Local 245 Buyout Issue - The Truth Revealed

[uawworker]

The August 23rd Detroit Free Press Articled, regarding statements made by Mario Guerreso regarding buyouts, took statements out of context from the following Local 245 Beacon article printed May 2006. Put this article next to the Free Press article and judge for yourself the misrepresentations portrayed by the Free Press. The local Detroit papers have not been in the corner of the UAW, and here is a shining example. Enjoy, and use this as a lesson "DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ IN THE NEWS PAPERS, GO TO THE SOURCE. HERE IS THE SOURCE."

 

May 2006, Local 245 Beacon Article

 

BUYOUTS: THE RESULT OF U.S. BEING SOLD OUT

 

The Fallout From the Buyout’s:

 

Offering sums of money to get UAW members to surrender their jobs will accelerate the dismantling of the Union. These buyouts will result in a rapid reduction of UAW ranks and therefore decreased organizational bargaining power. Each buyout will represent the loss of a good paying American job that supports American ideals and American communities.

For decades, the UAW has been a bridge limiting the divide between the rich and the working class. With the UAW weakened and targeted for removal, the gap will widen overwhelmingly, leaving only the ultra-rich and the working poor. This growing divide between the classes is all according to the plan of the corporate elite and their CEO President George Bush. The American people are merely pawns of the corporations and Bush to achieve their ultimate goal.

What is good for the UAW, is good for all middle class Americans. If the UAW goes, so too does the middle class of America.

 

 

The Sell Outs:

 

The government in Washington D.C. has invited foreign corporations to set up operations in the United States. However, the standards of the U.S.A. are being sacrificed as a result. As highlighted in the January 2006 issue of the Beacon, the foreign transplant auto manufacturers, such as Toyota, hire mainly young males to work on their assembly lines. Minorities, older workers, women, and those needing unique accommodations are not included to work on Toyota’s plant floors. Diversity in the hourly workforce is not a priority at Toyota in the U.S. The true face of United States is not represented at these transplant facilities. Why would the United States government encourage foreign corporations employing a diverse-less workforce, to replace our long-standing workforce that truly represents ALL Americans? The American automobile purchasing public must be made aware of the employment practices of the foreign transplant corporations and realize that they are a negative for the people of America. Let the truth be known.

In reality, the foreign transplant corporations are draining the United States of our values, our diversity and our communities. Meanwhile, the corporate backed government and media encourage it to happen. A “new” America resulting from this destructive invasion will NOT benefit 99% of Americans in the long run. The 1% of Americans that do benefit are the ones currently profiting from the sell out. The betrayal of the American People is underway, and it has been for quite some time. However, at some point, the effects will be irreversible.

It is ironic that the profits and resources drained out of the U.S. are creating booming economic growth in these foreign countries. Historically high growth in Japan and China is leading to a tremendous increase in the amount of oil they consume. This huge increase in consumption is the driving force behind the increase in the price of oil. It is supply and demand, plain and simple. These countries are demanding much more oil as their economies grow while the supply of oil is limited. It is a fact, that purchasing foreign made products, including foreign automobiles assembled in America, and sending U.S. dollars overseas growing the Asian economies, is actually driving the price of oil higher. This is a critical piece of information that American consumers are prevented from knowing. The corporate and foreign lobby pays good money to ensure that the medias and our elected representatives prevent this simple concept from becoming widely known. Let the truth be known. Buy cheap foreign made goods, and the price of oil goes up.

 

Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain:

 

American consumers have been conditioned to take the bait of purchasing cheaply made goods from overseas. The corporate sponsored medias have convinced the American consumer that this sell out is good because it makes the price of products cheaper, saving consumers money. The government and media outlets have failed to educate Americans about the true long-term costs of trading their future for a short-term price break. Stagflation is possible, as Asia becomes an enormous consumer market, sucking in the world’s resources and driving prices higher. The hollowed out shell of American Industrialization will be vulnerable when the cheap prices go away while our real jobs and industries have been sent overseas. Short term gain = Long term pain.

