Word: zahner
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...start of production for the innovative Chevrolet Volt, represents an important ray of hope for the hard-pressed Flint community. "These four GM manufacturing plants have a key role in GM's production of the next generation of fuel-efficient vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt and Cruze," says Larry Zahner, GM manufacturing manager. (Read a brief history of the electric...
...Zahner opened negotiations with the union last October and quickly tried to chummy up to its leadership to strike a deal. Zahner, who doesn't speak Korean, would show up early for negotiating sessions so he could smoke with the unionists and try to communicate with hand gestures. Kang In Hee, secretary-general of the union, reciprocated. At one meeting, Zahner asked about the red bandannas worn by all labor activists in Korea. Knowing Zahner's interest in the bandannas, Kang brought an extra one, and presented it to him as a gift. Zahner saw that moment as a breakthrough...
...Daewoo's factory workers may finally be coming to the realization that having American managers is better than having no jobs at all. The union has ceded ground to Zahner on key issues, such as its collective bargaining agreement. Under the old agreement, there was a five-year moratorium on layoffs and a clause granting the union the right to determine which cars were made in which plants. GM refused to acquire Daewoo until the agreement was altered to eliminate such un-American hindrances. In the end, the Detroit automaker bought two plants in Korea and one in Vietnam...
...itself," says Kang Kyung Soo, a member of the Daewoo worker-safety team and a 13-year veteran. "But now since it is inevitable that GM is taking over, the consensus among the workers is: we hope GM will make things better." Some union members even confess they find Zahner much more open than the usual authoritarian Korean managers, and that the workers are becoming more and more pro-GM. Kang, the secretary-general, says he has a "good image" of Zahner. "I give him credit for actively working toward company and union relations," he says...
...union, though, remains profoundly suspicious of GM's intentions. In May, just after the deal was signed, Zahner held a seminar at the Bupyeong plant for about 100 unionists to describe GM's vision of Daewoo's future, stressing the need for Daewoo to be part of a global company. One leader, Cho Ha Soo, began grilling Zahner. Cho called GM's acquisition "stealing," and demanded that the company clarify its position on layoffs. He accused Zahner of evading his questions. After the tense exchange, Zahner singled out Cho and said, "Starting today, we're going to be friends...