Countdown: Worst Person Taking on the $70 Per Hour Auto Worker Media Myth
By Heather Thursday Nov 27, 2008 2:46pm
DOWNLOAD (61)
PLAY (137)
Keith takes on a trifecta of idiocracy in his Worst Persons segment from Nov. 26, 2008. First up is LaDonna Hale Curzon from wsRadio.com for offering Sarah Palin radio all the time and instead letting listeners find John McCain radio.
Next up Keith takes on Glenn Beck for his statement that maybe some states should secede from America to protest the bailouts.
And finally Keith takes on the myth of the $70 an hour autoworker and Andrew Ross Sorkin from the New York Times who gave the right wing their talking points on this B.S. Media Matters has more on Andrew Ross Sorkin.
Login or Register to post comments.
Fox News was peddling that number and comparing to the non-union Japanese workers who (only) make $44 per hour. I'm curious if they bothered adding these figures when they tallied THEIR hourly wages? Sounds like Detroit is underpaying U.S. workers. Could it be they have to make up for paying their executives 20 times what Japanese execs get?
I think you mean 200.
But good on Kieth for calling out an idiot at the NY Times who gave rise to this idiotic meme of $70.00/hr pay.
Geez, I'd be so happy if I was making $28/hour. That's twice my current pay! I support a family of 4 and have 5 years of college under my belt. I must be some kind of chump.
they tuck the dollar bills in their waistbands.
Not that I want to support this myth but I remember talking with a UAW rep in a bar back in the late 80's and he was saying how hard it was for him to be asking for more and more when he knew that his members were already getting the best pay and benefits that was out there.
That being said it was nothing compared to the white collar and top management. He kept saying, where will it all end......well now we know.
That was when the last and current war on unions began.
The UAW rep on Rachel's show couldn't break it down like KO did. I wonder where they get these people that represent the unions. They sure aren't salesmen. If they were, it would be a lot easier to sell the union movement.
I'd say that still pales next to the millions made by the indolent fat cats who get paid exorbitantly for doing nothing. You know, the ones with private jets and platinum parachutes.
I just don't understand the "dismal science." How is such a gross disparity allowed? Why can't more money go to the people who actually produce the goddamn product?
Of course, reich-wingers like to take a lie or a myth and promulgate it as if it were true.
Yes 70 dollars is a myth but it is true that most of these assembly line workers make at least a hundred grand a year. Unions have no fault in this mess... give me a break!! These workers don't get my sympathy.
Can you document what you say? If they are making 100 grand a year, they have to be putting in a lot of overtime and if that's the case, it's because they have laid off thousands of other workers.
please.
The CEO parasites who fly into Washington on their private jets?
Pro athletes don't deserve the outlandish salaries they receive, either. It just goes to show how screwed up our priorities are.
A generous estimate of $28 per hour assuming a 40 hour week and pay for all 52 weeks would come out at $58240.
Who's your source?
Apparently some of our bloggers need remedial math. $28 X 40 X 52 = $58,240. Not $100,000
going by media reports of the recent dispute and strike over wages and benefits, what they earn dwarfs anything that an auto worker earns.
And you can bet a cent to a dollar that those MIC embedded unions do not support any political party that isnt 'on message' with the GWOT.
Detroit makes vehicles that normal people drive in everyday life, Boeing makes warplanes that are used to kill poor peoples overseas.
(also passenger planes)
Which is the most noble and moral business.
you don't think it's a line of bullshit coming from a corporate driven media (The fucking Seattle Times, for one, whose attempts at busting their own union failed) not feeding you another line? They don't make that fucking much. And I tell you, I'd rather have guys working on planes not feel like they're getting the shaft.
They make $19-to the 20s. About the same as autoworkers. It's less when you consider the cost of living in Seattle is much higher than around Detroit.
Median price for houses in Seattle topped $500000 in 2007, down to 325,000 now and the median price in Detroit is $125,000, just for starters. Boeing rank and file are behind autoworkers.
I retired from General Motors in 2006. In my best year, I never made over $80k/yr., and that was working all of the overtime that I could find, including most Saturdays and Sundays. If you're going to argue a point, at least have some idea of what you're arguing. Do you think there aren't union members who read these blogs and are willing to call out your Reich Wing BS?
Allow me to point out something else to you. The unions in this country are what drives YOUR wages and those of everyone else higher. That's the biggest reason that companies want to bankrupt GM and bring the UAW down. Do you know what's going to happen to your wages and benefits and those of other workers when you don't have unions bringing them up?
Your figures are wrong. Working in the industry over 29 years I never made that amount of money. Anyone making that much is living in the plant. Invest in a calculator if you can't do the math. A known fact in the industry, assembly plant workers generally don't work over 40 hours a week. Get your facts and figures straight before you make a statement like this.
To make $100,000 the worker would have to work 8hr a day 7 days a week for 52 weeks.
Remember that one third of the workers work the 4:00pm to Midnight shift and about one third of the workers work the Midnight to 8:00AM shift.
New hires typically get stuck on the 4:00 -Midnight shift or the Midnight shift until they get seniority to move to day shift.
