anonomouse by the time GM gets through the average GM worker will get screwed blued and tattooed .

Hopefully they use it to bail themselves out of debt and not to buy crap. We don't need anymore people making bad economic decisions crying broke and asking for tax payer bailout.

At least a little good news, Wal-Mart agrees to settle 63 class action suits for not paying workers for breaks and overtime. $350 to$640 million will go a little way to stimulate the economy.

Factcheck-agreed just don't drink the Chinese hot chocolate it has nasty stuff in it.

Let`s all have a hot chocolate and enjoy the snow! In the meantime, maybe someone will come up with a solution to all our, the U.S., economic problems. We can always hope!

Cnn states one thing. Fox another. We could post opposing links all day.

Factcheck--It looks like I need to check my facts--you were right, I was wrong. 63% are in favor of the plan the government proposed acording to the latest article.

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/22/news/eco...

916wi, I don`t want to get in a spitting match with you, but look at the date of the poll on your site, 12/)04/08! It`s a little out dated, the new one came out yesterday.

I wish I had the answers to solve this economic crisis but I don't. I feel bad for everyone who is losing their jobs in all industries. Personally I'm against all bail outs even the banking ones. This whole crisis started with the banks loaning money for people who couldn't afford to buy a home and they intentionally fudged the numbers for people to do this. Personally I think whoever had the bright idea to do that should be charged criminally and not sent to jail. I don't want to support their three hots and a cot. Let them have their assets taken and their wages garnished until this clears up. I think this should start at the top and filter down all the way to the homeowners who knowingly bought something they knew they would default on. They had the attitude someone else will pay for it and I'm sick of that type of mentality. It never was the American way but I guess it has become the American way.

Factcheck--you need to check your facts:) You got the numbers backward--61% of those polled opposed the bailout.....

http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/03/news/eco...

In an economic climate like this, people get nervous and scared, and tempers get frayed. I just try to give some factual information sometimes when I see something I either know for sure, or believe with a good amount of authority, to be faulty statements. We both know that we`re not going to change anybodys mind on these blogs, but it does get my mind moving!

factcheck I was just pointing out people can find whatever they want to hear if they go to the right news sight. Newsflash!! All news sources have a spin for their readership. You will find just as many pro-union as anti-union news sources. The link was my reply to the percentage of people who are for this bailout someone else posted. This is a sad day for the whole US, not just GM or UAW. Alot of industries are laying off people. The more lay offs the less buying cars. The less buying cars the less autoworkers needed. The less autoworkers working the less they spend. The less they spend more layoffs. I wish we could find a way to end this vicious circle without bailouts.

I would guess if you took that poll in Janesville right now, the ones willing to answer the question would probably be 60-70 percent in favor of disbanding the UAW if you go by these blogs!

If the pensions are discarded they will go to the Pension Guaranty Corporation, a government agency that is already under funded. They will go to the taxpayer, by law, to get more funding, and seeing as how the pension fund at GM is 98% fully funded, every body better hope that money is directed into the PGC instead of allowing GM to put it in their general funds. In other words, the pensions are funded now, if there is a bankruptcy, who knows what the court will order. Ask former Parker Pen employees if they had a fun time getting their rightful pensions!

It was a CNN/Opinion research poll released Monday. Did you see the disclaimer, anonomouse, on the Fox(fair and balanced my butt!) poll you cite? "Not a scientific poll". There are "liberal" people in the media, but media itself is mostly owned by 6 entities, and not one of those is even slightly liberal. In the case of Fox, Rupert Murdoch is as conservative as you can get, and it shows in his network news and opinion shows. People go to Fox because they are of the same opinions of events today, and are looking for a friendly voice to back them up.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/ scroll down to the poll 65% of the American public believes the UAW should be abolished.

I would love to see you reference your source for the "63% of American taxpayers are in favor of the bailout" comment. Was it the UAW website?:) It's sad that pensions might need to be compromised, but those pensions were an obligation between GM and it's workers NOT between the American taxpayers and those workers.....I guess we'll just have to see what happens when they burn through this first $14 billion......

