As I watch the Chrysler bankruptcy unfold it brings back a memory from 1991 that irritates me to this day.
I used to sell Chryslers at a local dealership at that time. One day we went to the plant in Hazelwood Mo. for a tour and unveiling of the new minivan.
What I remember most from that day was the employee parking lot. For every one Chrysler built car there were at least five of other brands.
Even back then I was a staunch Union supporter and dyed in the wool Democrat but I still questioned the tour guide as to why five out of six employee driver cars weren't Chryslers. The other salespeople on the tour agreed that my question was valid. Particularly since employees of the big three auto manufacturers got real sweet deals.
The tour guide must have heard this before because he said maybe they get them used or something and they can drive whatever they want. Union supporter. Workers rights supporter or not. What the employees that chose to drive brands other than the company that was paying their salaries and benefits was bullshit.
I'll put my credentials as a Union man up against anyone. But just as I believe employers owe employees a fair wage and respect, I believe employees do owe loyalty and commitment to the employer also.
When the Chrysler plants open back up and the employees get out of their cars, the ones getting out of cars that aren't Chryslers need to be told to get back in them. Go to the manufacturer that built their car, and ask it for a job. Because they most certainly do not deserve to be treated with the dignity and respect they think they deserve when they can't even show the company that is fighting to survive enough respect and loyalty to buy the product they gladly take a paycheck to build.
12 comments:
Now that the employees of Chrysler will own 55% of the company and only be allowed one seat on the board I am sure that they will figure real quick that it is time to buy their own cooking...
Got it Pamela. I deleted the information in case you didn't want it on here for eternity.
I never understood why some employees have no loyalty to their employers. You might be a jerk for all I know TAO. But if you signed my paychecks I sure as hell will be wearing your Tshirts.
Even if they are driving used cars, there must have been used Chryslers.
Truth, I have spent alot of time with my fellow employers and truthfully, hearing how they discuss their employees, I really believe that we need to address the issue of employee/employer loyalty.
Its a two way street and all I hear is how stupid employees are, how lazy they are, how they want everything for nothing...
I AM an employer because I got tired of being loyal, hard working, and dependable and not getting recognized for my contributions.
Right now I have one young lady who I think has great potential and I really like her personality and attitude but boy she is scared to death to take any chances or risks...but then again over the last 5 years she has had 12 jobs and everytime she thought she had found a great job the company turned around and had a staff cut back. Her last job she was hired at after her first two weeks the company had a meeting and informed everyone they were closing the plant.
I have no idea why a company that faces a cut back saw fit to hire someone knowing full well they would be cutting back shortly.
I got into the union thing because of employee mistreatment. I found that many employees were just as guilty of mistreating their employers also. Just as you most likely spend more time managing bad employees, I spent most of my negotiating time not on lobbying for better conditions or something of benefit to the unit as a whole. But prostrating myself and the union to keep bad employees from getting what in many cases they deserved.
There's a better way but it wouldn't benefit the lazy and apathetic. As I was told by the old union committeeman I replaced, "Jack offs pay dues also son. We have to represent them to."
We get it friend. You hate rich dudes and the economy is screwed. That would have sufficed.
I'll delete it if anyone that uses dial up internet service gets sick of scrolling through all that.
Sincerely Yours: Truth101
Truth,
What did Octy do to you? :) You have been changed.
I'll email you if you're interested. Some things don't need to be aired publicly TAO.
Boy, Anonymous was on a roll. It’s nice of you to keep his comment, Truth.
Truth, thanks for deleting that information. I was going to mention that, but you took care of it first.
Back to the topic at hand. I worked as a Controller in automobile dealerships for 25 years; 22 years of that time was with Chrysler. While I had a demo to drive because of my position, my husband has ALWAYS driven Dodge trucks, which we purchased from the dealerships where I worked. Being part of upper management, I always encouraged my employees to purchase from the dealership and gave great employee discounts; this was before the employee purchase deals of today. Some employees couldn’t afford new cars, so would purchase used. But I totally agree that if you are working at a factory that is pumping out a particular brand of cars, the employees should be driving that brand. It’s quite sad today that there is NO loyalty between employers and employees. I’ve seen it too many times to count. I’ve always been loyal to my employer; however, I can honestly say it hasn’t always been mutual. Hence, the reason I’m currently unemployed. (I was at a Ford store, that’ll teach me! Lol) It just seems that years ago there was an allegiance that we don’t have today. The integrity and character of old is gone.
I liked selling cars and once I figured it out the money was good. But it was temporary. After eight years I realized there were no rich retired car salesmen. The retired ones had to because of health or forced out. It's a tough business as you well know.
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