Stellantis and Jeep facing UAW strike.

[biodiesel]

That says more about problems with the national median income. And I was replying to your example of not paying food workers $15/hr.

The minimum wage hasn't been updated since 2010, if the wage was adjusted for inflation and to stay proportional to productivity, it would be $21.45 as of 2020.

Keep in mind that increasing salaries/wages also increases inflation. "Consumers have more spending power with a higher money supply so the demand for goods increases. An increase in demand then increases the price of goods in the broader market. Companies charge more for their goods to pay higher wages and the higher wages also increase the price of goods in the broader market."

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[Sweetums]

So what I'm hearing is that a growth-dependent economy that relies on inflation and an increasing population as a measure of health is unsustainable.

Yeah, I agree. This is why it will eventually be necessary to raise the minimum and also restructure the top end of earning for individuals and companies. We're going to have to eventually, the human population can't keep growing forever.

Fun fact, inflation is necessary based on our economic structure. It's what causes people to buy today rather than wait - because it will be more expensive tomorrow. It's also necessary for the US Treasury Bonds to work as intended. Flat inflation or even deflation is good for the vast majority of consumers. Low unemployment and a strong dollar is good for the vast majority of consumers - but that's not what's good for the Treasury because of how the system is structured. The Fed is looking for a certain amount of unemployment to keep labor costs down; when they talk about "cooling inflation" and a "soft landing for the economy" that means increasing unemployment to depress wages. Likewise with the value of the dollar. A strong dollar means Americans have more spending power abroad, but it also means foreign currency doesn't go as far, limiting travel to the US and who can afford our exports.

The entire system is a constantly shifting house of cards, and no one wants to talk about how public policies are not always in the public's interest. All these layoffs at Stellantis are a part of the system to slow inflation (aka lower wages).

 

[biodiesel]

IThat's were tariffs help American workers, the US, Mexico, Canada agreement negotiated by the previous administration was a start down the right path, requiring Mexico to raise the pay of it's employees.

Bingo. Too bad the union votes the other way.

 

[biodiesel]

Having been a union member working for union employers almost 40 years now I can say one thing for certain, no one wins in a strike. I've been a steward most of my years as a member, negotiating committee and even a trustee on a local executive board for 9 years so I have seen how the sausage is made.

Maybe you can shed some light on the morale in Mexico being higher. My buddy said the workers in Mexico loved the 'compensation plan'. What does that mean?

 

[Unbreakable]

Maybe you can shed some light on the morale in Mexico being higher. My buddy said the workers in Mexico loved the 'compensation plan'. What does that mean?

Of course they love it, the agreement requires US companies operating in Mexico to pay there employees more!!! This helps level the playing field for American workers and helps Mexican workers. Brought to you by the "most anti-union" president ever if you listen to union leadership.

 

[Unbreakable]

Keep in mind that increasing salaries/wages also increases inflation. "Consumers have more spending power with a higher money supply so the demand for goods increases. An increase in demand then increases the price of goods in the broader market. Companies charge more for their goods to pay higher wages and the higher wages also increase the price of goods in the broader market."

Not entirely correct, this assumes a static supply. If you remove barriers and allow robust competition with a increasing supply prices can actually go down.

 

[gonemad]

$1.65 minimum wage I was paid flipping burgers and working at the car wash in 1972 is worth $12 and change today, according to the Googles.

 

[Sweetums]

The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Remember, Minimum Wage is called that not just because it's the minimum you can legally pay, that number was originally set because it was the minimum you needed to be able to live. This is why people talk about needing a living wage; it's way too easy to just do the mandated minimum when it hasn't been updated in over a decade.

 

[biodiesel]

Of course they love it, the agreement requires US companies operating in Mexico to pay there employees more!!! This helps level the playing field for American workers and helps Mexican workers. Brought to you by the "most anti-union" president ever if you listen to union leadership.

That's very interesting. Thanks for the explanation. Historically, Carlos Tavares has a reputation for sending jobs to cheaper labor markets. The union might want to think twice before they go on strike. Travares has no issue closing down a plant if he feels it will make Stellantis more profitable.

 

[Sweetums]

That would be a mistake since the UAW is at multiple plants. They could expand their strike and cripple Stellantis long before the company could spin up a new assembly plant with a trained workforce.

 

[jwolfejt]

The federal minimum wage is $7.25.