This is not just recycled gloom and doom people. Believe me, I would much rather be reporting to you the successes of our government and industries. However, I refuse to let the working people bear the blame for the present situation, while the culprits creating the dismay profit from our demise.

 

Coming in the June edition of the Beacon:

 

The UAW has become a popular target as of late. Our wages and benefits have been falsely pointed out as causing financial difficulty at the Big Three. In fact, the cost of labor is less than 7% of the cost of a new vehicle. In the next edition of the Beacon, it will be clearly demonstrated that we, the Union, are among the cheapest costs in the production of a new vehicle. I have said it before, and I will say it again, “You, the Union, are not the problem.” We are less than 7% of the cost of vehicle, but we are made to feel as if we are the primary contributors to cost of a new automobile. We will let these truths be known!

 

In Solidarity,

 

Mario Guerreso

President

UAW Local 245

 

This and all other Beacon Articles are archived and can be viewed at www.uawlocal245.org website.

[rayotte]

The August 23rd Detroit Free Press Articled, regarding statements made by Mario Guerreso regarding buyouts, took statements out of context from the following Local 245 Beacon article printed May 2006. Put this article next to the Free Press article and judge for yourself the misrepresentations portrayed by the Free Press. The local Detroit papers have not been in the corner of the UAW, and here is a shining example. Enjoy, and use this as a lesson "DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ IN THE NEWS PAPERS, GO TO THE SOURCE. HERE IS THE SOURCE."

 

May 2006, Local 245 Beacon Article

 

BUYOUTS: THE RESULT OF U.S. BEING SOLD OUT

 

The Fallout From the Buyout’s:

 

Offering sums of money to get UAW members to surrender their jobs will accelerate the dismantling of the Union. These buyouts will result in a rapid reduction of UAW ranks and therefore decreased organizational bargaining power. Each buyout will represent the loss of a good paying American job that supports American ideals and American communities.

For decades, the UAW has been a bridge limiting the divide between the rich and the working class. With the UAW weakened and targeted for removal, the gap will widen overwhelmingly, leaving only the ultra-rich and the working poor. This growing divide between the classes is all according to the plan of the corporate elite and their CEO President George Bush. The American people are merely pawns of the corporations and Bush to achieve their ultimate goal.

What is good for the UAW, is good for all middle class Americans. If the UAW goes, so too does the middle class of America.

The Sell Outs:

 

The government in Washington D.C. has invited foreign corporations to set up operations in the United States. However, the standards of the U.S.A. are being sacrificed as a result. As highlighted in the January 2006 issue of the Beacon, the foreign transplant auto manufacturers, such as Toyota, hire mainly young males to work on their assembly lines. Minorities, older workers, women, and those needing unique accommodations are not included to work on Toyota’s plant floors. Diversity in the hourly workforce is not a priority at Toyota in the U.S. The true face of United States is not represented at these transplant facilities. Why would the United States government encourage foreign corporations employing a diverse-less workforce, to replace our long-standing workforce that truly represents ALL Americans? The American automobile purchasing public must be made aware of the employment practices of the foreign transplant corporations and realize that they are a negative for the people of America. Let the truth be known.

In reality, the foreign transplant corporations are draining the United States of our values, our diversity and our communities. Meanwhile, the corporate backed government and media encourage it to happen. A “new†America resulting from this destructive invasion will NOT benefit 99% of Americans in the long run. The 1% of Americans that do benefit are the ones currently profiting from the sell out. The betrayal of the American People is underway, and it has been for quite some time. However, at some point, the effects will be irreversible.

It is ironic that the profits and resources drained out of the U.S. are creating booming economic growth in these foreign countries. Historically high growth in Japan and China is leading to a tremendous increase in the amount of oil they consume. This huge increase in consumption is the driving force behind the increase in the price of oil. It is supply and demand, plain and simple. These countries are demanding much more oil as their economies grow while the supply of oil is limited. It is a fact, that purchasing foreign made products, including foreign automobiles assembled in America, and sending U.S. dollars overseas growing the Asian economies, is actually driving the price of oil higher. This is a critical piece of information that American consumers are prevented from knowing. The corporate and foreign lobby pays good money to ensure that the medias and our elected representatives prevent this simple concept from becoming widely known. Let the truth be known. Buy cheap foreign made goods, and the price of oil goes up.

