I know very little about this, hence the thread. But it seems to me that Japanese companies seem to retain their home-country workforce despite economic slowdowns and general high wages compared to their neighbors in China, etc.

Is this gov'tal policy at play or why haven't the Japanese jumped on this "outsourcing" craze.

The more interesting question to me is, if they haven't been outsourcing all this time (unless you can consider building cars in US for NA consumption only outsourcing), how are they able to keep growing steadily and making excellent profit while their US/European competition is forced to penny pinch by outsourcing and other means?

 

Well, I know that Honda, Toyota, and Nissan currently make the majority of their US-sold vehicles in the US. That's 'outsourcing' to an extent. But then again most people wouldn't fault domestic companies if they made the majority of their european-sold cars in europe. What's bad is when they start making US-sold cars in countries other than the US.

And to answer your question I don't think Japan does that with their (Japan) domestically-sold vehicles for the most part. Neither do most other countries in the world. Then again most other countries in the world are poorer and have a labor force willing to work harder for far less money and far fewer benefits than the union crap we have here.

 

The difference in cost between Japan labor and the other factors and China is probably not worth the initial investment in moving operations.

 

Here we go again with the anti-union crap again. It really amazes me that there are so many people in this country that want to see unions disbanded so the workers can then have their pay cut in half or more, lose most if not all benefeits etc. Pretty sickening. Don't get me wrong i know there is alot good and bad that come from the unions i belong to one but come on guys.

 

The healthcare benefits could stand to be cut in half on UAW plans. Then they would know what the rest of the US has to deal with.

Pay, eh, they make what my mother does for comparable experience, HS grad working in a factory.


(she is union too but doesn't care either way so long as she gets paid.)

 

The reason why you think it's crap is because you're in one. Almost everyone else in the world who isn't in one or doesn't have family member in one seems to agree they hurt us.

I mean what do unions really do in the end? Cause people to be paid far more than they're worth. Don't tell me that's not true because in the end people are only worth what people of their same skill level outside of the union are willing to work for. It's all about supply and demand, and unions create an artificial lock on it all. And furthermore that lock gives the works a sense of security that means if they do something that might normally get them fired immediately, or if they just aren't that great of a worker and would normally be replaced; it isn't nearly as likely to happen with the union standing in the way.

The union is one of the primary reasons why car manufacturers are having to outsource these days and are losing their *** in benefits costs and such.

 

If that's what they deserve that's what they will get. GM or Ford isn't going to pay someone $2.25/hr to work in a factory. They would still get competitive pay and benefits for the amount of skill and labor they do. GM isn't going to get rid of the union to hire illegal immigrants to do slave labor at $2.25/hr and give them zero benefits. They would get what they deserve, not one and a half to two times what they deserve like some do now. But because companys like GM and Ford are so big, the unions can suck a lot more out of them then some the work force deserves. The union doesn't care if it cripples the company that it serves, as long as they get paid.

 

Here we go again, and you are starting it... hopefully I'll finish it but I'm not feeling confident with my writings today so I wont...

but okay, here are the things...
Some companys need unions, and unions eventually bring the demise to the company...
Some companys like GM would probably be better off without unions... but for a majority, any company with over 100k employees ought to have someone make sure they are getting what they are worth.
Some companys like Wal-Mart ought to have a union because they believe in paying as little as possible, and have as little employeed as possible.(now I know what you are thinking, "but what other company in the world pays to have a professional greeter?" and I will tell you so this company doesnt get bad PR)
Unions have their advantages when the unions are managed professionally with the intent for both the quality of the company and the quality of the work enviornment. by work enviornment I am refering to the treatment of employees.

the way I believe companys ought to look at management, is a bit backwards from the majority.
The Employeer must WORK for the Employees, to provide the employees everything they need to make them as productive as possible (this may include salary or tools or information, whatever)
The Employee must WORK for the Customer, to give the best possible service to the customer
The Customer must WORK all day long at his day job, to pay the Company because he is completely satisfied and loves to what he received...

Unions must provide for the employees not just take from the employeer, when the employees dont receive almost everything the employeer gives then there is a problem...
Unions also must provide for the company, a strong & dilligent work force, if everything is utilized unions are great, but usually there is a problem some where along the way, just as the reason communism doesnt work...

 

FWIW, before you tell me I just don't understand, my dad is so anti-union that he refuses to join the union at any of the places he's flown if it's at all technically possible to do so while still keeping your job.

It's sick how short-sided, stubborn, and corrupt some unions can become, including the one at FedEx, who he flies for now. They're almost like the damn mob with the way they threaten and intimidate employees who choose not to join, as well as threaten the company constantly.

My dad started off making 150k/yr flying for that company and is now making around 225k/yr not even really working full time hours unless you count lay-overs in hotels which is nothing but free time away from home.

The people in the union make just as much as him and they have the nerve to complain and threaten to strike because they don't make enough. Sheesh.. some people are never happy, especially when they're in the position of power, which is what the union does for the 'working man', really.

 

[QUOTE=91_z28_4me]The healthcare benefits could stand to be cut in half on UAW plans. Then they would know what the rest of the US has to deal with.
I have to agree with that comment everyone needs to pay some price for health insurance. I know mine is going up alot here in another month or so I'm not happy but what can i do

 

GM employees are not over paid, but perhaps the benifits are over the top...

if a Suburban only costs 600$ in labor its relitively cheap...

if a Cobalt has 1500$ in Benifits... thats expensive...

even for the Cobalt, Labor is only around 400$... but the 1500 throughs out any kind of cheap about the Cobalt

 

That was probably one of the best posts i have ever read on here. You should apply for a managers position i think u would do great.

 

wahoo! Thats 2 threads I've received that comment about

 

It's so funny how pencil pushers don't understand the issues that people in the auto sector face on a daily basis.

Only someone who has worked on an assembly line can truly see the usefulness of unions. Too bad you've been around the business side of things for too long.

Talking about that "artificial lock" Why are Toyota and Honda (non-union) plants paying the same as CAW union plants then if the union guys are being paid more than they're worth?

BTW. There are plenty of ways that union workers can get fired, believe me.

Unions got rich settlements in the past based on the companies profits. Everybody knows there will be concessions by UAW and CAW members even though we have increased quality and productivity.

One thing for sure Kyle, you can bitch about unions all you want but I'm guessing that you would NEVER do my job if you were paid twice what I make!!!!

 

I'm glad someone from the lineup responded, I was quite certain someone would, but correct me if I'm wrong that a Union should do all that I listed possibly more?