Republican Attack On Auto Workers Union Is An Outrage by Ralph Nader & Robert Weissman

[Better Believe It]

News Release
WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --
The following is a statement from consumer advocate Ralph Nader and Robert Weissman, director of the advocacy group Essential Action:

In an effort to break the United Auto Workers -- a union that historically has been responsible for raising wages and benefits not just for unionized auto workers but for all working Americans -- Senate Republicans are apparently willing to permit the collapse of the U.S. auto industry.

Unionized auto workers have made steady concessions over the last quarter century, including in the 2007 contract, which will have many new workers start jobs at $14 an hour. These employees will be making about half of what their co-workers earn.

It is both an outrage and illogical for the Senate Republicans to suggest UAW worker wages and benefits should be driven down to the levels at non-unionized Japanese plants in the United States. It is an outrage because it disrespects the hard and dangerous work done by auto workers, explicitly aims to undermine the benefits of workers joining together to exercise their right to bargain collectively, and accelerates the United States' trajectory to ever-descending wages and benefits. It is illogical, too. Although the Japanese plants keep wages close to UAW rates as an anti-union strategy, they can always lower their wages further, on a unilateral basis, in a never-ending race-to-the-bottom.

The action by the Senate Republicans is extraordinarily reckless, challenging the most important institution for advancing working peoples' living standards -- unions -- and threatening to worsen drastically an already severe recession.

Even the Republicans' sense of political self-interest seems dimmed by their anti-union zealotry. Senate Republicans may think they gain political points by standing against assistance to a major industry, but they will suffer political damage lasting generations if they permit the U.S. auto industry to collapse.

http://newsblaze.com/story/2008121214330400005.pnw/topstory.html

[BOSSHOG]

1. I think the republican senators have a point

I mean if they had a nice salary and a pension plan and a very nice health care plan for them and their family provided by the taxpayers, not by a contract with a private corporation, then I'd say fuck em for being the selfish pukes that they are, but obviously they are struggling just like every other American. Its just amazing how well those with conservative values look out for the average american.

[Caliman73]

2. We all know that Republicans are anti-Union

My question is, "Where the hell are the Democrats and why are they not beating the Republicans up over this?" They would rather spend time telling PE Obama how he should approach Congress than fighting for the average American worker?

I have no love for the way the American auto industry has been run by greedy bastards. They can all go to hell, but we are talking about 3 million jobs here. If the Democrats do not take a more vocal stand for the Union and American workers, then they will be as much to blame as the Republicans.

[.... callchet ....]

3. UAW

It is an outrage because once again the "right to life" is being challenged by the Republicans. To any great extent, the UAW memebers don't hoard money in invsetment schemes, CD's or hedge funds. They spend their money. They are the basic fundamentals of an economy. The Republicans want to lower the standard of living in the USA to 3rd world standards. It is their argumnet for competing with cheap labor worldwide. Support the UAW now and avoid the WPA later. Their desire for cheap labor among other things would deny accessible health care, in effect uthanizing the poor. The USA is headed for a depression of epic porportions. These battles must not overshadow the big picture. Now is the time to guarantee the basic needs of food, shelter, clothing and medical care. Go to the end game and work backwards to solve the problems. Don't sacrifice the USA to procrastination !

[madrchsod]

4. welcome to du......

[Better Believe It]

5. Good post and welcome to DU!