 

Short Term Gain, Long Term Pain:

 

American consumers have been conditioned to take the bait of purchasing cheaply made goods from overseas. The corporate sponsored medias have convinced the American consumer that this sell out is good because it makes the price of products cheaper, saving consumers money. The government and media outlets have failed to educate Americans about the true long-term costs of trading their future for a short-term price break. Stagflation is possible, as Asia becomes an enormous consumer market, sucking in the world’s resources and driving prices higher. The hollowed out shell of American Industrialization will be vulnerable when the cheap prices go away while our real jobs and industries have been sent overseas. Short term gain = Long term pain.

This is not just recycled gloom and doom people. Believe me, I would much rather be reporting to you the successes of our government and industries. However, I refuse to let the working people bear the blame for the present situation, while the culprits creating the dismay profit from our demise.

 

Coming in the June edition of the Beacon:

 

The UAW has become a popular target as of late. Our wages and benefits have been falsely pointed out as causing financial difficulty at the Big Three. In fact, the cost of labor is less than 7% of the cost of a new vehicle. In the next edition of the Beacon, it will be clearly demonstrated that we, the Union, are among the cheapest costs in the production of a new vehicle. I have said it before, and I will say it again, “You, the Union, are not the problem.†We are less than 7% of the cost of vehicle, but we are made to feel as if we are the primary contributors to cost of a new automobile. We will let these truths be known!

 

In Solidarity,

 

Mario Guerreso

President

UAW Local 245

 

This and all other Beacon Articles are archived and can be viewed at www.uawlocal245.org website.

 

I would say that the Freep took this a little out of context. He makes some good points, but I get the impression that the majority of the American people could care less. It's an uphill battle to say the least...

[dukka]

Your right the average American person does not give a rat's ass about our situation. As for the letter Mr. "Where's Mario" penned....he didn't write that. Hell he can't even nail two boards together let alone write. I'm not certain he can read either. He must have one hell of a game set up...having someone pen his letters.

[uawworker]

I can positively assure you that Mr. Guerreso writes his own articles. Like many other leaders of today, he may have assistance with formatting and typing. You can be assured that Mr. Ford and Mr. Gettlefinger have a team of researchers and word processing specialists. If Mario has a team of specialists to assist in the preparation of his articles, more power to him! Do not let some disgruntled individuals with their own political agenga distract from the truth of Mr. Guerreso's message. Mario is for the betterment of the UAW and the people. We need this message to be more widely promoted. Here is more of Mr. Guerreso's orginal work, from his own words.

 

UNITED BY TRUTH, WE SHALL STAND

 

Now, more than any other time in recent history, we must remain united. A target has been placed on organized labor, and the front lines are right before our eyes, just look at Delphi. However today, rather than hiring corporate thugs and Pinkerton goons to do their dirty work, their weapons of choice are legal loopholes and the bankruptcy courts. In these modern times, they have cleverly adapted to hiring high paid lawyers and accountants to strip us of our hard-earned retiree benefits and job security.

In addition to this, an anti-union publicity campaign has been launched to spread false and negative messages about labor unions. The goal of these anti-union groups is to persuade public opinion against labor unions by using deception and misinformation. Normally, deception and mistruths do not even deserve a response. However, the constant mis-statement of the truth, may actually be influencing the thoughts of the American public. This article is intended to provide you with the truth. In this era where deception is a way of life in business and government, the truth must be able to re-surface and shine like a beacon in the dark. After all, the truth will set us free.