If all the workers go on unemployment, the union people will be in line also

If you don`t want to work someplace with a union, don`t. If you already do, and you don`t want to, work to have them decertified, or quit. Only 12% of the workers in this country belong to a union, you don`t have to if you don`t want to.

Like someone said at one time in this country unions were needed but that time has passed. Is the union going with all these workers to the unemployment line? Dont think so....

Tell that to the multitude of Wal-Mart workers that have suits pending. Those laws are only there because of unions, and the laws in this country pertaining to labor are not always strictly enforced. most employers are fair, but there are always some that take advantage.

There are laws out there to protect the worker today, therefore unions are not needed. Nobody works overtime for free.

If a business makes bad decisions, like banks AIG, CITI, Freddie Mac/ Mae, why should I bail them out. A lot of these problems were exacerbated , even precipitated by our government, that is a major reason that the "ins are now the outs!"Countries around the world stand up for their manufacturers, it`s about time this one did!

New hires start at$14 an hour, the same as the low wage South. Actual hourly wage costs, no benefits, no legacy(retiree) costs, are within a few dollars. Transplants didn`t build here till the 80`s, they have virtually no retirees yet. Workers at a Toyota plant in Kentucky, are the highest paid auto workers in the U.S.

Labor costs include everything, wages, benefits, taxes, overtime, vacations, SUB,retirees health care and pensions. Are you seriously saying that retirees, employees with 30 to 50 years service be cut off? That`s cold! In the last contract defined pensions were changed to 401`s, so that has changed.

Some of the plants in the South pay $10 less, the average is about $4. Their benefits are not the same. What is to prevent companies from reversing their "good will" when unions are gone? Do you want all companies forcing workers to work overtime for no pay, like Wal-Mart? Toyota in Japan has a union, owned and operated by the company, they are constantly being accused of abuses, but the government there is so pro business that the complaints fall on deaf ears. I don`t suppose we should do away with guns because they have served their purpose and are now not needed?

fatcheck: The wages you speak of include the benefits that are not seen on a paycheck. What most people do not know, is it costs a company a lot to have employees. Not just what is shown on the pay stub. You have other taxes, workman's comp insurance, etc. All this is not seen by the employee. Most people think that what is shown on the pay stub is what it costs the company.
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As for the economy, it is a ripple effect. Eventually even the most profitable company will feel the effects of this. No company will be immune from it.
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As for bailing out GM, Ford, and Chrysler, I say NO!!! They need to figure out how to reduce costs. One way is to get rid of pension funds, and switch everything over to 401k's. That $40,000 truck (which is absolutely ridiculous) sitting on the lot is also paying for someone who has been retired for 15 yrs. Why? End pension funding, and make everyone enroll into a 401k or other type of retirement.
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If I had a business that all of sudden took a turn for worse, because of a bad decision made by me, the government should give me money to save it? NO!!! That is not right. I would have to find ways to turn my business around.

I agree with one thing about unions: They were needed back in the 20's and 30's when the working man was forced to work 60-70 hrs a week and not getting paid for it. But nowadays you hear about so many companies that thrive without a union. They pay their employees well, and give really good benefits.
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Let me ask you this, does paying a union wage and benefits create a better product? I don't think so. I think if you treat your employee right, you will have a happy employee and produce a good product that people will want to buy.
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The Toyota counterpart is making about $10 less an hour. They just as good of benefits as the guy at GM. Guess what?? TOYOTA IS NOT UNION!! Unions have been known to be the downfall of many companies. GM, Ford, and Chrysler are examples of that. The unions have put so much into the contracts that the companies cannot afford it. And guess what? Now the employees that the unions have worked so hard to "protect" are now without jobs.
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So once again, where is the union in all this? "Thanks for the dues every week. Hope to see you again sometime."

