Forum Post: WSWS: UAW contracts set stage for global attack on auto workers
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 10, 2011, 6:08 p.m. EST by SandyEnglish
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World Socialist Web Site: UAW contracts set stage for global attack on auto workers
Two weeks after the United Auto Workers signed a new round of labor agreements with General Motors, Ford and Chrysler, it is becoming clear that the deals only set the stage for a further offensive against auto workers in the US and internationally.
On Wednesday, GM announced it made $1.7 billion in third-quarter profits, following similar reports from Ford and Chrysler last month. Nevertheless, GM CEO Dan Akerman pledged to drive up profits in the US, Europe and other regions in order to boost the company’s share value and satisfy big investors. “We plan actions everywhere to improve our margins,” the company’s financial director stated.
There is immense anger among auto worker over the contracts, which were negotiated and then pushed through by the United Auto Workers in the face of widespread opposition. “Workers are very frustrated,” said Christina, a worker at Chrysler Warren Truck Assembly Plant in suburban Detroit. “After giving up so much we hoped to have gotten something back in our pockets. But the UAW got us nothing. They are all bought and paid for. The UAW is a corporation not a union.”
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And when Ford needed to re-tool his factory for different model cars he laid off all of those workers.
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Wrong. When autoworkers are laid off they get unemployment benefits plus their union benefits. Henry Ford just fired the employees. No benefits. Do you know how long he was closed before re-opening? Over 5 months. More than 10,000 workers were let go all at once. Ford told them to "work harder to get jobs." Remember this is in 1927. Detroit's unemployment rate went to 30%. All of the plants were not reopened following the firings.
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Correct. Read up on the history of the United Auto Workers union. Also, read up on the Jewish rants Henry Ford printed in newspapers.