 

Mistruth #1: The American Public and even many union members themselves, have been convinced to believe that the cost of unionized labor is the reason for the high price of new vehicles. Ask just about any vehicle purchasing American what the main contributing cost to the sticker price of a new car is, and most of them will site high wages as the cause. In reality, nothing could be further from the truth. Consider the following data from a report sponsored by the United States Government, which sums up the costs of the Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of a new vehicle:

 

Cost Contributor Share of MSRP (%)

Material Costs 43.5

Labor and other Manufacturing Costs 6.5

Transportation, Warranty 5.0

Engineering 6.5

Depreciation and Amortization 5.5

Corporate Overhead 7.0

Marketing, Dealer Support, Dealer Markup 23.5

Dividend 2.5

 

Total Contribution to Sticker Price (MSRP) 100.0

 

The truly surprising part of this data, is that it reveals facts so contrary to public belief. The public believes that labor is the primary cost of vehicle production. However, labor is among the most inexpensive costs of producing a new car or truck. This contrast between the truth and public perception is so strikingly opposite, that the truth must be known.

 

Mistruth #2: The absolute gross over calculation of union wages. And the longer this mistruth goes unchecked, the larger it seems to grow. For example, it has been stated repeatedly, to the point where it is engrained in the mind of the public, that union workers make $75 or $100 per hour in wages and benefits. These false figures seem to grow larger on a daily basis to suit the needs of the anti-union messengers. They have bent the public perception of unions to the point where some people actually choose to buy foreign made vehicles to avoid supporting these miscalculated wages.

These miscalculated figures include the salaries of those involved in the function of our employment and the financing of the nations health care system. For example, they feel it is acceptable to put the salaries of those administering our health benefits, because if we weren’t employed, they wouldn’t have to pay people to process our health benefits. It’s all put on our tab. I know stuff tends to run down hill, but please don’t put everyone else’s income on the workers tab. If we performed one of these wage calculation schemes for every occupation, we would quickly find out that union wages are about average when compared to other American occupations.

Additionally, it is unjust and unfair to include the financing of the nation’s health care system on the wages of working people. We must let these truths be known. Ask the brother working on the assembly line, decking 600 engines per day, if his wage calculation should include the cost of financing un-insured Americans. Ask the sister working in the spray paint booth for eight to ten hours per day if she really makes $75 per hour. It is adding insult to injury to allow this to happen to the backbone of the United States. Let the truth be known.

 

Some Truths and Realities about Unions:

Of the reasonable wage we do earn, 30% or more goes to the federal government, social security and Medicare in taxes.

When an un-insured American goes to the emergency room for service, the cost for that service is passed on to those who pay premiums to the health insurance companies. These inflated premiums are used to calculate our wage.

Union workers earn just about enough to live in a home, drive a car and raise a family with some sort of dignity. This is the standard of America. Anything less would be third world.

Union labor is one of the most inexpensive components of a new vehicle.

The Union protects wages and jobs for all middle class Americans. Without unions protecting the standard, the wages of all other Americans would deflate.

Union labor works hard, in conditions that many Americans would not work in. Millions of vehicles each year are produced by Union labor.

The Union will stand strong and united. We will carry the truth like a torch and illuminate deception and mistruths. We know we work hard. We know we represent American values. We must let these truths be known.

 

In Solidarity,

 

Mario Guerreso

President - UAW Local 245

[BenFranklin]

Do not let some disgruntled individuals with their own political agenga distract from the truth of Mr. Guerreso's message.

 

Mario Guerreso

President - UAW Local 245

 

Whenever anyone exposes the UAW "secret deals" then the UAW thugs come out from there dark corners and throw false accusations around.

[uawworker]

These and all of Mario Guerreso's orginally written material can be viewed at the uawlocal245.org website. Don't listen to the Detroit Free Press. GO TO THE SOURCE!

[uawworker]

Level field institute

[ted labor]

Hell of a Article . I've been saying some of that myself ever since they closed the last U.S. steel mill. However Bush has been telling me since he got into office to start a small business, so cut the check and let me get some before its all gone.

[DSenstad]

I can't really see how his rants are related to the buy outs.

[BlueMagic_1]

He was interviewed by the Free Press. They quoted him.

 

The best answer is "no comment". That way you can't get in trouble.

[uawworker]

He was interviewed by the Free Press. They quoted him.

 

The best answer is "no comment". That way you can't get in trouble.

