UAW Workers More Interested In Current Pay Than Promotion Opportunities Down The Line

As contract voting continues for 44,000 United Auto Workers members with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, some Metro Detroit workers are raising concerns that the tentative four-year deal creates what they see as a third pay tier.

Under the contract, Mopar workers and axle operators at more than a dozen parts distribution centers across the country would top out at $22 and $22.35, respectively. That’s roughly $7 less than veteran, or tier-one, workers under the proposed deal for the first year and at least $3 less than the top wage of $25.35 for entry-level, or tier-two, assembly workers at the company’s plants.

“They created a third tier,” said Lamont Carr, a Local 1248 veteran worker who works in Center Line, where workers are scheduled to start voting Wednesday.

TheSteve - 9/23/2015 3:34:42 PM

+1 Boost

There are several perspectives to this:

(1) Short-sighted thinking, looking for instant gratification rather than long-term value.

(2) Lack of self-confidence / low self-esteem. I can fight for more money now, 'cuz I don't believe I'm the stuff of promotions and leadership.

(3) Stop the bleeding. When someone is hurting financially, just trying to make ends meet, they have a real problem, and they have it NOW. It's not helpful to talk "futures" and "self-development" to someone who is having cash-flow problems in this moment. Cash now helps. Future anything doesn't change the hurting now.

MDarringer - 9/23/2015 7:16:30 PM

0 Boost

UAW workers need to realize that they just bolt cars together.

freeagent - 9/24/2015 5:56:30 AM

+1 Boost

what else is new? if all fails, not to worry, the democrats will skirt bankruptcy law again and fund their jobs and pensions with taxpayer money. time to strike for more entitlements!

Sciros - 9/24/2015 11:02:05 AM

+1 Boost

I actually feel kinda bad about how low their wages are even after working there for like 5 years. $22/hr after 5 years is just not great.