I read an article this morning that 63% are in favor of the auto bailout. I guess it depends on who you want to believe, the people who say that UAW workers make $70 to $100 an hour, or the ones that have checked out the facts. With labor costs coming in this year at about 6% of GM income, how in the world is that a major cause of their problems. As evidenced by Toyotas plight, the economy is in the crapper. If the unions go do you really believe your wages won`t be affected? The only reason you make whatever you do is because of years of unions fighting for the working man. Gettelfinger was upset the total blame was coming down on the workers heads. They agreed to every concession the Senate asked for, until the start date was changed, even though wages are not the main difference between transplant and UAW plant costs. Just once I`d like to see the true cost of labor for the transplants, without adding in the 50% of the vehicles they sell here that are produced overseas. The UAW should be willing, have shown they are, to take some cuts, but let`s first make sure that is where the problem is. The US auto makers have been slow to change to more fuel efficient vehicles, and the government has been slow to require it, but let`s remember, you don`t have 3 plants making SUV`s, and more making trucks if there is no demand.

Made in the USA--I thought the bailout of the financial sector was completely uncalled for as well--I was totally against it. I have respect for those that go to work everyday--however, I don't think that billions of tax dollars should go subsidize the lifestyles of a relatively small segment of the population. With 65% of Americans being strongly against this bailout, it looks like a overwhelming majority of the country agrees with me.....

Anybody that thinks that American made cars aren't quality wise as good as the Japanese cars obviously haven't driven an American made car lately. I have had both Japanese cars and thought the same way. Yeah maybe 15-20 years ago the Japs made better cars. But, that isn't the case anymore.

Well said 916WI sums it up very well, have been hearing the same things myself.

Edsci--I think you're missing the point here. Most people don't care what goes on with GM management or the UAW as long as they're the ones left responsible to keep their house in order. I suspect most people could care less how pay scales or benefit structures were set up prior to the bailout legislation. The backlash came when American taxpayers, who are also experiencing difficult times because of the current economic situation, are seeing their tax dollars funneled into an industry that has been irresponsible from the TOP TO THE BOTTOM. The snideness of the UAW boss was unbelievable. Saying that concessions would be made now, but he would get them undone under the Obama administration. The taxpayers are being forced into throwing these people a lifeline, and it's still not enough. I really don't think that GM and the UAW realizes(or cares) how all of this has affected the taxpayer/consumers. My family is heavily involved in construction--everyone is hurting right now--my brother has a number of trucks that his employees use--after talking with him earlier this week, I got the impression that there weren't going to be anymore GM vehicles purchased by him again. My other brother just bought a Toyota Tundra last year. The Big 3 don't have a monopoly on the market anymore. All it takes is walking across the street to the Honda or Toyota dealership and signing on the dotted line to express how disgusted one is with what is happening--I think it would surprise them to know how many people are going to be making that walk......

$1.6B Of Bank Bailout Went To Execs
WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2008

(AP) Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.

Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services committee and a long-standing critic of executive largesse, said the bonuses tallied by the AP review amount to a bribe "to get them to do the jobs for which they are well-paid in the first place.

"Most of us sign on to do jobs and we do them best we can," said Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat. "We're told that some of the most highly-paid people in executive positions are different. They need extra money to be motivated!"

The AP compiled total compensation based on annual reports that the banks file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 116 banks have so far received $188 billion in taxpayer help.

Among the findings:

The average paid to each of the banks' top executives was $2.6 million in salary, bonuses and benefits.

Lloyd Blankfein, president and chief executive officer of Goldman Sachs, took home nearly $54 million in compensation last year. The company's top five executives received a total of $242 million.

This year, Goldman will forgo cash and stock bonuses for its seven top-paid executives. They will work for their base salaries of $600,000, the company said. Facing increasing concern by its own shareholders on executive payments, the company described its pay plan last spring as essential to retain and motivate executives "whose efforts and judgments are vital to our continued success, by setting their compensation at appropriate and competitive levels." