Keith Olbermann on autoworker pay

[032490mf]

This guy is a friggin Clown. Stupid is as stupid does

[GreggTheEgg]

Why don't people get it?  The problem isn't that some people have unions. The problem is that everyone doesn't have one to represent them.

[richis2fast4u]

Its very easy to blame the UAW for GM and Chrysler's downturn the past couple years, but keep in mind that GM negotiates all wages, health benefits, and pensions. Its not like the UAW goes to GM headquarters in Detroit and says you have to pay us $28 bucks an hour (New hires now start at $14.) GM agreed to these wages. Sure at the time it might have been high, but the UAW has taken many concessions in wages and health benefits.

[032490mf]

@richis2fast4u Holy Shit! $14 dollars an hour to start. This for a unskilled bozo brain job. Where do I sign up? Is a high school education good enough? Around here you need to have a college education to start at that much

[richis2fast4u]

@032490mf Wages are relative to your location, cost of living in the area, and competition of jobs in the area. In Michigan and surrounding states, cost if living is high relative to the rest of the midwest. If you live in North Dakota, than yeah $14 an hour is alot of money because cost of living is lower. Again I don't know where you live, but $14 an hour in Michigan is a relatively menial wage, most non union like warehouse staff jobs start at $13 an hour with no skills or anything.

[phattz03]

Who do you think is going to pay for those poor souls health care when they are in their fifties,and worn out from being overworked at teryota?hmmm?NOT TEROTA.YOU AND I !!!Thanks Japan for taking the money and running.

[docj09]

WOW!!!! Keith just made himself out to be such an idiot by making it seem like $28 an hour isn't that much money, and the free health care provided by the unions(not free but they pay a small union due each week). We get that $28 an hour isn't much to you "the millionaire" Keith Olbermann....but to the rest of America that is a pretty good paying job. I work at UPS and they are Teamsters...yeah it's a physical job but they take care of you well. Drivers there make over 80K a year before benefits

[AntiSocialist100]

Oh My!!! Poor UAW workers don't get paid $70 an hour they get paid $28 an hour. $28 an hour for a bunch of morons with GEDs to do menial labor. Let's see all the lazy UAW scum try to get a job somewhere else besides the Big 3, they would be lucky to get jobs at Taco Bell for $7.25 an hour. The bailout of GM and Chrysler is a disgrace.

[Fisher7133]

@AntiSocialist100 sounds like youre just mad you dont work ther...hater!

[Torgo1969]

@AntiSocialist100 I concur. Those UAW morons should be shining our shoes and flipping our burgers. I didn't sacrifice my social life in my youth and study hard in high school and develop my mind and skills so that I'd eventually be paid less than a mindless assembly-line worker. If they wasted their lives and faiiled to prepare for the future then that's their fucking problem, not mine.

[richis2fast4u]

@AntiSocialist100 Even if you don't agree with the bailout of the auto industry, how blind can you be to not be able to see the repercussions that not bailing them out would cause. GM, Chrysler, and Ford are the livelihood of thousands of companies and at least hundreds of thousands of jobs in the United States. If you make automotive interior, what are you going to do if GM goes under? If you make axels for cars, what are you going to do if GM goes under? Step back and look big picture...

[ColdFusionMk1]

@AntiSocialist100 I challenge you to come do my job. Flint Assembly. I work 10 hours a day. I start at 5 pm and work until 3 am. YOU come do my job for a day. Tell me how you feel at the end of it. Hell, you can even have my pay for the day while we are at it. Just so you know, it gets hot. I recommend that you wear some shorts and have lots to drink (water, Gatorade), not that you will have time to drink it.

[scumboggle1]

To be ignorant of the facts is not a crime but to use the same line in order to sound educated is really sickening !

[myphonyaccount]

Conservatives are willing to sell themselves out to Walmart for minimum wage but can't stand it when somebody in a state that beat them in the civil war makes $28 an hour and isn't treated like an animal. In the next "war of northern aggression", psychologists should invade the south, not soldiers.

[local249mw]

Olbermann is correct coollerdoncooper(previous post) is dead wrong. I am an active worker and make exactly what Olbermann said, $28 per hour. I don't know why another american would try to make uaw workers look bad. Remember if I don't work I cannot buy your company's product, also if you support asian automakers the profits fix their roads and bridges not the ones we all share here in the U.S. Mr. Sorkin get your facts right before you shoot your mouth.

[coolerdoncooper]

Olbermann is wrong. I worked at with UAW workers at a Chrysler plant in Syracues NY and the high school educated line workers made $85,000 salary. Just that alone divided by the 2080 hours in a work year comes out to be $40. Now add in the healthcare with $0 premiums and deductables + pension + other benis and you do the math. To be ignorant of an issue is not a crime, but to have a loud and vocierfoius opinion on the issue while remaining in that state of ignorance is irresponsible.

