The discussion revolves around the future of labor in America, particularly in light of recent splits within labor unions such as the Teamsters and SEIU from the AFL-CIO. Participants explore the implications of these changes on union membership, political dynamics, and the broader economic landscape, touching on themes of corporate influence, economic competition, and social welfare.
Participants express a range of views on the implications of union splits, the role of labor in the economy, and the potential for economic downturns. There is no clear consensus, with multiple competing perspectives on these issues remaining unresolved.
Some arguments rely on assumptions about the motivations of union members and the effects of government policies on labor markets. The discussion includes various interpretations of economic dynamics and the impact of unions on competitiveness.
Art said:Again there are actually more configuration options for Dell's computers than there are for cars. Apart from the general offerings to the public Dell have a Dell+ service for business customers whereby the customer can have absolutely anything he specifies included in the configuration.
Dell has a logic program that tests customers' orders for what they call 'illegals' i.e. systems that cannot be physically built; for example if you try to order a system with more hard drives than the chassis can physically contain it will reject the order. Previous to the installation of this logic test the order would have been accepted and the problem only discovered when the system was actually in production which used to cause huge expense for Dell and unnessary delays for the customer.solutions in a box said:Man you can that again. Last year I bought a Honda minivan online without a problem.
Last month I went to the dell website. I kept running into, "your current configuation has components that are not compatible" ect ect. I ended up buying a preconfigured Dell through Costco on line for $100 less than I would have paid through Dell.
Good points--and interesting to hear from someone who has actually experienced these things.FredGarvin said:...From personal experience, I can tell you that the ideology and attitudes between US automakers and foreign automakers could not be more polar opposites. When I was in a plant, the US's version of good manufacturing was getting the required number of vehicles out the door. That's it. If they happened to be right, all the better, but not necessarily required. Quantity is job 1, not quality. Also, the working environment is pathetic. How can a company foster feelings of employee loyalty and desire to produce a good product when EVERY SINGLE encounter with a fellow worker/supervisor is adversarial in nature? It can't. a big part of that adversarial nature is due to the unions. The unions, in their current forms, are archaic and perpetuate the wrong message to the majority of it's constituents: We are working so you can get paid more for working less.
BTW...GMs pention problems are also because of the non-union, "white collar" workers as well.
Art said:I don't know the times for the bodyshop but once the shell reaches the assembly line it only takes approx 1 hour before the finished car is driven away and so it probably actually takes less time to assemble a car than it does a computer. (computers require between 8 and 24 hours burn in and test time which cars do not.)
I work at a trade school. If the one I work at is any indication they're not very good at all. They just got off of probation from WASC and regained their accreditation. Most of the improvement as far as I can see has been superficial. It doesn't seem like being accredited means much.SOS2008 said:In regard to technology, and back to jobs in America, per capita we are not producing hi-tech (etc.) workers in comparison to other less developed, often smaller countries. In all fairness, the U.S. needs to improve education/trade schools if jobs are to remain in America.