Are the yuppies willing to work the 4:00PM to Midnight shift for about 8 to 10 years, missing out on their kids school functions, family function and most normal things. Keith_dynoman
$28 per hour x 40 hrs/week x 52 weeks per year= $58,240/year. To get to $100,000 per year would mean 20 hours a week of overtime at time and a half ($42 per hour). If you've ever worked in a factory, that's earning your money...
I'd love to calculate what the averagge income in the United States is under this "New Math"!
Isn't that like, SLAVE LABOR?
I've worked that average for the past 8 years, not including doing paperwork at home for free. It isn't slave labour. It's what you do for your company, and your own finances.
How do you find time to spend here trolling like you do? Don't you ever sleep or take time out for meals? You are so full of it.
Think about what you are saying ron. I start at 6 AM every morning. Even if I only was to work till 5 PM five days a week, how many hours would that be? It's construction. EVERYONE works those kind of hours that I know in my area that do construction. What, does everyone on here have office jobs?
So, you're saying that you work 11 hours a day with no breaks. You need a union. How do you find so much time to troll here?
Sorry, had to chime in - you're lying CC. Construction guys typically start at 6am, but are done by 3pm. AND they drink beer for an hour at lunch. Sorry,Canuck, but you're a fookin liar and a troll to boot. MSJoanne was right about you - you suck.
Once again, registered trolls? OK. Whatever. Secondly, I've been in construction for over 30 years, the beer thing wears off after that length of time. And thirdly, I could care less what you think construction guys work. If that is what they work where you live, that new infastructure spending should go a long, long way.
Oh and I could care less what MsJoanne or any other poster thinks. Shouting down and cursing and swearing at fellow posters, is something Republicans and NeoCons do. Never thought I'd see the day this site put up with that stuff from "supposed" progressive Dem supporters.
I overstepped a bit - you're right - I have no reason to call you a troll, I am new here to posting, but dude, you post some of the most negative inane bullshit of anyone. I really didn't mean to swear, I've had a bad day (family and all Thanksgiving, etc.)but I've worked in or around construction for 30+ years here in the states myself, and what you state just doesn't wash. Didn't mean to "shout down" or any other nonsense, just stating what I see, OK? Peace, man, and Happy Thanksgiving.
First, I didn't say I worked that, I said what would that add up to. Second, if everyone posting on C&L, all of whom have to be registered, are considered "trolls" then perhaps you should take that up with the C&L staff. Maybe you should tell John and the gang that you no longer want posters that have a diff point of view than you have posting on here.
You did say that you averaged those hours for the last 8 years. WTF, you can't remember what you posted?
The last 8 years have been booming for construction. Not where you live?
Probably a non-union Ledcor worker, hey CC?
Working as a union pipefitter in Alberta you make about 60$/hr with pension and health benefits added in. Thats damn good money... but peanuts compared to the people in management. A typical superintendant would make 250,000$+ per year on the same job.
Not so much these days.
We don't mind a different point of view, but we don't like posters pulling numbers randomly out of their anal orifice to make a point. If you're going to present a different point of view, at least make it an honest one. Perpetrating the $100k/yr. lie doesn't help the political discourse and puts you in the same light as Faux News to many of us here that want an honest discrussion.
More fool you. And possibly illegal. You do only your boss favours by doing shit like that, and you undermine yourself and your coworkers as well.
If they need to lay you off, the fact you worked for free won't find them grateful.
They give bonuses and other incentives. It's what good bosses do for their employees. And as long as they pay overtime after 44 hours (which they do), there are no laws broken.
degrades your work, brings down your hourly wage, and puts burdens on you and coworkers. When you start charging them for the work you now do for free, they'll wonder why you can't get your work done.
And bonuses? Do you track you 'free' hours? SO if you give your company an hour, and get a $100 bonus, good for you. But if you put in an average of 2 free hours a week, x 50 weeks and end up with a bonus that equals less than your hourly wage, you are allowing rich people to rob you. On edit: And then it's not really a 'bonus.' It's pay.
I'd say this is your business, but it's not.
All of the stats by which you and your coworkers are measured include you getting stats off the clock, which compels them to do the same, if they want to keep up, whether they want to work for free or not.
That's why it's illegal in the states. It creates an unfair advantage, sets a spiraling system of people working for free to keep up, and serves only to enrich the employer, who won't be paying taxes on this 'income' for them, which rips off Canada. But you'll pay taxes on your bonuses, and perhaps some of those incentives.
Also, you'll see no benefits paid on your behalf for free time, your Social Security, whatever the Canadian equivalent is.
... why CEOs make so much for doing so little?
For me, it's one of those "parallel universe" questions. The whole thing just doesn't make sense.
Good question. Why does the new GM of the Toronto Maple Laughs signed on for 3 mill per year?
CEO compensation in America is a function of ego, not value to the firm. They have to be at parity or better with their peers so their "image" is not tarnished by being "underpaid." Wouldn't want to look bad, you know.
While some CEO's do genuinely and humbly lead by example many don't and look at their compensation as egotistic entitlement, not earnings.