[local249mw]

Perhaps 85K with overtime DUMMY!!

[checotahbill]

I did not know line workers were paid a salary. I thought they were paid by the hour.

[myphonyaccount]

The USA is the only western, industrialized nation left in the world without government health care. That's why companies in America that have to pay for it are less competitive.

[coolerdoncooper]

Companies do not have to pay for health care. They offer health care as an incentive for employees. There are plenty of companies that don't offer health care coverage. The problem is that health care is so expensive due to government regulation of the health care industry and abusive law suits. Only companies with union employees have to pay for health insurance b/c it's in the union contract and that contract mandates that they employer pay 100% of all premiums, deductables and co-pays.

[myphonyaccount]

Insurance companies are NOT regulated. They CAN deny care to people for pre-existing conditions. Copays would help reduce casual use of doctors for things that could have been taken care of online at home, but the insurance industry is in dire need of regulation.

[coolerdoncooper]

You are very misguided. Simply Google insurance and regulation. The are highly regulated as to what they can provide, what they must provide and to whom. To be ignorant of social issues is no crime, but to have a loud and vociferous opinion while remaining in that state of ignorance is irresponsible.

[myphonyaccount]

I'm aware of the baseline regulations, what I'm referring to are all the big holes that aren't filled. Such as pre-existing conditions. LIFE is a pre-existing condition.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@coolerdoncooper There is little government regulation in the private healthcare industry. Contracts between a bargaining unit (union) and a company/corporation are mutually agreed to by both parties involved. The company does not have to (and often does not) agree to any demands that are made by the bargaining unit. The company can make demands the same as the bargaining unit. The negotiations are mutual, not just one sided. I know of MANY workers that have unions that do not have 100% coverage

[coolerdoncooper]

Who do you think pays for government health care? Businesses and workers via higher taxes. And due to gov inefficiencies and waste it will be more expensive and of lower quality. I've lived in 3 European countries with socialized health care. I have first hand experience with such systems, unlike you or anyone else involved in boondoggle. Not to mention there's no constitutional authority for the gov to force people to pay for health care for others.

[myphonyaccount]

Only the USA is asking for health care reform. Not those other countries. And for every horror story of socialized medicine, there are 10 in private health care. Private insurance IS a death panel.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@coolerdoncooper Look at a pay stub. Mine says $28. Now, I work for GM, not Chrysler. I cannot say with any definitive assurances that their pay is EXACTLY the same as ours, however, all three are roughly the same due to similar negotiations with all three companies. Anything beyond approximately $57K a year is due to overtime. Look at their pay stub at the end of the year. They probably have an hours tally somewhere on there because mine does for pension time calculation.

[toddg8]

GM =Goverment Money for staying afloat.

When the UAW leadership was partying in Florida this year at a luxury hotel were they spending their own money, or the union's? Bottom line get rid of liberal left wing bias and do great, otherwise let Nancy Pelosi and Michael Moore buy your cars and trucks. Fix UAW and Congress? Term Limits and no outside influence or corruption like foreign interests and lobby money.

[myphonyaccount]

GM will have the loans paid in a few years. It beats an additional 3 million jobs lost. The Republicans have done nothing for this country except spend Clinton's surplus, put us into major debt to fund 2 stupid wars in the oil rich middle east.

[kittycatback]

UAW = U Aren't Working!

[ColdFusionMk1]

@kittycatback I am working. Deal with it.

[scumboggle1]

Think for yourself is what I am saying, UAW gows away what then? Prices of autos will drop? Then big business goes after your wage, my wage. Unions were started to protect against rampant abuses of employers, and you would like to see the good old days back? Unions go away and yours will be the next head on the chop block. They dont teach that in history class anymore. If the prospect of fighting for your $2 an hour job with illegals entices you keep bashing, it will happen.

[savannah505]

Get rid of unions = equals getting rid of wasted money, they had their time and need long ago. Sorry scumboggle1 your figures don't speak the truth. With bennies AW's make damn good money, too good for working on an assembly line. The work is not that difficult, you should try other jobs that require a lot more skill and don't pay as well. Sick of these mafia UAW bosses, living the life of luxury while not giving a damn about the workers. Company execs need to be fair in order for this to work.

[myphonyaccount]

If the free market could have managed itself and treated workers like human beings instead of animals, there would be no need for a union or government loans. Obviously the free market needs supervision, regulation, worker involvement and equity. The union itself has become corrupt, but it should be cleaned up, not gotten rid of.

[57haight]

The UAW charges the big three auto companies an average of $73.00 an hour for each worker on the assembly line and in the Jobs Bank. As well having the line over staffed through union "featherbedding"

So fuck this lying low life flour eyed commie cocksucker Keith Obershit.

