Word: unionization
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: during 1980-1980
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
Intentionally vague about his political ideas, he claims to be a simple "union man." But his political goal seems to be an amalgam of Christian socialism and Polish nationalism. He has read Alexander Solzhenitsyn and shares his views of both Communist and capitalist shortcomings. "No system must make people forget that they are human beings," says Walesa. Then he adds enigmatically: "My own plans are far-reaching, but it is too early to reveal them...
Like factory and office workers, farmers suffered through a year of upheaval. Following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, President Carter suspended shipment of $2.6 billion worth of corn, wheat and soybeans to the Soviet Union. Farm prices immediately collapsed, with the price of corn falling by 10% within three days of trading, the price of soybeans by 8% and that of wheat by 9%. Many farmers suffered a second disaster when a searing summer heat wave and drought scorched crops and pasture lands from Texas to North Dakota. The temperature in Dallas was over 100° for 53 days...
...auto workers' union members are requested to accept a two-year freeze on all cost of living increases and a slight reduction in fringe benefits. This would mean that a Chrysler worker would earn $17.31 an hour in 1981, rather than $20.45, and $17.52 an hour in 1982, rather than $22.11. The concessions would be worth approximately $600 million to the company. Iacocca last week bluntly told the United Auto Workers, "It's freeze time, boys. Chrysler's got good jobs available at $17.30 an hour. We don't have them...
...initial reaction of Chrysler's partners was one of shock. The U.A.W. had thought that the $462.5 million in wage and benefit cuts it agreed to last winter was supposed to be sufficient. Said one union official: "We bought $1.5 billion in guaranteed loans with our first concessions, not just $800 million." The banks are unhappy about exchanging a loan, which would have at least theoretical value in a bankruptcy proceeding, for stock that would be worthless in case the company fails...
Chrysler's requests for help may lead to similar calls from other automakers. Ford is now considering asking the auto workers' union for its own wage reductions. Ford has already lost about $1.2 billion this year, and it would like to renegotiate wages to keep its costs and final sales prices competitive...