look what GM is spending their money on, hint: nothing that will aid the buyer or U.S

[budz4buddy]

GM offers buyouts to all UAW members - Feb. 12, 2008 (http://money.cnn.com/2008/02/12/news/companies/gm/index.htm?iref=topnews)

[HerbalConfusion]

Its called running a business what do you expect them to do? They have lost billions of dollars. Lets have them keep taking more of our money and losing it GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY!

[Mr. Clandestine]

I've got to second that. At least they're not cutting pensions and sending these workers out into the cold. It may not be ideal circumstances for anyone who takes a buyout, but at least they have some breathing room.

This is what companies do. Especially big guns like GM and Ford. In any business, you need to stay competitive in your market, and you need to cut expenses in order to stay competitive. We're in a bit of a recession, if you haven't noticed, and fewer American consumers are able to shell out the cash for new vehicles at the moment. GM is just doing what has to be done. The day that I see Ford, GM, Chevy, etc., start closing up shop and moving all facilities to India is the day that begin to worry.

[Twentyinches]

Ya know, i'm inbetween here. I understand it from GM's point because if that's my company, I want profits etc... but I think this is overboard. I do not think it's fair to fire an American to give that job to someone who probably isn't even legal to pay them less.

How about we just open boarders too? and give all jobs away... I mean pretty soon our national language will be spanish. Everything will turn to spanish and we'll be pressing "1" to continue in english (which just watch, it will be a voice recording of someone with broken english) you know who they will hire to replace those ppl...

[budz4buddy]

at least Toyota builds cars in the US, which aids blue collar US workers

friendly lil' Corolla anyone

[Mr. Clandestine]

I do not think it's fair to fire an American to give that job to someone who probably isn't even legal to pay them less.

They're not looking to acquire undocumented workers, just less-skilled workers who can be trained and paid at a lower wage. Like I said, it's not ideal for the employees, but it's better than GM placing bets on a sleepy economy and possibly having to do mass-layoffs further down the road, and with much less incentive for those being canned. And I'm sure quite a few employees will be spared this fate because of the invaluable skills they offer the company.


How about we just open boarders too? and give all jobs away... I mean pretty soon our national language will be spanish. Everything will turn to spanish and we'll be pressing "1" to continue in english (which just watch, it will be a voice recording of someone with broken english) you know who they will hire to replace those ppl...

I understand your frustration completely, and have always thought we needed stricter border controls. There will always be people willing to risk their business for super-low labor costs by illegal immigrants, but hopefully the future will see many of these companies getting audited and shut down for their negligence. Companies that knowingly allow this kind of labor aren't doing anything for our struggling economy, as most of the employees in question end up sending most of their money out of the country to their own families. Fines are increasing, and penalties are becoming more harsh for those found to be knowingly supporting this kind of behavior. I think GM knows this, and isn't going to risk the outrageous fines they'd be slapped with if they got caught. After all, they're trying to save money.

[Twentyinches]

They're not looking to acquire undocumented workers, just less-skilled workers who can be trained and paid at a lower wage. Like I said, it's not ideal for the employees, but it's better than GM placing bets on a sleepy economy and possibly having to do mass-layoffs further down the road, and with much less incentive for those being canned. And I'm sure quite a few employees will be spared this fate because of the invaluable skills they offer the company.



I understand your frustration completely, and have always thought we needed stricter border controls. There will always be people willing to risk their business for super-low labor costs by illegal immigrants, but hopefully the future will see many of these companies getting audited and shut down for their negligence. Companies that knowingly allow this kind of labor aren't doing anything for our struggling economy, as most of the employees in question end up sending most of their money out of the country to their own families. Fines are increasing, and penalties are becoming more harsh for those found to be knowingly supporting this kind of behavior. I think GM knows this, and isn't going to risk the outrageous fines they'd be slapped with if they got caught. After all, they're trying to save money.

