Caboose Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 From what I've read here, unions are much different in the States, lol...We have some very strong unions here! The RMT (Rail Maritime Transport) workers union is one that I might join, but as with a lot of people, I'm used to fighting my own battles and am not sure paying £13 per month would be worth my while, afterall, they fight for a pay rise and everybody gets it...so where's the point? (I know there's more to a union that increased wages, but you get the idea?). Way I see it is that if something isn't legal you can fight it, lol...We are talking about the same unions aren't we? There was a time here in the states (1920-30) when unions were really needed. since that time state and federal laws have been passed to protect workers rights. Here we have states with closed union rules, where everyone must join the union if you want to work. We also have some states with right to work laws in which you don't have to join the unions. Companies looking for places to build new plants don't like states where unions are forced on them. Yet they still pay comparable salaries. The United Auto Workers, in America has almost driven the auto industry into bankruptcy. It's constant demands for more money and bennis, have forced the America car into a price range which makes those cars impractical to own. Their hiring practices, force auto makers to employ family and friends and high school grads. With all their power I have yet seen one who demands extra training which would allow employees to advance in life. Keep you base stupid. I have worked with union people all my life, but I was always in the category of "skilled trades" Skilled People aren't required to join the union. Unions don't want members who can think for themselves. At the same time we have companies here in the states which don't require unions. Honda and Toyota both build cars here and are operating on a profit basis. They pay their employees excellent salaries based on the local economy. They can build cars with quality instead of having to cut every corner just to meet union demands. Their workers are very happy. They have continuously voted to keep unions out of their plants. They have retirement and medical, which are controlled by the car company and employee committees, not the union. Unions here have become a tremendous source of graft and corruption, in both crime and politics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite_Deforce Posted November 7, 2007 Report Share Posted November 7, 2007 Just what opinion would that be, Mr. Elite? Well, the way I figure, if Chrysler (in the state it's in) feels that they have to let go of some of their worst cars even (minus the magnum), then why would they have to give up 12,000 people in the process? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Well, the way I figure, if Chrysler (in the state it's in) feels that they have to let go of some of their worst cars even (minus the magnum), then why would they have to give up 12,000 people in the process? That is a great question Elite. The Magnum was a try to bring back the Station Wagon. Not everybody wants 500Hp at these gas prices, and it couldn't compete with the Suv. Couple that with all the Dodges they sold at a too low bid price for police cars, and they are out of funds to retool for another vehicle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elite_Deforce Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 That is a great question Elite. The Magnum was a try to bring back the Station Wagon. Not everybody wants 500Hp at these gas prices, and it couldn't compete with the Suv. Yes, but the actual car aside, think of the sales. The magnum was a great seller! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Yes, but the actual car aside, think of the sales. The magnum was a great seller! I am not sure it sold all that well. You can drive around here all day and only see 2 or 3, Challengers appear to be on every corner. According to the star, it looks like Canada's plants will miss the job cuts. They may start building "gasp" Volkswagens. http://www.thestar.com/article/268411 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goin2Slow Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 I am not sure it sold all that well. You can drive around here all day and only see 2 or 3, Challengers appear to be on every corner. I think you mean Charger. the Challenger isn't due out til late next year.... unless you Okies are special and pulled some strings with (Texas based) Cerberus..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 I think you mean Charger. the Challenger isn't due out til late next year.... unless you Okies are special and pulled some strings with (Texas based) Cerberus..... You may be right. I just recovered from a stroke, and not everything is back yet. lol Being old sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted November 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Sorry to hear that mate. I guess in hindsight you must be wondering about this sought of lifestyle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 8, 2007 Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 Sorry to hear that mate. I guess in hindsight you must be wondering about this sought of lifestyle: Never sick a day in my life mate, until I turned 59 years of age. Then everything started to happen. It's that old Agent Orange thing. Of all the diseases it causes, I have 4. I would gladly eat lard pie if I could go back 20 years. Got to go back around the 19th get some cancer removed. They took out a kidney 4 years ago, and the doc says it looks like it's trying to grow back. The stroke was what's called a TIA. Only lasted 14 hours, and only affected my speech. Scary as hell, but no permanent damage. Because of it they found the cancer had returned, so I am really lucky. I seem to be having all of these major problems, and a couple of weeks later I'm just fine. I guess the good Lord really watches over us fools. All the nurses say, they going to name a wing at the hospital after me. lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Posted November 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted November 8, 2007 I know your time in Vietnam has had a big influence on your life, it seems very unfair that you had to put up with rigours of a dirty war plus the ongoing legacy of systemic chemical poisioning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 9, 2007 Report Share Posted November 9, 2007 I know your time in Vietnam has had a big influence on your life, it seems very unfair that you had to put up with rigours of a dirty war plus the ongoing legacy of systemic chemical poisioning. I wouldn't change a thing, mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted November 11, 2007 Report Share Posted November 11, 2007 Sorry to hear about your troubles matey....Life has a habit of springing these things on good people! Good to hear your back to reasonable health again though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 12, 2007 Report Share Posted November 12, 2007 Sorry to hear about your troubles matey....Life has a habit of springing these things on good people! Good to hear your back to reasonable health again though! Thanks Cliffy. As long as I sit down I feel just like I did when I was 40 years old. It's when I walk or try to do something life really sucks. I hate retirement. It's the worst thing thing that can happen to a bloke. With all the medical problems I have had, I don't feel sick. I know guys who are miserable and hurt every minute of the day. It seems like I have to go to the doctor to find out how sick I am. lol I had a great life. Four wonderful successful kids. There are Eighty-three Water and Waste water plants across the country that have control systems and Data Acquisition Systems, I designed and installed. There are 104 Laboratories that I designed and built, and are still being run by the procedures I set up. I spent seven years in manufacturing designing robotics and CNC machines. I helped design build and test equipment that went to the moon and back on the Apollo program. I helped program and test the first General Motor's ECU. I spent 3 years in the Marines and five years in the Air Force. It's been a good life, but God I miss my work. I spend most of my time now, bothering Politicians and you guys. My only regret in life, is that when I die, Cliffy will probably still be a CF mod. Sorry about the thread jack Wally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted November 13, 2007 Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 Thanks Cliffy. As long as I sit down I feel just like I did when I was 40 years old. It's when I walk or try to do something life really sucks. I hate retirement. It's the worst thing thing that can happen to a bloke. With all the medical problems I have had, I don't feel sick. I know guys who are miserable and hurt every minute of the day. It seems like I have to go to the doctor to find out how sick I am. lol I had a great life. Four wonderful successful kids. There are Eighty-three Water and Waste water plants across the country that have control systems and Data Acquisition Systems, I designed and installed. There are 104 Laboratories that I designed and built, and are still being run by the procedures I set up. I spent seven years in manufacturing designing robotics and CNC machines. I helped design build and test equipment that went to the moon and back on the Apollo program. I helped program and test the first General Motor's ECU. I spent 3 years in the Marines and five years in the Air Force. It's been a good life, but God I miss my work. I spend most of my time now, bothering Politicians and you guys. My only regret in life, is that when I die, Cliffy will probably still be a CF mod. Sorry about the thread jack Wally. See, you've had a good innings! You might outlive me yet old man, lol...afterall, I do have man-flu at present, lol....And yes, I will always be a CF Mod....I've been head hunted don't ya know! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboose Posted November 13, 2007 Report Share Posted November 13, 2007 See, you've had a good innings! You might outlive me yet old man, lol...afterall, I do have man-flu at present, lol....And yes, I will always be a CF Mod....I've been head hunted don't ya know! I have seen your head over in the picture thread. OH MY GOD. . . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.