First UPS now GM - Will the Unions ever learn?
August 05, 1998
You would think the Unions would have learned a valuable lesson during the UPS strike. On the
surface, it appears they reached an agreement that benefits their members. In reality, the only
benefits were for the union leaders. What isn't being reported, is since the strike UPS has not
recovered the business they lost and as a result, have laid off thousands of employees.
Now the GM strike has ended and workers are going back to the plants. Or are they?
Reuters reports, "General Motors Corp. Chairman Jack Smith said Wednesday the automaker
plans to close plants, cut workers and eliminate models in the United States in a bid to be
more competitive."
It is reported that GM "will continue to reduce its hourly work force through attrition" The
consultants and analysts say it "needs to trim another 50,000 from about 220,000 hourly
workers."
GM will cut not only plants and workers, but car models as well. Reuters further reports,
"analysts have said GM plans to eliminate the Buick Riviera, as well as possibly the Chevrolet
Camaro and Pontiac Firebird."
Are the unions shooting themselves in the foot? Or are they shooting their members in the
head? What are your thoughts?