Now here is the break down per UAW member for each of the Big 3:

GM pays $72.00 per each worker per hour

Ford pays $70.00 "

(Daimler) Chrysler $75.00 "

[swampfoxx81]

not all the blame should be put on the uaw. but some of it should

[toddg8]

UAW is why I a life long American car own will never buy another new one or purchase factory parts. They are so blatently political to the left let the kids in college in Berkley buy a Chevy rednecks want to support working Americans and UAW is purely leftwing political let lefties buy ford or chevy........When they go under I will laugh at your warrenties and if you lost your job thank the UAW or a Liberal.

[coleyman1]

Hey toddg8,,,, I agree with you 100%, but next time you leave a comment be sure and proof read it before you hit the "post" button. Your gonna make us conservatives look like a bunch of ranting, uneducated, far right-wingers if you don't learn to spell and structue sentences better than that. Come on guy, shape up...

[toddg8]

Thanks for the note on proof reading. Not so sure posting is a great idea instead of just writing a seperate response and most probably everyone who has ever used the net has had gramatical errors.

[coleyman1]

Easy man!! There's humor in them thar hills!! Ha......Have a good holiday..

[myphonyaccount]

It's like putting a school in a trailer park when it really needs it's own abortion clinic.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@toddg8 The UAW supports any candidate that supports workers and their families, Democrat or Republican. I as a member, see the candidates that the UAW has supported. I have seen them support Republicans, not often, but it does occur. I have zero understanding as to why any American would want any other American to lose their job. I as an American and proud UAW member, want to see all Americans that want to work get and keep a job that makes a good living wage for themselves and their families.

[danimal9579]

So let left-wing propagandists think for us?? LOL ... Olbermann is boob. I have a Camry and it's the best the car I've ever owned. Resale value and reliability for U.S. cars still isn't at a Honda/Toyota level

[scumboggle1]

What fantasy world do you guys live in ? Did you ever pay a hospital bill ? Get a Rx and pay for it ? $30 a hour is not big money, not in America. I support unions, american workers and fair wages for americans. UAW does not make products, auto manufacturers do, poor ones with built in defects to boost profits. Like the K cars. So stop letting right wing propogandists think for you, turn your tv off once in a while, quit whatever mart and support Americans or just keep up the hate mail its funny

[toddg8]

I know a HELL of a lot of people that think 30 dollars an hour with medical would be heaven.......UAW is why AMC no longer exists.......and pretty soon ford and chevy. When the UAW can spend a little time courting both sides of the political spectrum instead of just far left liberals then maybe those conservatives will start buying your cars and trucks again. Spend a little less time in Palm Beach Floriday UAW badmouthing anyone that is not a Michael Moore Democrat........I boycott liberal.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@toddg8 AMC no longer exists because it was poorly managed and was finally bought up by Chrysler in 1987. Get over it.

[bboywind]

UAW is fuckin fail, its far outlived its purpose

[pigfukker]

UAW workers should thank their lucky stars that they have been grossly overpaid for so long. They do a job that anyone with have a brain could do. UAW makes a mediocre at best product anyway and are underworked pampered babies who don't even realize how fortunate they have been to get away with this for so long. Your companies are failing? WOW, what a surpise!

[hfl2005]

Fucking UNION SCUM

Break the union let the big 3 go out of business

[mscudagal]

Rock on Keith!

Thanks for exposing the LIE that the main stream media is pushing about UAW workers making $70+ an hour .

[darkelow]

Sorry, but Olbermann is dead wrong on this one (I like him too).

It is not permitted for companies to promise workers benefits after they've retired without taking it up as a cost now (Since they follow GAAP). Leonhardt appears to have derived his figures by only including wages and benefits paid out today to workers, while excluding both the post-retirement costs that are accrued for current workers and the benefits paid out to currently retired workers, which of course is very misleading.

[mscudagal]

UAW auto workers had part of their pay raises diverted into the retirement fund for their retirement. The media is NOT telling the public the auto workers PAID into the retirement fund for their own retirement. And what happened to the 18 BILLION dollars the company had in savings for hard times? The UAW employees gave back about $3.00 per hour so that Chrysler would remain viable in hard times. That money was THERE when Daimler took it over.

[darkelow]

I don't think I see your point. Of course their money has to be allocated to a retirement FUND, it's the same as the person having some of they make towards a 401k.

I'm not seeing what's you're saying about the $18 billion. That's was already gone when they hit rock bottom,hence the purpose of the bailout.

Second, if the UAW actually did do the reduction earlier (Around in '06 when the debates got heated), The Big 3 could still of really survived without dipping into government funds.

