4 ms·

Cost is the main driver here. I am lefty, but I agree the unions are a little out of control. I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building car

by jgervin 15y ago

Cost is the main driver here. I am lefty, but I agree the unions are a little out of control. I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building cars should not be making $125k per year (source was a series on TV, think 60 minutes where they talked to some of those workers). I am glad unions are there to help make sure people are not overworked and have benefits, but come on guys. You shot yourself in the foot there.

richieb 15y ago
Why not? That kind of job is boring and repetitive. You would not do it, would you?
Caballera 15y ago
Not only salaries, but also benefits. I think Health Care Insurance (that the company provides)is often overlooked. American Health Care cost for businesses has increased a ton over the last few decades.
- functionoid 15y ago
  This comment got down voted, it is not mine but it is legitimate point in the discussion. Looks like there are leftist out there doing this?
smacktoward 15y ago
> I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building cars should not be making $125k per year You should be pleased to learn then that they don't: * http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/business/economy/10leonhardt.html?_r=3&hp http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/business/economy/10leonhar... * http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/ http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/
- webXL 15y ago
  Fact-checking FactCheck.org: Let's assume that a union worker won't get an extra $15 per hour worked that current retirees are receiving. So take $15 off of their labor costs of $70 per hour (complexity through obfuscation). So that's $55 = VALUE of actual wages and benefits EARNED by WORKING 1 hour hours_worked_per_year = 52*40 = 2080 earnings_per_year = hours_worked_per_year * $55 = $114,400 So you're correct, according to FactCheck.org, it's not $125k per year. But the point is still valid when you account for benefits. If my employer gives me a new Ferrari each year as a benefit, no one would consider me underpaid if I made $10/hour doing secretarial work.

by jgervin 15y ago

richieb 15y ago

Why not? That kind of job is boring and repetitive. You would not do it, would you?

Caballera 15y ago

Not only salaries, but also benefits. I think Health Care Insurance (that the company provides)is often overlooked. American Health Care cost for businesses has increased a ton over the last few decades.

functionoid 15y ago
This comment got down voted, it is not mine but it is legitimate point in the discussion. Looks like there are leftist out there doing this?

smacktoward 15y ago

> I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building cars should not be making $125k per year You should be pleased to learn then that they don't: * http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/business/economy/10leonhardt.html?_r=3&hp http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/business/economy/10leonhar... * http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/ http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/

webXL 15y ago
Fact-checking FactCheck.org: Let's assume that a union worker won't get an extra $15 per hour worked that current retirees are receiving. So take $15 off of their labor costs of $70 per hour (complexity through obfuscation). So that's $55 = VALUE of actual wages and benefits EARNED by WORKING 1 hour hours_worked_per_year = 52*40 = 2080 earnings_per_year = hours_worked_per_year * $55 = $114,400 So you're correct, according to FactCheck.org, it's not $125k per year. But the point is still valid when you account for benefits. If my employer gives me a new Ferrari each year as a benefit, no one would consider me underpaid if I made $10/hour doing secretarial work.