Harley Shaiken
Harley Shaiken
chair empty frame
There's no other way to diplomatically frame it - there's an empty chair there.
action call class front jury suits wake
This really is a wake up call to Wal-Mart that these class action suits in front of a jury can be costly.
costs coverage defined insurance means onto puts risk
When you have a defined contribution, it puts more of the risk onto the recipient, ... If insurance costs go up, that means that your coverage is affected.
difficult gm goal jobs preserve severity situation union
This was difficult for the union to do, but the union is being pragmatic. Its goal is to preserve jobs. It realizes the severity of the situation that GM is in.
both interest nobody settling sides wants
Both sides have an interest in settling this. Nobody wants a strike.
bank based changes early fact gets gm jobs likely shows talking unusual willing
What GM gets in changes in the jobs bank is likely going to be based on compromises they are willing to make elsewhere. The fact that they are talking about this so early is unusual and shows how important it is.
bankruptcy bargaining begin chinese chosen clearly collective direction judge miller moving using wages
Miller has clearly chosen bankruptcy over collective bargaining to restructure the company. Delphi is using a bankruptcy judge to begin moving in the direction of Chinese wages and benefits.
cost hard taking union visible
Miller, by taking such a visible and hard line, may have underestimated the UAW. The union would like to see a settlement, but not at the cost of 60 years of gains.
bring chooses company contract dominates largest powerful social symbol
Caterpillar is a powerful symbol of this process. It dominates its field. It is one of America's largest exporters, and it is very profitable. If there ever was a company that could bring back the social contract of the mid-20th century, it is Caterpillar. But it chooses not to.
bankruptcy leverage moment saying
Because they (Delphi) have considerable leverage at a moment of bankruptcy is not the same as saying the UAW is out of the game.
closing consequences enormous future losing major
Losing 30,000 jobs, closing 14 plants, has enormous consequences not just for the union, but for the future of their members. It is a major blow.
benefits companies decision easy looking roll says top
Many companies are looking to roll back benefits, and benefits for retirees are at the top of the list. This decision says that while they may be first on the list, they may not be easy to cut.
definitely gone miller speaker steve
Steve Miller has gone from a provocative after-dinner speaker to a negotiator. It's definitely a U-turn.
exit looking middle roads
I think what we are looking at here are exit roads from the middle class.