[Ducati] Strike at Harley (NDC)

Sat Feb 3 12:33:47 EST 2007

AMEN. And, it doesn't hurt that putting money in the hands of working class 
people who actually have to spend it to live benefits the economy.

bruce19
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kathleen Corgan" <kathis at mindspring.com>
To: "Ducati Owners Group" <ducati at ducati.net>
Sent: Saturday, February 03, 2007 12:01 PM
Subject: Re: [Ducati] Strike at Harley (NDC)

> 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.
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