Remember, Minimum Wage is called that not just because it's the minimum you can legally pay, that number was originally set because it was the minimum you needed to be able to live. This is why people talk about needing a living wage; it's way too easy to just do the mandated minimum when it hasn't been updated in over a decade.

No - the federal government mandated that because shitbags were not wanting to pay people - or if it didn't exist they would pay people in loose tree leaves or whatever garbage they have. Also the income tax was only meant to be in place to pay for the war effort (WWII) and has never went away. The minimum wage has not been bumped because of corporate welfare/lobbying - they literally own all the powerful politicians and no matter how much you cry - they aren't going to do anything about it.

 

[jwolfejt]

That would be a mistake since the UAW is at multiple plants. They could expand their strike and cripple Stellantis long before the company could spin up a new assembly plant with a trained workforce.

If this happens -

Stellantis will sign some deal with the UAW to get back going ...

they shift production for the WL to other countries

shift production for Wranglers and Gladiator to Mexico or elsewhere (maybe Canada)

Close down U.S. production. They have some collective bargaining yes - but ultimately Stellantis holds the power and they have shown they do not care. There used to be over 1million UAW/Auto workersin the u.s. - the greed and influx of higher quality/more efficient smaller vehicles from overseas really did a number on our Auto Industry.

If you think its bad now - i couldn't imagine what it would be like if BYD was allowed to sell here without restrictions - they would tank not only u.s. automakers but the Japanese brands as well.

 

[Dickster]

That says more about problems with the national median income. And I was replying to your example of not paying food workers $15/hr.

The minimum wage hasn't been updated since 2010, if the wage was adjusted for inflation and to stay proportional to productivity, it would be $21.45 as of 2020.

Workers are producing more than ever and being paid less for it.

You can argue it being a livable wage or not and everyone will turn red and no one wins. What most people don't argue is the min wage was set off of median house hold income and it was set to 50% back then. I believe min wage is actually close to that now....


If you don't like min wage then don't work it. Bring something to the table and make yourself valued more. It's called WORK for a reason do a task and get paid, DOES NOT mean show up barely do a job and demand top dollar. I've never been to college and never had the mind set someone owes me anything in life. There is nothing EVER saying everyone needs to make a livable wage.

Inflation no one accounts for and most time it happens so fast wages will never catch up. Not just min wage but all across the board. Inflation most time is temporary and is definitely based of the economy but ot raise min wage to combat inflation is the worst idea.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

Having been a union member working for union employers almost 40 years now I can say one thing for certain, no one wins in a strike. I've been a steward most of my years as a member, negotiating committee and even a trustee on a local executive board for 9 years so I have seen how the sausage is made. I see unions as being flawed but necessary but what I think members loose sight of is a company needs to be profitable to pay good wages. You will hear members going on about how the CEO makes big money, 40 mil in the case of Stellantis and they are not wrong but even if you took all of his salary and distributed it to the 80k employees they would all get $500. I don't want to get to political as I know it is frowned upon but it is unfair to expect US employees to compete with workers in foreign countries that go home to shanties with dirt floors. That's were tariffs help American workers, the US, Mexico, Canada agreement negotiated by the previous administration was a start down the right path, requiring Mexico to raise the pay of it's employees. I have always believed that US workers can compete and win given a level playing field that's why I support fair trade not free trade. Use tariffs on goods to discourage companies from making products in areas with slave wages and no environmental safeguards.

CEO pay packages are ridiculous. Boeing, Stellantis, they make tens of millions and make bonehead decisions, yet suffer no consequences.

That needs to change.

I have no problem with a CEO making a ton of money, but there needs to be a balance, otherwise the workmanship falls, quality collapses, and workers, stock holders, and buyers end up with a crap product.

 

[Dickster]

CEO pay packages are ridiculous. Boeing, Stellantis, they make tens of millions and make bonehead decisions, yet suffer no consequences.

That needs to change.

I have no problem with a CEO making a ton of money, but there needs to be a balance, otherwise the workmanship falls, quality collapses, and workers, stock holders, and buyers end up with a crap product.

Most CEO wages are based off stock shares...... when the company is doing awesome they do ad well. No one talks about their wage when shares are not worth crap.

Want CEO wages go be one absolutely no one will try to stop you. 90% of the United States don't want to give up the life style or the demand it take to get to that level.

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