[icepuck68]

Uh, msudagal, what Keith is saying here is a lie. On 60 minutes, back in December, they very well said all of this, That is all of the retiree, pensions, insurance, etc..........added in was part of the $70+ an hours. From 60 Minutes:

Hyundai workers, including benefits, $27.50 an hour.

GM, including benefits, $70 an hour.

Why? Higher cost covering retirees adds $37,000 per worker per year. GM has 360,000 retirees.

[benett747]

You are telling me that your benefits are $50 an hour!!??? That's $2,000 a week or $104,000 a YEAR for benefits!!??? YOU ARE A RETARD!!! HOW STUPID CAN YOU BE!!

[Atomsmasher777]

Republicans love to tear down the American worker and then complain that the rest of the world out-produces us.

I'm watching Obermann on the NBC Superbowl pre-game show, he rocks.

When will Americans realize that hurting the middle-class is just going to help the execs take bigger bonuses??

[willerdogg]

How much does this blow hard get for reading his teleprompter! LOL! Liberals are such hypocric!

[am60mo]

Sure they don't Keith, it was just our imagination when the union came out and admitted that the average was $73 including benefits two years ago,"BEFORE" the bailout was asked for. What a liar. Idiots will listen to anyone who speaks loudly and with passion, even if it is devoid of fact.

[guy48065]

Uberman never said the number was false--only that it's deceptive. Toyota recently stated their pay for non-union autoworkers was about $70 but nobody ran THAT as a headline. Fact: UAW represented US autoworkers and foreign-transplant autoworkers have nearly the same take-home pay. But nobody is going to put that in a headline simply because it doesn't fit their political agenda.

[am60mo]

they said it was $43 per hour bene's and salary. Had Toyota sone that you would have heard about it because the media is pro union.

I'd like to know "where" you got that Toyota said $70. Probably heard it from Oberdick..

[jmarquise]

what an idiot. $28 an hour is like $60,000 a year without overtime. this "average" includes the people who sweep the floors at ford. I would love to make $28 an hour to sweep floors. perhaps if these losers made what they deserved, ford, gm, and dodge could sell cars at a much lower cost. I hope all these greedy dickweeds get laid off.

[jmarquise]

so what you are saying is that you are retarded. you support the companies that killed the electric car. gotcha.

[jmarquise]

I would read, but I can't understand what you are saying. aren't you a canadian? go fuck yourself.

[jmarquise]

you have obvious mental issues. yes, $28 per hour to sweep floors. I realize that you are mentally retarded, but try to understand. they are paid based on how long they have been there. it's just like teachers unions. teachers get raises to teach. they don't do a different job. see, in the real world, you get a promotion when you get a new job with more responsibilities. in the union world, you get a raise based on years of service. get a clue you fucking cunt.

[bizbagley]

Perhaps you should research the pay structure for the hourly workers at GM, Ford and Chrysler. Also check into the pensions of the retired hourly workers. No matter where a person works, usually a raise is given each year. Do you work?

As for your language, there is no good reason to use profanity,

[jmarquise]

well, you're an idiot. notice that the other idiot deleted her comments. you have no idea what I was replying to. most employees are given yearly reviews. sometimes they get a raise, sometimes they don't. unless you are one of those insanely overpaid teachers. usually you are given a raise for increased responsibility. do you think a cashier at mcdonalds should make $150,000 per year because they have been there for 30 years? GET A CLUE. as for my language, fuck you.

[timetorevolt]

What, the New York Times lied? No way! It cheers me to think that the pathological liars of the NYTimes are crumbling because Americans are getting their news for alternative and community sources... not the idiot-fascists of the Times. My favorite recent Times series is: "Affordable restaurants for under $100/couple, not inc tax, tip, or beverage." It's written as "Can you believe there's food this cheap?" Shows who the Times serves... but even the rich are getting their news elsewhere.

[yankeekack]

BTW, this is the first time EVER that I think Goobermann has EVER said anything that makes any sense! Good job Boobermann!

[yankeekack]

Does anyone else here agree that this (any many other U.S. problems) is the direct result of "globalism" and the equalling out of economies? What did you think would happen when the U.S. workers only had to compete within the U.S. borders for jobs, decent work environ. & decent wages (with UAW help), and now globalism, in all it's glory & might, comes in and throws everything out of whack. Globalism - Good for other countries, not so good for U.S. workers and fair employee standards! WAKE UP!!

[jimbo24No8]

People have died in the union to get to where they are now. Paid vacations; health care, incentives to buy GM vehicles; a good daily life..Alot of GM workers do not sit on their butts . You people don't know how hard a lot of the jobs are. That why they were paid a good salary to make the best product they could make. If you eliminate the labor force of car manufactors; all you have is foreign vehicles here where alot of the profit goes back oversea's.

[pixologic]

i support oversea companies because I'm not xenophobic.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@pixologic I support American companies because I prefer my money to stay here, not go to some other country to help them grow and prosper. I want my money, that I earn, to stay here as much as is possible. The money that I earn is paid to me, indirectly, from other Americans. I want them to work, so I buy other American's products. This allows the American economy to grow and for Americans to prosper. Standard of living rises, pay increases, economy grows, all benefits of buying American.

[mantis47354]

The damn union whines and cries over the the foreign cars coming here. If they stop and look back, remember the Ford Courier, Chevy Luv truck and that small truck that Dodge had back in the early 70's? All 3 imported and all 3 built in Japan. GM, Ford and Chrysler sit back and cry and they're the ones that started it. If I ever bought a new car or truck, it wouldnt be built by some union-puke!

[mateo134]

Absolutely Asinine. The figure does not measure how much workers earn, but how much labor costs domestic and foreign auto companies. The point is Toyota does not have all those additional retiree costs and as a result Toyota can sell the same product for less or a better product for same. I blame management still, but rather for not bargaining harder with unions earlier. The CEO's only wanted to keep production going for short-term results and the shareholders should pay for electing them.

[Uwiluz60]

Very good comment..Well said...They don't deserve our tax dollars to bail them out..Its Capitalism...your mistakes, your problems...No one would bail my business out...And I don't expect anyone to..

[mantis47354]

Toyota can sell a better quality vehicle because those workers take alot of pride in what they build. Those workers are happy with the wages they're making and the benefits they earn. And the union has management and the company by the balls.

[sjohnson79]

Take a look at the latest quality ratings, Ford is now equal to Toyota in quality. Toyota keeps their wages higher so the employees won't lobby for a union which they don't have. Most people in big three (including me) take pride in what they build, just like Toyota. But you will always have a few who don't, no matter what they make or what company they work for. Toyota had millions of recalls last year, just like other companies.

[ColdFusionMk1]

@mantis47354 Ever talk to a Toyota Worker? Research how Toyota treats its workers back at home. Also look into how Toyota's domestic (Japanese) suppliers treat their workers. It is pretty bad. Also research Toyota's "Five Year Plan" to reduce worker's pay here in the U.S. The only reason they make as much as they do here right now is because Toyota does not want their employees to unionize and bargain in one voice. They like negotiating wages and benefits three-on-one (management to worker).

[daniel32nicolosi]

Wow 28 bucks an hour when most of Americans only make 5 to 6 bucks an hour. This is a fuckin joke. Obama is a joke and Keith you are a pathetic loser. I wish I had 28 bucks an hour to sit on my ass and do nothing like these fucktards do at GM. They should go out of business because they build shitty ass fuckin products. Garbage in garbage out. Unions do nothing but destroy companies. Capitalism is the only thing that survives. Learn it OBAMA. Dam idiot.

[dawgnpony]

daniel32nicolos stated, "Wow 28 bucks an hour when most of Americans only make 5 to 6 bucks an hour." The federal minimum wage as of July 24, 2008, is $6.55. The average starting wage for an autoworker is $14.00 and it takes 20 years to reach the top tier of $26.00. Now compare that to the GM CEO Rick Wagner who last year received $14,400,000 in salary and bonuses. Ford's CEO Alan Mulally received $21.7 million and Chrysler does not disclose executive pay. source: money cnn com.

[tommysil]

Another example of republicans cooking the books to make it look the way they want it too. How many small business owners in your area are there that are crying about barely making a profit? Well after skimming profits as much as they do(10% average), they ARE barely making it on the books and balance sheets. But those same people are still buying espensive electronics and cars. IRS needs to audit more!!! That money is coming from somewhere... Wake up and demand class equality!!!

[dawgnpony]

Anyone that watched Countdown on Dec 12, is aware of the Republican Action Alert which was sent to GOP Senators by Republican lobbyists prior to the House voting for the loan. It stated, "This is the Democrats first opportunity to pay off organized labor after the election . . . a precursor to card check and other items, said the memo. Republicans should stand firm and take their first shot against organized labor, instead of taking their first blow from it." This memo should be front page news.

[chocomeerkat]

Maybe instead of being jealous of unionized workers and trying to bring them down to your level of misery you should put that energy into getting higher wages and better working conditions for yourself.

[mwhittamw01]

The true hourly wage of the uaw's ACTIVE workers is almost the same as the non-american manufactures, uaw is paying for more retired people and their benefits because they have been employing people for going on a hundred years, 50 years from now the foreigners would be paying the same

[JSMcCainRocks]

You know the UAW promoted and voted in high numbers for Obama and the Democrats believe in amnesty for 12 million illegal aliens.

I say the Big 3 files for bankruptcy and when the illegal aliens get amnesty the Big 3 can hire the illegals for $10 dollars an hour.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

P.S. Maybe the UAW can get involved in gay marriage and abortion.

