Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
Sarah Karush / Associated Press
DETROIT - Workers angry over concessions that auto supplier Delphi Corp. is seeking protested Sunday outside the North American International Auto Show.
Waving American flags and carrying signs with slogans such as "United Against War on Workers" and "Stop Corporate Greed," the protesters provided a stark contrast to the luxurious displays of shiny vehicles inside.
The few hundred protesters, members of a United Auto Workers splinter group, Soldiers of Solidarity, said they were trying to draw attention to the situation faced by auto workers at a time of enormous changes in the industry.
Delphi filed for bankruptcy protection in October. The Troy-based company initially asked the UAW to lower workers' wages from $27 an hour to $9.50 to $10.50 an hour. The union rejected that proposal, and Delphi then raised its offer to $10 to $12.50. Last month, the union said it was withdrawing that proposal, which union officials said was still way too low.
A Delphi spokeswoman said the company had no comment on Sunday's protest. Delphi has said its offer is competitive with other union and nonunion auto suppliers.
Workers at U.S. auto companies are likely to face changes too. Delphi's former parent, General Motors Corp., has announced a restructuring plan that calls for 30,0000 job cuts and the closure of 12 facilities. Ford Motor Co. is to announce its restructuring plan later this month.
Stacey Kemp, a spokeswoman for Soldiers of Solidarity who works at a Delphi chassis plant in Saginaw, said she personally would not vote for any concessions. She said she believed the company was investing heavily overseas and should be taking care of American workers instead.
Kemp, who started at GM 28 years ago as a fourth-generation GM worker, said that if her wages were cut as drastically as Delphi wants that she would lose her home.
Ed Meyers, 59, who works at the Delphi steering gear plant in Saginaw, said most workers were "flexible" enough to agree to some concessions on benefits. But he said the company's demands were too much. He carried a sign that said, "Delphi, insult will get you nowhere."
Miguel Chavarria, a GM worker, said he did not believe the situation in the auto industry was as dire as the companies portray it.
"How can you be in financial dire straits when you're paying so much money to executives?" he said.
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RE: Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
Because they like their good paying jobs
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RE: Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
Yup, reality sucks.[&:]
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RE: Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
I agree 100%, everyone there is going to lose.......it's a "no-win" situation.......[&:]
Dusty
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RE: Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
Nick, you do realize even though they do cause a good amount of problems, Unions are what help keep large corporations atleast partially honest. Unions are why there are safety standards. You sound like FOX. Would you "shut the hell up" and take a $17/hr pay cut? Heck no you wouldn't, this is one of those instances where then union is a good thing because without it they would have cut their pay deeper than the 9.50 that was offered. The problem isn't the union, it's the execs making hundreds of thousands and some millions of dollars a year for driving their companies down.
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RE: Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
Quote:
ORIGINAL: X_Spearmint
Nick, you do realize even though they do cause a good amount of problems, Unions are what help keep large corporations atleast partially honest. Unions are why there are safety standards. You sound like FOX. Would you "shut the hell up" and take a $17/hr pay cut? Heck no you wouldn't, this is one of those instances where then union is a good thing because without it they would have cut their pay deeper than the 9.50 that was offered. The problem isn't the union, it's the execs making hundreds of thousands and some millions of dollars a year for driving their companies down.
yes thats true. they had a purpose, accomplished there goal, and now they are no longer necessary. it is a dead concept, there time is up, there purpose is already achieved. there are federal laws protecting workers rights now. no buddy using a stamping machine or screwing in parts deserve 27 dollars an hour. i have great respect for NWA for ignoring the union and those crazy ass aircraft mechanics who got 35 bucks an hour. no planes have gone down with the people who filled there position, therefore it is totally unnecessary to pay that much to workers because there is a union, when a non experienced person can do it just as well for 1/3 of the price. i mean come on any 18 year old high school drop out who love to work on a line making 10 bucks an hour.
this is not meant to offend anyone. you people work hard for your money, and i understand how they can be upset, but come on.
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Auto workers protest outside show over Delphi demands
