tell me that they are driven straight home. Seriously? Come on, really? No golf games after work, no meet and greets at the bar, no passengers...hmmm Sorry but you are absolutely 100% wrong. Oh, I forgot to mention nearby casinos also. M-10 program has limited the miles a car can be driven but if an employee still drives it back and forth within the 50 miles or plus, this is all covered. No passengers LOL LOL LOL. I'm sure that hourly do get these cars once in a while but clearly not 5 days a week. Yes, I know they are not driven home on the weekend ; )

[rn4]

You are correct, this is for the M-10 program and I know the units are driven home for evaluation. Please don't tell me that they are driven straight home. Seriously? Come on, really? No golf games after work, no meet and greets at the bar, no passengers...hmmm Sorry but you are absolutely 100% wrong. Oh, I forgot to mention nearby casinos also. M-10 program has limited the miles a car can be driven but if an employee still drives it back and forth within the 50 miles or plus, this is all covered. No passengers LOL LOL LOL. I'm sure that hourly do get these cars once in a while but clearly not 5 days a week. Yes, I know they are not driven home on the weekend ; )

 

Wrong I drove one 5 days a week.

[1993Stang]

I did not try and compare - I was trying to put out additional information. You stated:

.

 

I don't know how your insurance works, but I do know how mine works. There are currently 3 plans offered that have various employee premiums and deductible. I have the middle plan where I pay $70/check and I'm responsible for the 1st $2300 out of pocket. After that it is co-insurance 80/20 up to an out of pocket max. I do have an additional $100/check put into an HSA account to hopefully cover the costs. I'm not a contract employee. I can try an download a pdf of our options later if you'd really like to see it.

 

I'm not offended, and I really hope I haven't offended anyone here. I I think the UAW is a benefit to Ford. I like to share my perspective from a salaried side, but with out trying to say one is better than the other. I truly feel both are necessary. There are many things I don't agree with that the UAW tries to push, that Ford corporate tries to push, and things between Ford and our dealers.

 

Your post is pretty long and hits more points than I can answer in one post. If you have a specific question about a program, I'll share to the best of my ability. A key point to remember is that there are over 22K salaried employees. Most of them are not LL6+ employees and most don't work at a plant. You may have a better feel for how these employees are rewarded, but they are a small portion of the salaried workforce. Once again, I believe that the salaried, hourly, suppliers and dealers play a crucial role in Ford's success. Thanks.

Things could of changed for those lower than LL5, I was not aware of that and Thank You for pointing that out. I agree with you that things are not always what they seem to U.A.W. and not always what they are for salaried as well. I think it isn't right for you to have to pay those crazy ass fees for what seems to resemble a flexible spending account but I think when we started this conversation it was over the link of returning what the U.A.W. gave up to help the company. Overtime has all but evaporated in most buildings, COLA is no longer (the U.A.W wages have been frozen for years), COLA seemed to be the only type of raise possible, four 10 hour days is 40 hours period, less trades could prove dangerous, and insurance in my honest opinion is covered more for the hourly because of injuries (self explanatory when working in an environment as a plant). That is not to say that you can not get as sick as anybody else. But why would anyone complain about wanting their stuff restored when some things restored might in fact benefit the salaried side. Maybe that Monday after Easter? Do you really think if they give that back to the hourly, you will still need to report to work. An educated workforce is always a better workforce wouldn't you agree? So restoring ETAP should not even be a negative to salary. We do not get the opportunity to make our money work for us by having it matched by the company. There is a trade off for everything, your body for the money, your money for the time, your economic situation instead of finding a job you absolutely love, and so on. Like I said before, we should be treated absolutely equal because we are working for the same company. I would not disagree with the company if they wanted to start paying you overtime for the endless hours that you put in and neither would the hourly U.A.W. if they would restore theirs. Both sides work hard. Both sides have workers that don't. I appreciate your candor and pointing things out that have clearly changed from just a short 5 years ago. I absolutely believe that salaried should be represented also. Some U.A.W. members might bash me for this but I believe we all work under one roof, things should not be so divided. Who we are represented by is the question??