[bob1bob2bobbob]

MY RN Wife don't make $38/hr you rich twitt-I hate the unions

[johngmcgowan]

We can't help what your wife makes or doesn't make. Do you want this economy to be in the whole for the next 20 years.

[bob1bob2bobbob]

actually i want it in the whole, not the hole, if you fail-you fail sry, not if you fail-whine, and you'll get a big cookie, my buisness is suffering want to bail me out? I'll take your money

[ColdFusionMk1]

@bob1bob2bobbob Maybe she should help organize her workplace. I hear the nurse's union is pretty decent. I hear they negotiate good contracts that benefit the workers and pretty well.

[TFD4208]

Damn, making $28 an hour and still bitching

[johngmcgowan]

People in Japan and China etc.. are loyal and have honor to their country and workers. Thats why they buy what their people manufacture. Americans need to start buying as many American cars and products as we can. The reality of not buying American has finally bit us in the ass and it will continue to get worse. Chrysler, Ford and GM make good products. I'm tired of this myth, that American cars are bad. I have a 2006 Chrysler Town & Country and I think it's great!!!

[nightfrog65]

In order to rid themselves of the UAW, the big 3 needs to go bankrupt, dissolve all contract responsibilities to the union, and replace the workforce with non-union labor. Perhaps they could then remain competitive with Honda and Toyota. Unions have out-lived their usefulness.

[mwhittamw01]

Unions have not outlived their usefulness they've just been castrated by gutless assholes like you. Are we to keep giving and giving until the standard of living is so low that the damned mexicans don't even bother coming up here?

[johngmcgowan]

You are absolutely correct. Anyone who disagrees with getting paid a good wage and Health care, needs to get the hell out of The United States and move to Mexico, China etc...

I consider those kinds of people to be anti-American and ignorant.

[pixologic]

Agreed, it's Americn to be fat, lazy and ignorant.

[pixologic]

If "mexicans don't even bother coming up here", then it shows we have achieved true equality.

[mantis47354]

The unions had their time and place but now there are so many laws regarding work regulations. The unions only care about themselves and no one else. Union members look down their noses at anyone that is'nt in their ranks as a union member. I've never been in one, never will be in one. I dont like them and never will. If and when I decide to buy a new car or truck, it will be something not built by a union-puke!

[johngmcgowan]

No, what we need to do is help Chrysler, GM and Ford and stop giving these huge tax breaks

to these foreign car companies in the south and fix the God Damn trade policies that have destroyed this country. Bob Corker, Mitch McConnell, Richard Shelby and David Vitter (Republicans of course) are out to destroy the UAW and the whole damn country. These guys and anyone who agrees with them are FOOLS!!!!!

[ColdFusionMk1]

@nightfrog65 Unions help protect the laws and safeguards that all workers enjoy today. We help promote new laws that further enhance the protections that are needed in today's economic climate. We protect wages and reduce wage disparity between races and sexes in workplace by enforcing classification specific pay (same work, same pay) in our contracts. We promote equal rights (e.g. MLK having an office in Solidarity House). These are only a few examples.

[johngmcgowan]

The UAW is trying to boost wages for the entire country. Any common man who doesn't agree with this is destroying all labor in this country and is a fool!!! Why don't you go to Mexico, Taiwan or China and get a job for peasant wages. On top of that, our own government is responsible for these lousy trade policies. Our politicians who made these trade deals over the past 30 years are the idiots who put us in the current situation with GM, Chrysler and Ford.

[littlegoodie2shoes]

The bottom line is NAFTA was enacted in 1993 by the New World Order to destroy American manufacturing, demoralize the American work force and reduce American prestige. One can not compete with a 50 cent an hour wage, no union protection, environmental protection, OSHA, etc. NWO has entwined itself in every facet of our corrupt political system.

[johngmcgowan]

I totally agree, NAFTA is the number one problem. I thought it was ridiculous for the CEO's of Chrysler, Ford and GM to be on the hot seat. The congressman and senators are the ones that have screwed us with these god damn trade policies. Unless our stupid politicians realize this, we are all doomed in this country. What a damn shame.

[phildog67]

The real staggering figure to think about is that the asian transplants down south pay $35 an hour. Why arent their vehicles anywhere that much less expensive and where does all that profit go? BACK TO THEIR OWN COUNTRIES THAT ALSO PAY THEIR WORKERS GOVERNMENT SOCIALIZED HEALTHCARE.

[phildog67]

That $35 an hour is with benefits and they dont have any Legacy cost, But things will even up a bit when we get the EFCA & Healthcare Reform

[foryasoul]

you just mad because u wish u had a uaw job u dam hater!!