 

 

Most truthfully, the reporter from the Detroit Free Press, Sarah Webster used the May issue of the Local 245 Beacon as the basis for her article. She had previously read the May issue of the Beacon and that is why she contacted Mario, to disucuss that article. She arranged her piece specifically to make the UAW look bad, as the Free Press always does. When is the last time you have read anything postive regarding the UAW in the Detoit News papers?

[dukka]

Most truthfully, the reporter from the Detroit Free Press, Sarah Webster used the May issue of the Local 245 Beacon as the basis for her article. She had previously read the May issue of the Beacon and that is why she contacted Mario, to disucuss that article. She arranged her piece specifically to make the UAW look bad, as the Free Press always does. When is the last time you have read anything postive regarding the UAW in the Detoit News papers?

 

You need to stop while your ahead.....your typical UAW that needs to go. Stop sticking up for usless ignorant rambling outdated croonie. He's no good for us and we need talent in times like this. Mario is 10 life times away from talent.

[uawworker]

You need to stop while your ahead.....your typical UAW that needs to go. Stop sticking up for usless ignorant rambling outdated croonie. He's no good for us and we need talent in times like this. Mario is 10 life times away from talent.

 

So, you are obviously a Local 245 chump. Why don't you be a man and go to his office to discuss this matter in person? By the way, what are you doing posting so repeatedly here on company time on a Ford Motor Company Computer? Perhaps you, and many others like you with WAY too much time on your hands are the problem at Ford. You are being paid right now by Ford Motor to do a job, and instead you launch attacks against your co-workers while you are on company time and on a company computer. How many other people like you are on the clock launching negative defamation of character campaigns? Get back to work, oh, you don't really have any value to add to Ford Motor Company. So, get back to wasting company dollars using company computers.

[BlueMagic_1]

So, you are obviously a Local 245 chump. Why don't you be a man and go to his office to discuss this matter in person? By the way, what are you doing posting so repeatedly here on company time on a Ford Motor Company Computer? Perhaps you, and many others like you with WAY too much time on your hands are the problem at Ford. You are being paid right now by Ford Motor to do a job, and instead you launch attacks against your co-workers while you are on company time and on a company computer. How many other people like you are on the clock launching negative defamation of character campaigns? Get back to work, oh, you don't really have any value to add to Ford Motor Company. So, get back to wasting company dollars using company computers.

 

Maybe he works afternoons or he is sitting in the GEN pool.

 

Attacks go both ways......those in glass houses and all that......

 

Besides, this is NOT the best place to air your local union's dirty laundry. The company is always watching this forum.

Edited August 29, 2006 by BlueMagic_1

[uawworker]

Maybe he works afternoons or he is sitting in the GEN pool.

 

Attacks go both ways......those in glass houses and all that......

 

Besides, this is NOT the best place to air your local union's dirty laundry. The company is always watching this forum.

 

So you are telling me if he is using an afternoon shift computer or a GEN pool computer, it is within company policy to defame the character of another Ford employee? This is not about glass houses, it is about the absolute abuse of a company resource on company time. I do not work at the same local as this person, and I do not post on company time. Ever.

 

The company should be monitoring this forum, and investigate all suspected abuses. It is not about "glass houses", it is about zero tolerance and respect for fellow employees, and the misuse of company resources.

[BlueMagic_1]

So you are telling me if he is using an afternoon shift computer or a GEN pool computer, it is within company policy to defame the character of another Ford employee? This is not about glass houses, it is about the absolute abuse of a company resource on company time. I do not work at the same local as this person, and I do not post on company time. Ever.

 

The company should be monitoring this forum, and investigate all suspected abuses. It is not about "glass houses", it is about zero tolerance and respect for fellow employees, and the misuse of company resources.

 

This is a public forum. Disagreements and flame wars will happen. It's the nature of the beast.

[uawworker]

This is a public forum. Disagreements and flame wars will happen. It's the nature of the beast.

 

You are overlooking the fact that it was "On company time, and on a company computer." That is an outright violation of company policy. It is definitely a disciplinary offense.

