The View from Inside the Plant: GM Worker Analyzes Strike Implication

Perils of GM Walkout Balanced With Need to Protect Job Rights, Benefits

September 24, 2007
By: Letters to the Editor

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following column was written by a General Motors employee at an area auto plant. We believe it is in the public interest to publish this unsigned column anonymously because it comes from the heart and addresses global issues important to us all as the historic GM strike gets underway.

I have mixed feelings on this deal. On the one hand, I have to support the UAW and its decisions. On the other, I wonder if it's the right thing to do given the non support from non union folks out there?

But most of all, the American auto industry is fighting for its existence right now. Something like this could tilt these companies to seek employees that would work for far less money and are willing to do so without a union.

It is so strange that in today's world the US auto companies are going overseas and the foreigns are all coming here. A flip flop if you may. Why is that??? Does our government know something that we don't to allow this?????

Anyway, I think that this strike is a bad thing. The timing is wrong, the glass bowl that the US based auto companies are swimming in is getting thinner. This strike may be the one thing that cracks it.

On the other hand, if the UAW doesn't stand strong, it may be the start of the end of the middle class as we know it. Other US based companies would quickly follow suit. This could be a VERY bad thing.

I'm surprised that Bush hasn't stepped in as Reagan did with the air traffic controllers. The UAW opened the contract (a rare thing) a year or two ago and we, as members gave concessions to help out our Company. It personally cost me around $2,500 and retirees pitched in a bundle also. I think that was GM's foot in the door and they are trying for more.

How quickly the public forgets those facts as they continue to put down unions. I would bet my bottom dollar that those folks would work for a union backed company if given the chance. I really believe that it's a jealousy thing. They would join in a heartbeat. It would be foolish of them if they didn't.

It was hush hush at work until we were informed about the 11 am deadline. I was hoping things would be worked out and I was a bit surprised to see that the strike took place. Since it has, I have to live with it.

When it's all said and done, I pray that the glass bowl will still be able to hold water.

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