Detroit workers stunned, angered as bailout stalls

[babylonsister]

Detroit workers stunned, angered as bailout stalls
By Kevin Krolicki


DETROIT (Reuters) - William Ford, an unemployed auto worker, grew angry and resigned and then angry again when he thought about the political debate that has stalled a bailout for the once-proud automakers that built Detroit.

"If they can spend billions on war and billions to bail out Wall Street, then they can help the Big Three," said Ford, who was waiting for a bus next to a Chrysler plant on Thursday afternoon as the U.S. Senate debated tightening up terms of a rescue package for the industry.

"We need this help. This is supposed to be the United States," said Ford, 25, who was laid off from his job in a Chrysler LLC engine plant in March.

Ford says he is frustrated with auto chief executives and their private jets, frustrated with Detroit's reputation for shoddy quality, and frustrated that the fate of an industry that has sustained his family for three generations has come to this: a handout from Washington.

"Never in my life did I think we'd see the Big Three crash like this," Ford said.

more...

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSTRE4BB04B20081212?sp=true

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. This can't happen

It will be the end of America if these automakers don't get help.

Two and one half million people out of work, not counting the auto workers?

Just because those Republican pricks want to bust unions.

I hate them. I hate them so much.

[MaryEllen9399]

4. I am from the detroit area

and even though I don't work for the big 3 or belong to a union, I'm so depressed over this. I told my husband that if my inlaws lose their home(he's retired from Chrysler) that they could come stay with us even though we live in a small 2 bedroom condo.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

14. My husband

was born in Highland Park, went to Wayne State, and got his doctorate from U. of Michigan. So I still consider myself a wolverine.

I loved Detroit, which was running down when we used to go there. My inlaws finally had to move out of Highland Park after someone shot a window out in their living room. But my husband has great memories of growing up there, and I still have a soft spot in my heart for what used to be the London Chop House - my father-in-law always insisted on taking us there for dinner, and always reminded us that it was Jimmy Hoffa's favorite restaurant. The steaks were great.

And Vernor's. I remember watching the bottling through those big glass windows, and then learning - oh, joy! - about Vernor's and cream.

That nostalgia aside, you are a wonderful person to consider taking in your inlaws. That is so sweet of you. I am hoping that none of that will come to pass.

This is so wrong, I can't believe it. They gave - GAVE! - those hundreds of billions to Wall Street, who'd nicely greased their palms during the fat times, and now that the Big Three need a hand, they're told to get lost. I don't think I've ever been so disappointed by what laughingly is called my "government."

I mourn for my country. Are we going to make it to January 20, 2009, and what will be left by then?

I wish you luck, MaryEllen3........................

[MaryEllen9399]

17. thnak you Tangerine for the kind words

This is the 1st time that I have been truly scared for my country and Jan 20, 2009 can't get here fast enough.

[roguevalley]

22. people need to start walking toward Washington DC and occupy

spaces, especially among the fucking southern traitors who are shilling for Japanese corps. I would go. I truly would and I live in Alaska.

[alcibiades_mystery]

2. The Southern Republicans are too busy shilliung for Volkswagon, Honda, and Toyota

The Southern Republicans say "Fuck DETROIT!!!" We heart the VW and Mercedes!!!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

3. Then you have this...

GM announces plant reductions

GM to cut production by 250,000 autos in early '09

Automaker to shutter most North American plants for 30% of first quarter

By KATIE MERX • FREE PRESS BUSINESS WRITER • December 12, 2008

General Motors Corp., which is involved in a last-ditch effort to garner federal funds to help it survive through January, confirmed this morning that it is slashing approximately 250,000 units of production in the first quarter by shutting down most North American assembly plants for about 30% of the first quarter.

A GM spokesman would not say which plants have been affected, but said the company would likely make an announcement later today.

The 250,000 units of production include 60,000 units of car and truck production already cut last week.

Workers at GM’s Kansas City, Kan., car plant this morning said they were notified this morning that they will be down from the holidays through Feb. 9.

Workers at GM’s Kansas City, Kan., car plant and its Spring Hill, Tenn., crossover plant this morning said they were notified this morning that they will be down from the holidays through Feb. 9.

http://www.freep.com/article/20081212/BUSINESS01/81212044

[sufrommich]

5. You know things are bad when William Ford ends his

career working on the line and getting laid off.:evilgrin:

[TahitiNut]

12. At Chrysler, no less.

:silly:

[knitter4democracy]

6. It's not just the auto workers. All of Michigan is stunned and furious.

I have yet to meet anyone who isn't enraged over this. It's going to kill off Michigan, be the final blow to our economy and way of life, and those damn Republicans didn't give a shit. They can kiss my ass!

[sufrommich]

15. Have you ever seen such a morbid day in Michigan?

Everybody with long faces and speaking in worst case scenario terms.Truly depressing around here.

[knitter4democracy]

21. Very depressing here, too.

It's really bad. I've never seen it like this.

[Raschel]

7. Sorry to tell you William, republican voters are jealous of you and are willing to see the country

tank in order to see you without.

[newtothegame]

9. I don't think it's jealousy...

Unions didn't exactly vote for Republicans before. The partisanship of unions made this virtually a risk free move; there are no Republican votes to lose in Detroit. Outside some donations from corporate, they had very little to lose politically.

Politicaly revenge maybe.

[Auggie]

8. No way, 30 years ago, could you have imagined GM facing bankruptcy

Hell, even 20 or 10 years ago. This is huge. And a sad, sad moment in U.S. history.

[CitizenPatriot]

10. NOT helping things, pukes

My friends who lives in Detroit were out last night and parked with several other people, all of whom had major damage done to their cars by "desperate and angry" people (police description based on use of crow bar to gain entry via sunroofs). My point is that the automakers success/failure affects everyone -- not just the automakers and their workers. We hardly need more desperate, scared, hungry and homeless people.

Who knows if this incident is directly related, but I can tell you it sure didn't help the atmosphere. These folks hardly needed the extra expense either.

The Republicans are earning the right to be voted right out of every office in the land. The people will rise up.

[bdamomma]

11. this calls for torches and pitchforks

or maybe a general strike we must unite with our auto workers. Enough BS already.

[MaryEllen9399]

13. BTW the local morning show I listen to in the Detroit Area

they took calls about the loans failing and let me tell you there is some serious anti union sentiment here. A lot of them believe the stories about union abuses on the job. The hosts btw are for the loan and one was pro UAW.

[sufrommich]

16. I could only listen at break time for a couple of minutes to Paul W.

Smith,but most of the callers were angry at the goverment turning down the loan.Someone told me that later(or earlier) the dreaded Thaddeous McCotter was on doing the same.

[MaryEllen9399]

18. I listened to Jay and Bill on 97.1 the ticket fm nt

[Bozita]

20. McCotter's been sounding like a DUer in recent days.

Must be one of those deathbed conversions.

[blue_onyx]

23. It's weird hearing him say rational things

Never thought I would be on the same side of an issue as him.

[Greyhound]

19. What are UAW's plans to make these assholes infamous? n/t