Replying to a message of PETER COGGON to ALL:

 PC> Hello all ....

 PC>   When I heard finally they were bailing out the Big 3
 PC> automobile manufacturers, I wondered if these prima donnas
 PC> the workers and their union are going to take a pay cut?

 PC> Doubt it, as they get their $ 70/hour and all perks, and
 PC> keep me buying the Japanese imports which didn't need
 PC> a bailout.

They may.  Apparently dealers are refusing deliveries of imports - mostly
from Japan - and the cars are sitting on the docks on the US West Coast.
FWIW I don't think the UAW members are getting anywhere near $70/hr,
most likely about half that (which is still more than double the highest wage
I ever earned - and that's why I can't seem to generate much sympathy for
them).

I think that the cost of the non-cash 'fringe benefits' is included in that number,
and that may also include the benefits paid to retired UAW members and their
families.  I do know that about $1300 of the price of every GM car and truck
goes to pay for health benefits for the workers, retirees and their families.

 PC>   What really happened is that the Big 3 were going to
 PC> declare bankrupcy and that meant the Union contracts
 PC> were out the window, which might help in re-structuring
 PC> but the donwside here would have been 1 million plus outta
 PC> a job, as well in Michigan...everyone  1 million plus
 PC> outta a job.

That isn't a problem unless you're one of them.  I think you're correct about the
bankruptcy, though, and IMO the governments' actions are only going to delay
the inevitable.

 PC>   So now the taxpayers are paying again...only another 
 PC> top heavy ..over paid union.

Not all unions are - but the ones that get the publicity seem to 
be.

--- FleetStreet 1.19+