by Tina Grazier
Claiming to be nonadversarial and then taking a threatening pose is no way to begin. It shows an extreme disconnect from the dire situation and lessons of Detroit, a dying city, where car companies failed, in part, because the union intimidated and extorted companies into a bankrupt state.
“UAW Renews Efforts in the South,” by Tom Krisher, AP – The Tennessean
DETROIT — The United Auto Workers union is positioning itself as a car company partner rather than an adversary as it renews a campaign to sign up workers at U.S. plants owned by foreign-based car companies.
Yet Bob King, the union’s president, said it will play tough with Toyota, Honda, BMW, Hyundai and others if they don’t agree to secret ballot election principles that the union is backing. Companies that don’t sign on to the principles will be labeled as human rights violators, King told an industry group Wednesday.
The secret ballot has been a stable in America, ensuring privacy and freedom for every individual. Secret ballots must continue to be honored.
Labeling has been part and parcel of an unscrupulous strategy to demonize and extort. This strategy lacks all sense of honesty and decency that is vital in our society, as well as in business negotiations, if America is going to move forward and survive.
Car companies and car employees should reject these demands by the UAW and insist on an approach that exhibits respect for employees and employers. The UAW, to be taken seriously, must display a willingness to negotiate honestly and with sensible concern for the viability of the company as a means to ensure and support job security for employees.