Ford UAW shows its true character

November 4, 10:48 AMDetroit Automotive Technology ExaminerFrank Sherosky

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It wasn't that long ago I saw lineworkers at Ford giving thumbs up on TV to Alan Mulally as he cruised an assembly line. They seemed humble and thankful for his leadership on saving the company and their jobs. Now it seems the thumbs and the humility have turned down as the UAW rejected concessions.

I may have the right to remain silent here, but refuse to engage my ability when it comes to this latest hard-ball decision by Ford’s UAW. Hasn’t the past year given Detroit and the nation enough hell on the economic ride without witnessing such a lack of character?

Fact: Millions are out of work, and about to lose unemployment compensation. Plus, their jobs are NOT coming back.

That especially makes the UAW’s rejection of a series of concessions that would have made Ford have wage parity with its local competition GM and Chrysler border on stupidity, not to mention blow-hard arrogance.

Sure, blame it all on Wall Street, company fat cats and government watchdogs. I know, I know. It's always "they," those so-called SOBs who made millions while passing on their bad decisions onto the public. I know, I know. Tell me, though, how are their mistakes of judgment and arrogance any different than the union’s rejection of concessions at Ford? In my mind, not much.

For one, where is that so-called solidarity with the union brothers and sisters at GM and Chrysler? After all, they accepted concessions. Are they lower on the food chain of so-called union brotherhood? All Ford is asking their union members is to accept the same, not more, not less. If I was a union GM or Chrysler worker, I’d be insulted - BIG TIME!

I’m not the only one to feel this way. I’ve received multiple emails from friends, family and former colleagues who know I write about the auto industry. One in particular stated, “I was shocked at the News the other night with UAW workers leaving the plant saying that they couldn't take anymore cuts like GM & Chrysler. Oh no I have four kids to feed; did you catch that? Another wack please ..............our great UAW ......against Ford.”

The same also forwarded an article by Peter M. De Lorenzo from the AutoExtremist.com - now that’s a rant! Furthermore, I can’t argue with his logic nor his position.

Here’s a sample quote:  “Whenever we hear the usual platitudes about “unity” and “responsibility” and that the UAW has “the best interests of this industry and this nation in mind” come out of Gettelfinger’s mouth, we can all safely assume that it is - and has been - total, unmitigated bullshit.”

De Lorenzo went on to imply how the UAW has a “virulent mentality.” Frankly, I agree with him; and my father was a union member at Chrysler's tool & die design for 25 years. 

Ford’s union wants to be rewarded after the company, not the union, took on all the risk; and did all the heavy lifting by a plethora of advanced thinking and strategies that embraced costly sacrifices. They didn't take the easy way out with a government handout either. They even mortgaged the Ford Oval for crying out loud. GM didn’t do that, and they went bankrupt; which ultimately left them with the hand of government up their puppet behinds that did not save them from more separations!

And just because the Ford Motor Company is now on the verge of better-than-expected earnings, they are not out of the woods by a long shot. One quarter of profit does not make a company eternally solvent. Ford can still go bankrupt!

For the record, Ford has massive debt on its books. I hear they may be extending that debt by stretching it out a few years, and then raising cash by offering more stock in secondary offers, which will only water down the value of the stock, which is still only trading slightly above 7 bucks.

When I wrote “Perfecting Corporate Character” back in 1997, this was precisely the kind of industrial shenanigans I lamented. I pulled no punches either, taking on management as well as union attitudes. The issue was and still is about character, because "human nature is the greatest shaping force of corporate performance."

And now with so much financial carnage and blood in the street, the character quality of the rank and file at Ford still boggles my mind. How about you?