[BlueMagic_1]

You are overlooking the fact that it was "On company time, and on a company computer." That is an outright violation of company policy. It is definitely a disciplinary offense.

 

 

I don't know the guy's situation and I refuse to speculate on it. I am not over-looking anything.

 

This isn't a company website. We don't even know if half of these people are actual Ford employees.

 

I think it is best to ignore those that make personal attacks.

[grindliner1968]

Hmmmmmm...........

 

The free press didn't try to make the UAW look bad, Mario made us look bad.

 

Open mouth, insert foot!

 

I knew we were in trouble when I read the sentence "No other leaders in attendance would comment"

 

I also noticed how the focus was on protecting the UAW's income from our dues, not necessarily on how the UAW is protecting our jobs.

 

Funny, Mario's Quotes in the news paper are very different from his beacon articles. I guess maybe if he wrote his own beacon articles, he could at least remember what he wrote when giving interviews to newspapers.

 

But, then again, when your son writes them for you, and you just glance over it just prior to turning it in, one can easily see how this can happen.

[Bored of Pisteon]

You are overlooking the fact that it was "On company time, and on a company computer." That is an outright violation of company policy. It is definitely a disciplinary offense.

 

But you fail to mention that most of us on this forum USE OUR OWN COMPUTERS ON OUR OWN PRECIOUS FREE TIME!

 

Why don't you quit this fucking pro-company jibba-jabba and get to the point Mr. UAW company cockswallower!YOU DO GET PAID BY THE COMPANY TOO DON'T YOU? :kissass: :kissass: :poke: :poke:

[{CARD-SHARK}]

[grindliner1968]

The August 23rd Detroit Free Press Articled, regarding statements made by Mario Guerreso regarding buyouts, took statements out of context from the following Local 245 Beacon article printed May 2006. Put this article next to the Free Press article and judge for yourself the misrepresentations portrayed by the Free Press. The local Detroit papers have not been in the corner of the UAW, and here is a shining example. Enjoy, and use this as a lesson "DO NOT BELIEVE WHAT YOU READ IN THE NEWS PAPERS, GO TO THE SOURCE. HERE IS THE SOURCE."

 

 

This and all other Beacon Articles are archived and can be viewed at www.uawlocal245.org website.

 

 

From the top of every page on blueovalforums.com:

 

Do not cut or paste copywritten work in the forums without permission of the copyright holder. Please link to material instead.

 

 

From the bottom of every www.uawlocal245.org page:

 

 

All Information © 2006 UAW Local 245.

Reproduction in part or in whole is expressly forbidden without written permission.

 

 

 

My question now to uawworker is this:

 

When did you recieve permission from UAW Local 245 to post it's copywritten material here????

 

Looks to me as if you are in violation of United States Copywright law and the Digital Millennium Copywright Act

Edited September 2, 2006 by grindliner1968

[UAW900]

From the top of every page on blueovalforums.com:

 

Do not cut or paste copywritten work in the forums without permission of the copyright holder. Please link to material instead.

From the bottom of every www.uawlocal245.org page:

All Information © 2006 UAW Local 245.

Reproduction in part or in whole is expressly forbidden without written permission.

My question now to uawworker is this:

 

When did you recieve permission from UAW Local 245 to post it's copywritten material here????

 

Looks to me as if you are in violation of United States Copywright law and the Digital Millennium Copywright Act

THANK YOU !!! grindliner for ordering the gag order on uaworker...the only thing worse than his banter is that of the president of local 245...maybe they are related!!!

These two bring down the whole UAW!!! :rip:

[BlueMagic_1]

THANK YOU !!! grindliner for ordering the gag order on uaworker...the only thing worse than his banter is that of the president of local 245...maybe they are related!!!

These two bring down the whole UAW!!! :rip:

 

Be careful, he may turn you into HR for "Zero Tolerance".

[DSenstad]

I knew of a foreman who use to check his Chrysler stock on his computer at his desk on the floor. He is now a ME, one step from Area Manager... maybe more people should use the company computer for personal issues.