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I worked as a process/project engineer for GM/Delco for ~13 yrs (‘88~’00) and witnessed my share of UAW (Usually Aren’t Working) union stories. I will admit there are many hard working, caring UAW members, that talked badly about their own union, but the union goons – area rep’s, local committeemen, area committeemen, local presidents, on up the line, are the ones that intimidate the rank & file. <br> <br> Another factor in all of this is the high number of ‘skilled’ trades unions supporting all of the manufacturing operations. The trade unions do not get along with each other and file as many grievances between each other as they do with management. It’s all about control and power.<br> <br> A few crazy examples...<br> <br> Hours Balancing: When OT was scheduled I could not request the more productive workers to be scheduled. The union requirement was that it was only ‘fair’ that the hours were equally given. The employee with the least amount of hours was given the first chance and these were usually the least skilled and unmotivated employees. <br> <br> Another prime example was something as simple as an ESD work table for electronics assembly. A typical 60in x 30in table one from a wholesaler might cost $220.<br> We weren’t allowed to purchase one, but we needed to use the ‘skilled’ trades to construct one for use.<br> <br> Millwright: <br> > to cut the steel frame pieces<br> > to weld the steel to make the table frame.<br> <br> Painter: <br> > to paint the table frame.<br> <br> Carpenter:<br> > to cut the table top to fit the frame<br> > to cut and attach ESD laminate<br> <br> Electrician:<br> > to attach ground wire from table leg to ESD surface<br> <br> Millwright: <br> > to move table from shop to end location<br> <br> To say the least we always had to budget ~$360 to have these made because for some reason we were told these needed to be built on OT. The kicker was the ‘skilled’ trades guys were usually sitting around reading the paper or playing cards while I’m being told that they can’t work on my table until OT was scheduled. And if management didn’t schedule OT my table would have to wait. I could have ordered a table from a wholesaler and had it delivered within 5 days, but I was forced to have the ‘skilled’ trades build one and I needed to wait almost 4 weeks to get it. For a freaking table!!!<br> <br> I have always been loyal to GM but as long as they succumb to the socialist union pukes that run the UAW, I have a hard time believing they can pull themselves out of the red.
By Tom in Aggieland
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