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Topic: A new way at Magna?

marckb
recent-rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12950

posted 09 May 2007 05:42 AM

Interesting to read that CAW and Magna are trying to negotiate a new template for labour relations, that would emphasize fairness, flexibility and opportunity for creativity.

Caw and Magna discuss business pact

Sounds like a cross between a unionized labour force and the japanese car maker model of constant, worker-led innovation.

Kept thinking it sounded too good to be true as I read it. I believe in labour, but think that an us vs. them mentatlity can never lead us to a better way. Any thoughts or inside knowledge on what Magna and CAW are trying to do?

From: Toronto | Registered: Jul 2006 | IP: Logged

Ward
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 11602

posted 09 May 2007 10:42 AM

Maybe corporations are slowly being freed of their greedy shareholders.

From: Scarborough | Registered: Jan 2006 | IP: Logged

Erik Redburn
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5052

posted 09 May 2007 01:41 PM

Right. That's what the corporates were saying in the nineties too. The so-called "Japanese methods" didn't work so well out here either, as they only tended to favour ownerships objectives.

From: Broke but not bent. | Registered: Feb 2004 | IP: Logged

Steppenwolf Allende
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 13076

posted 09 May 2007 02:21 PM

From the article:

quote:
Mitic says the CAW and Magna need to settle major monetary provisions such as wages, benefits and profit sharing.
Senior Magna officials would not comment publicly on the progress of negotiations with the two unions.

I guess not, since those are huge parts of any collective agreement. The fact they haven't agreed to these yet shows this new-found enlightenment they are talking about isn't quite as established as they report.

While I'm not ready to dump this proposal for labour relations yet, I agree that it sounds a whole lot like the largely fraudulent and failed "quality circles" and "team concept" BS that came out of Japan in the 1980s.

I certainly would applaud any serious effort to reduce acrimony. But the CAW leadership actually convinces the Magna bosses to accept democratic worker input into decision-making, elected representatives on the company's executive board and a binding say in setting company goals and policies (that would be an historic achievement), it's not going to lead to any big break-throughs for economic democracy and workers' freedoms.

From: goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here | Registered: Aug 2006 | IP: Logged

trippie
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 12090

posted 09 May 2007 10:29 PM

just more prove that the CAW is useless.... working hand in glove with management.... Wait untill management askes the CAW to cut workers and increase productivity.... We will see how the CAW helps them eliminate workers...

Just think... Diamler/Chrysler is making good profits world wide but they are still trying ot spin off Chrysler. You got to ask yourself why?

Maybe its because the people that own lots oh stock want to down grade the wages and can't do it when the workers know the company is making good profits?

So you spin off Chrysler and the new guys reduce the wages and benefits....

Its a theory cause I got no real proof... but I would not put it past them....

From: essex county | Registered: Feb 2006 | IP: Logged

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