Yah I hear ya, less skilled haha, "why is my windshield leaking? and where in the hell did my side mirror just go?" lol. let's hope the quality doesn't suffer any more then it has in the past.
I actually used to work for a company who did this, and they used me as their translator. They kept replacing workers because it was cheaper....
It was job security for me but had I not known what I did, I may have lost my job this same way. They were actually turned in anonymously by one of the illigal workers. (I heard them talking about it, there was an issue with someone spanking off in the mens b-room. Well once they found out who did it they fired him-but didn't think about the rest of his cousins and brothers and brothers cousins and aunts and aunts of aunts and etc that STILL worked there)

[killerweed420]

Its a pretty good deal for the workers. I'm not a big union fan. Some of these retirement plans that the GM workers get are very generous. And that is one of the biggest issues that gets these companies in financial difficulties. Long term retirement programs cost these companies a lot of money, thats why a lot of companies and government programs are going to subcontractors.

[Mr. Clandestine]

Yah I hear ya, less skilled haha, "why is my windshield leaking? and where in the hell did my side mirror just go?" lol. let's hope the quality doesn't suffer any more then it has in the past.
I actually used to work for a company who did this, and they used me as their translator. They kept replacing workers because it was cheaper....
It was job security for me but had I not known what I did, I may have lost my job this same way. They were actually turned in anonymously by one of the illigal workers. (I heard them talking about it, there was an issue with someone spanking off in the mens b-room. Well once they found out who did it they fired him-but didn't think about the rest of his cousins and brothers and brothers cousins and aunts and aunts of aunts and etc that STILL worked there)

If I have my choice, I'll never again have to work for a corporation, or anyone who has the authority and power to put me in such a situation. I've got more than my fair share of corporate horror stories. I worked my way through college as a security specialist for an enormous chain of retail stores. I supervised stores all over the state and had to endure countless meetings with general managers, regional/district managers, all the way up to the Vice President. A good majority of those I met were cut-throat, ruthless people who viciously defended their bottom-line... NOT the employees. Even my old boss was willing to have me break rules to meet certain agendas. Many of which were solely to "weed out" the expendable employees from the useful ones. All the while I was thinking that at least my branch (loss/theft prevention) had some kind of moral authority. They never gave a shit about me or my development as an employee, they just wanted me to save them as much money as possible... even if I had to break their rules to do it.

They, like a lot of penny-pinching American corporations, moved a great deal of their operations overseas... into the hands of the cheapest bidder, and out of the hands of American workers. I'm glad to see that GM is at least trying to give a good severance to those who don't make the cut, and is also giving advanced notice. They could've been bastards about the whole thing and resorted to mass unannounced layoffs. That's what my old company probably would have done...

[Twentyinches]

They, like a lot of penny-pinching American corporations, moved a great deal of their operations overseas... into the hands of the cheapest bidder, and out of the hands of American workers. I'm glad to see that GM is at least trying to give a good severance to those who don't make the cut, and is also giving advanced notice. They could've been bastards about the whole thing and resorted to mass unannounced layoffs. That's what my old company probably would have done...

Like D e l l? haha, yeah I almost gave up on customer service when after 4 calls, I still couldnt understand the person on the other line...

dude wtf, as I'm writing this the news just passed someone who got arrested for having an oz of mj... #$^**3!@$$^$!!!!!!!!

[Twentyinches]

Oh and I forgot to add, that happened to my car. It was assembled in Mex, well I had to take it back 4 diff times to have things fixed on it. Not because they were broke but because the parts were either not on the car, or they were on backwards. My window seals were installed backwards, so it leaked and ruined my bran new Alpine component system, passenger seat was only partially bolted down, the tunk popper didn't work, it was nuts. I just told them if my car (which was new) isn't put into new condition that there will be issues. Well I got my car back the next day with everything pristine, even with extras due to this. At least they made it right but wtf? how can you go so wrong with stuff like that? man..

[hubrock]

i see this is an american discussion, but heres whats happenin up here...

the CAW (canadian autoworkers union), has negotiated their wage up so high that of course the contracts are goin elsewhere. why would GM do in oshawa what they can do in china for half the price? the blame falls on the autoworkers who insist on making 100k/yr and then cry to the govt when they are out of work.

gm is a public corporation owned by shareholders all over the world. it is not responsible for the well being of any nation, but rather delivering a profit to the shareholders.

if autoworkers want work, they shouldnt ask for twice as much as the next man wants.

our loonie being 50% more expensive than it was 2 years ago doesnt help!