[littlegoodie2shoes]

28 dollars an hour and all the bennies, which actually equates to 38 an hour. With a HS education at best. I wouldn't of had to beat my way through the military and 4 years of college. Too bad my daddy wasn't an UAW worker, what an easy life it would of been. That's a 15 dollar an hour job "at the most" and they should enjoy all the benefits "We the People" get. Cut their pay 40% and give them the standard benefit package. If they don't like it-there's plenty of unemployed that would love it.

[foryasoul]

u just mad because u dont work there u dam hater

[littlegoodie2shoes]

Look it's foryasoul another HS drop out making too much money-Ignorant piece of stupid uneducated "fecal matter".

[foryasoul]

look here asshole buy where u live at! take your ass to japan to live if you wanna keep them rich oops

[littlegoodie2shoes]

I am in Japan you HS drop out stupid pile of crap-I hope all you lazy fucks lose your over paid jobs

[nancy3681]

All this hoopla over money for the automakers! The combined money they receive is less than the 40Bil given in bonuses to the banks, wall street and Aig! Search it and see!

[Eagledaletiger]

for the fools who do manual labor for a living . where do you think your wages will go when the UAW is gone. every thing is related.

[UAWBuyAmerican]

WOW! Lets continue to kick us when we are down. I am contantly surprised at the working people in the US that want to beat up on those of us working in the Automotive sector of the UAW. We have been called everything from lazy, overpaid, underworked, drunks, thugs, etc.. What a harsh determination of a whole group of people.

Truck Drivers are NOT ALLOwED to Leave the Dock area and if they are doing so are violating Company policy. To claim they are deep in the plants is crap.

[johngmcgowan]

I agree, Americans putting Americans down for trying to make a good wage is Anti-American. Also just plain ignorance.

[CptNut]

That's funny... because there are a lot of people (ie News Media and Politicians) putting down Americans in the Pharmacutical industry, Oil and Gas industry and Healthcare industry for trying to do the same thing... making a good wage. Politicians aren't stupid, Divide and Conquer... as long as they don't mess with your slice of the pie, no one complains when the guy next to them gets screwed over.

[sueishere25]

UAW I'm sure that you're a hard worker but I have a brother-in-law that drives a tow motor for Ford. I'm not sure what he does exactly but he brags that he is able to go home for most of his shift and comes back later to clock out. He and a couple other workers take turns doing this and they watch out for each other. If someone were to question their where abouts they call and of course the "worker" would go back. Now he loves to brag about this to his family and in laws.

[62343305]

Yes, I'm jealous of the pay and allowances for the UAW workers. Yes, I will not buy an auto built by the UAW workforce. I'm an X Teamster who doesn't believe two people are required to sit watching a paint robot. One would be enough if he/she/it would get off their ass and walk around to observe the other side occasionally. Get'm Mikie.

[2bighemis]

Bottom line, All americans had the same opportunity to get an auto job, all I did was signed up at the local career center. Viola', I had a job, and one that paid well. If you dont apply for a job that makes more than $10/hr, thats your own damn fault. Here's a challenge, Go to your local career center or unemployment office, or even craigslist, put together a nice resume, and turn it in to every job out there paying more than you make now. If you dont care about a raise, then dont bother.

[mantis47354]

As a former trucker, I've been in the auto plants for all three companies. Those union workers are arrogant, snobbish, self centered and look down on anyone that's not a union worker. A forklift driver told me he made over $70,000 the prior year. No damn wonder I could'nt afford a new car. If I ever can, it'll be a Honda, Toyota or a Mitsubishi.

[62343305]

I agree. Seen to many UAW workers sitting around watching robots do their tasks (2 for each robot sprayer). Sure I'm jealous and for sure I will not buy a UAW built auto, truck, or tricycle. Git'm Mikie

[ran1sxs]

Wow Keith is so right and honest. Without assembly lines we could not have made the tanks and jeeps and aircraft to beat Hitler. Without assembly lines we stand no chance to beat China and Russia in 2012. Good luck to all your daughters if the lines dissappear. Can you say "working the street"?

[mgordon503]

The people have been spoiled for so long with thier LAZY jobs and being OVERPAID, that they can't relate to Average Joe & Jane only making $8 or $9/hour.

And then they expect US to feel sorry for them when they lose their job. If the laborers would take a $10/hour pay-cut, and the execs would only accept about 1/10 of their salary/bonuses (which would still be probably $100,000 or more) then domestic cars would be affordable & the "Big 3" wouldn't need to be bailed out with OUR money.

[2bighemis]

Again, you are clueless, you really think they would lower the price of a car because anyone took a cut in pay??????? Im sorry I applied for a job making more than $10/hr, next time I'll think twice and let someone else have it. Im not asking for anyone to feel sorry for me, your tax's dont pay my wages. You could have got my job just as easily as I did.

