[Ducati] Strike at Harley (NDC)

[Kathleen Corgan]

I'm with Mike on this one...

The trouble is, many poorly managed unions give all unions a bad  
rap.  But I've never understood why many working Joes think the idea  
of protecting workers' rights and quality of life is a bad one.

Don't forget that in many larger cities, $20/hr on a 40hr. workweek  
doesn't go a long way any more. It certainly doesn't put you on this  
mailing list unless you're heavily financed or are buying well-used  
(of course all that changes with the 1098, eh?)

With Harley Davidson, we have a relatively small company that netted  
almost 1 billion in 2005 whose Q4 2006 earnings were up 9.7%, who  
wants to REDUCE the established starting wage by more than 5%.  I  
wonder if H-D's CEOs are also reducing their salaries and benefit  
packages at the same level?

I do have some bias, as I belong to a film industry guild and we've  
experienced the tiered pay scale system for several years now.  I'm  
expected to perform a pretty high-pressure job at the same level  
whether I'm being paid the regular studio rate or 50% of that rate  
depending on the project.  The union agreed to it, with the thinking  
that they could organize more low budget projects and those trying to  
move up the ladder could get a shot, but unfortunately, once you're  
on the job, the producers expect the same level of work as when the  
rate is double what they're willing to pay.  During slower times,  
there are guys who have put 25 years in who are now expected to  
accept a 50% pay cut for working on the next potential "Little Miss  
Sunshine".  No regard for experience and knowledge of craft.  Not cool.

So I empathize with the Harley workers...I'm not about to judge the  
level of work they're expected to do for their $20/hr., but I doubt  
anyone working on their factory floor is retiring early these days.

Kath

Kath Corgan
kathis at mindspring.com
Hell's Kitchen, NYC
'03 999 Yellow Mono
STT/REDUC #199, NESBA #199


John wrote:

> I am a Hospital Administrator and pay about $300/mo toward health  
> insurance for my family, and we are self insured!
>
> These guys at Yorkville are a bunch of spoiled brats. I despise  
> unions - I used to be in one when I worked at Firestone in the  
> seventies. The union eventually caused the factory to close down,  
> eliminating about 3000 jobs in Memphis, TN. If management is doing  
> their job, there is no need for a bargaining unit.


On Feb 3, 2007, at 3:47EST, mike major wrote:

> "maybe I'm just dumb".  You said it and my first reaction was to  
> agree.  However, that would be rude and I have to assume that your  
> choice of motorcycles indicates some level of intelligence so I'll  
> let you know why I feel that all working people have a stake in  
> this kind of struggle.   It's the union shops that set the standard  
> for the rest of us in wages, health care, overtime pay, the 40 hour  
> week, paid vacations etc.  These things weren't handed to us by  
> benevolent employers but were fought for and are currently defended  
> by unions.  When unions win it raises the standards for all  
> workers, it's just that simple.  The "two-tiered" system is one of  
> the favorite union busting tactics currently in vogue and has been  
> agreed to as necessary for airlines and/or car companys that are  
> unable to compete effectively.  Harley is not in that boat, they  
> are a specialty company that can sell all the overpriced  
> motorcycles they can produce and at a healthy profit.  I personally  
> applaud
>  the older workers who are sticking up for the new hires, at  
> considerable risk to themselves, I feel they deserve our support  
> and admiration.   Moonbeam
>
>
> Scott Taylor <DucatiScott at comcast.net> wrote:
>   I live about 20 minutes from the plant and it's been big news  
> here the last
> two days. News reports put the current STARTING wage at $20/hr. The  
> new
> 'tier' Harley wanted to implement would have new hires starting at  
> $18 and
> change/hr. Maybe I'm just dumb, but $20/hr starting wage with(up to  
> now
> 100% paid for) healthcare.........I won't be crying for them any  
> time soon.