Employee Unions, who needs them anymore? 25th September, 07

Slave labour, underground coal mines, 3rd world exploitation…  I can see the value in employee unions there.  Where I don’t get it is at places like BC Hydro, Telus, Translink, Vancouver Municipal Workers, Teachers, etc.

Now, this isn’t that I don’t respect any of those places or their employees, it’s just that each of those organizations are respectable, and exist in a society and time where mistakes and disrespect get exposed and the repercussions are very real.

So, why is it we need these unions again?   Over the past few years we have seen a transit strike,  a teachers strike, telus strike, and currently a Vancouver Municipal workers strike.  Strikes have a tendency to drag on (at least lately) which cause significant inconveniences for all: the workers go with significantly less (or no) pay, the customers make compromises with little or no service and the companies suffer in brand image (or worse).

All this hassle, and it’s usually over a few issues such as job security, vacations time and of course money.  Money of course that the company pays out in wages.  Of course, it’s these wages that the union members are loosing all while on strike.

Now, to put this in perspective, I have worked for both BC Hydro and Environment Canada in the past.  Each have their unions, and I can tell you with certainty that the employees in those offices are extremely spoiled.  To the point where they wouldn’t know reality if it hit them.  I’m serious, in the ‘real’ world, if you feel you need a raise you talk to your boss.  If you want more vacation, you negotiate with management.  If you want job security, then do your job well, provide value to the organization and prove your worth and you will get the respect and job security you deserve.  Now, if you do all these things and you still don’t get what you deserve then feel free to go looking for another job elsewhere.  If you truly deserve the rewards, I’m positive you won’t have any trouble finding a better place to work, where you get the respect you rightfully deserve.

One more thing, if you are one of those union members voting for a strike, you might want to consider what it is you are actually voting for.  I had an interesting encounter with a friend of mine recently.  She was mentioning how she had just voted for strike action in her workplace.  Curiously, I asked her why she was in favour of the job action.  Disturbingly; she didn’t have an answer, she didn’t even know what the issues were on the table.  I’m sorry, but if this is the same attitude and understanding as the rest of those union workers I am incredibly disgusted.   You’ve lost what very little sympathy I once had for you.

Perhaps instead of bickering about the percentages, you should drop those union fees and be free, and better off.   And we can all get back to work!!

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All that is wrong with the (disposable) Auto Industry 22nd September, 07

I’m sick and tired of the North American Auto Industry. Supply and demand seems to mean nothing to General Motors, Ford or Chrysler. Each year is the same old same old, pushing cars off the lot with massive marketing campaigns, huge deals and incredible incentives; rather than having them pulled off the lot.

Short and simple, they work in an industry of slim margins and high capital investment (the R&D to keep efficiencies high) which is a vicious cycle. Which combined with commodity expectations, the domestic auto makers are doomed and just don’t see it.

Don’t buy it? Check out the long term debt for any of those three companies. GM for instance is sitting at a long term debt of $190Billion [and growing]. Each year they invest incredibly in R&D and in highly depreciating and dating capital. The kicker is they operate with a net loss in revenue of billions (just under $2billion this year). So, that $190 billion just keesps growing. How depressing, and these guys just keep digging a deeper hole each year. Brilliant!

Now really, the technology and reliability of our vehicles has been improving over the years. Sure there is the age-old saying “they don’t make them like they used to’; while true, it’s not something you can consistently generalize with quality and reliability. Ultimately, most of us don’t have to give our vehicles anything more than a regular oil change and car wash every 3-6 months. Besides that, vehicles generally run very well, and for a long time.

So why is it then, automakers flood the market with more than enough new (but the same) product each year? Sure, North America is disposing of perfectly good automobiles on a regular basis (thanks to a disposable society), but not nearly at the pace the big automakers can produce them.

Is it really any surprise that Detroit city is in such financial ruins lately? Talk about mismanagement and lack of forsight!

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