[mgordon503]

Oh, okay--they're only making $28/hour! That's still about 4 times or MORE what the waitress working down at the restaurant down the road makes, and I guarantee she works a hell of a lot harder than the Union auto working crybabies!

Let's not forget the outrageous overtime they make for working over 8 hr/day, or weekends, or holidays. Then they make double- or even TRIPLE-time.

I work at a manufacturing plant, and even though my company won't pay overtime anymore, we only make time & 1/2

[KGMadMan]

If you make 28 an hour with your fat stupid line-working ass you should be thankful you mooched this long while the rest of us had to deal with the real world where the average office worker makes less than that. Why these assholes think that because they build cars they have the stature of astronauts or soldiers is beyond me, they're greasy hobo's who are just trying to keep their little hooves wrapped around this sweet gig as long as possible.

[2bighemis]

Well, I was half nice to other posters comments but you can just kiss my fuckin ass.

[ibbiology]

Olbermann says it's absurd to count the expense of retirees toward the pay of autoworkers. He says it would be like counting the payment of Social Security to today's retirees in calculating the wages of today's workers. But, Social Security is funded from the pay of today's workers. So, every dollar paid out in Social Security is taken from money paid to workers.

Olbermann simply proved that autoworkers effectively do cost $70/hour. Labor costs automakers about $70/hour of actual work done.

[tooomp]

ibbiology- The point he is making is that the workers are not making $70/hr. as reported. The cost is around $70/hr., you just have to realize that the industry supports an excessive amount of retirees, due to the perpetual downsizing. Downsizing, due to longer lasting vehicles, improved production efficiencies, and foreign competition.

[watcherFA]

The key economic issue in the bailout is not whether or not the Detroit automakers have overpaid employees. The key issue is that Detroit automakers sell a product consumers do not want.

If they stopped selling overpriced gas-guzzlers and started selling alternative energy vehicles, consumers would snap them up, even in the present economy. Everyone knows gasoline isn't going to stay at $1.50 a gallon.

[soccerdadonu]

Consumers don't want big vehicles RIGHT maybe thats why the best selling are the Chevy Tk and the Ford F150

[tooomp]

WatcherFA- They make more money on the gas-guzzlers. They need to sell about 3 times the number of small cars to make the same money. The real problem now is the financial crisis, keep in mind Toyota and Honda are laying off too. Don't get me wrong, I think, is not a cash infushion, but a consumer stimulus in the form of either loan guarantees or rebates industry wide.

[Stash186]

BK ASAP

[illus5]

See the video "Who killed the electric car" and see why the big 3 have not been competitive. Those decision are made my management....not the workers!

[illus5]

Do we see the CEO's giving up wages? Not until they are shamed into it! The average salary of ONE person the CEO's has jumped over 400% and I don't hear anyone screaming about it! I don't hear anyone saying what they make a minute let alone an hour.

[illus5]

People don't know the truth and will only believe the clueless. What Olbermann said is true the unions have given concessions and will give more. My husband worked for a supplier and they gave back several time to keep the company afloat.  They were down to $12.00 and hour when they still closed the doors. Then they bailed out on the retiree health care before it even got to be administered by the union. Now they are waiting for the other shoe to drop regarding the pension plan.

[JimmyJackJohnnyJose]

Members of Congress last month criticized the automakers for paying workers who are not on the job.

[fiddo223]

They still make much more than American workers at Toyota, Volkswagen, etc. This scumbag in-the -bag Keith O did not even bother to mention this.

[smadonna]

Thank God Obama is a grown-up, unlike his media supporters.

[Atoyota]

$28 bucks an hour is still pretty good cash for guys that oversee a production line.

I live in one of the most costly regions in the USA and make $20 per hour (union). I'm all for Unions, but Auto worker Unions are Unions gone wild.

Still the Management is also to blame, everyone is... You need two hands to point all the fingers, not just one finger.

[JimmyJackJohnnyJose]

The public scorn another wasteful bailout. But UNION WORKERS WILL LOSE THEIR JOBS without the bailout.

Looks like the democrats will fail in saving the UNION workers their jobs. The UNION always supported the democrats-now the UNION gets the SHAFT from the democrats.

[J13WD40]

$28 with health benefits and pension? no wonder GM is going bankrupt. hey keith, what would be fair, $100 an hour! get real

[burrcorley]

Right on Keith! I'm sick of phony journalists like Sorkin.

[peejaa]

This Keith guy is a fucking moron!

[johngmcgowan]

Why, you can't admit the truth. Our trade policies have destroyed us. We can never compete with 3rd world country wages. If auto workers and manufacturing workers continue to decline, everyones wages will decline.

[pixologic]

Only by draggin the rich down, can global economic equality be achieved.