Since almost all the states that voted for McCain come out ahead in the federal spending minus taxes paid, one way to balance the budget would be to let them secede, or maybe kick them out.
Suppose Russia would care to buy back Alaska?
http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/detroits...
My idea was a bit off, but only by a hair.
thank you Keith for shuting up some old repub. friends of mine. They got the bogas lies from...(drum roll) shawn hatity..surprise!.
hours of overtime will not make $50,000 a year, I know my brother is a line worker and has been for many years
'Work to live, not live to work'
I am not a fan of this 40 hour plus 20 hour overtime crap.
Yes people do need money, but not a nice way to lose your youth or years, theres more to life than just slaving away in a factory/office.
And every overtime queen you meet is generally a miserable SOB, they might have a nice truck/house, but quality of life judged by their behaviour and attitude at work is lacking.
They work their asses off and drop from stress like flies.
And of course people ignore or dont realize about the economic boom bust cycle thing, so as now with the 'harvesting' of the wealth and plummeting value of peoples 401ks, people end up seeing their years of hard work evaporate.
when a worker making a high wage is shit on, but a exec/CEO running a company into the ground is not.
Go figure!
is that, if you're a "skilled" executive, you're allowed to fail upward.
Chances are, if you're an executive making $200,000 to multi-millions a year, that when you get booted, you'll get another executive job at another company.
If you're in the auto industry, you can go from being an executive at GM to being an executive at Toyota, and they'll even pick up your moving expenses.
Where does an autoworker go?
... with a 20ft pole.
Bill O’Reilly: UAW’s Bathroom Breaks Responsible for Detroit’s Problems
And I think maybe you misinterpret some. We all have our own particular filters through which we see the world. Filters built from the bulk of our experience. It is no more fair for you to completely discount someone else's experience than it is for that other person to make light of yours. I see nothing wrong with bringing paperwork home. If it's important to a project and it needs to be done, then it needs to be done. Who's responsibility is this paperwork? It sure ain't the line workers. So, I disagree with you in the statement that when the boss brings work home with him or her, it hurts everyone on the crew.
Take it easy on people, don't always assume the worst.
And it has nothing to do with the lie that is $70/hr pay for UAW.
I do know union pipe fitters who make 50-60 an hour though. But a 40hr week is very rare for him.
Xboxer I have worked in construction over 20 years in a relatively high-wage area. Are your fitters being paid in Canadian dollars? If not I would say your pipe fitters are mythical creatures along with the $70 autoworkers and unicorns and dragons.
is in New Jersey
Your friend was exaggerating. I work in NJ so I know. The total package may be that much, I don't know, but he's not getting that much in the paycheck.
Thank God for Keith Olbermann! Finally someone in the so-called Mainstream Media who does not spread their politically motivated lie.
I love Olbermann, however actual dollar amount aside...
It's long been known US auto workers make significantly better money and have better benefits than US based Japanese auto companies, for example just google 'GM employee benefits' and you find stories confirming this dating back to 2003.
The largest expense of any company is employee's, if you are paying more than the competition, then you are not competing.
You can't defy the laws of physics, you can only confirm them
We need recognize the truth on both sides of the argument
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/31/toyota-wor...
no need to google it's right here. looks like UAW make almost as much as the Toyota workers.
What percentage of GM and Ford workers are in the US anyway? Haven't they shipped jobs to Mexico? How much do they pay THEM?
Look, these auto companies ship jobs to other countries to pay the workers less. Make shitty cars no one wants to buy. Pay their executives exorbitant salaries. And then fly in private jets to beg Congress for money.
The Sock Puppet wants a BAILOUT!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRVRTTMwhK8
What is the name of that piece they play for Worst Person? I know it's famous, but I've never heard a name associated with it.
by Bach, J.S., off the top of my head
On Edit:
j.s bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor
AKA BWV 565 (its catalogue #)
Toccata and Fugue in D minor,
Toccata and Fugue in D minor wiki
and I KNOW the big 3 workers aren't making 70 dollars per hour. I worked very hard along with many other workers there to try to bring in the UAW to the Georgetown plant. Our efforts never succeeded. However, if any of us thought that UAW workers at the big 3 plants were making 70 dollars per hour and that it was a direct result of being unionized, we would have voted them in unanimously.
I left Toyota in 2003, after being offered a buyout due to an injury. I was told, when contacted about my buyout offer, that it would be at least a month before I could be scheduled to meet with them, because they had a month-long backlog of buyouts they were offering to their injured employees. This huge turnover rate was only one reason we wanted the UAW there.
When I first saw these stories mentioning 70 dollars per hour for GM workers, I laughed out loud. It doesn't take a very intelligent person to know right off that it's completely bogus math. The problem is, unfortunately, most people will take it at face value and assume it's true.
When I left in 2003, I was making about 23 dollars per hour, not including benefits. We were under the impression that big 3 autoworkers were making around 25 dollars per hour at that time. We had been told years earlier by management, when the plant first opened, that within 5 years we would be the highest paid autoworkers in the industry. Twenty-one years after the plant opened in 1987, when a new compensation package is presented to the employees, it's always touted as "competitive". NOT the best, just "competitive".
Login or Register to post comments.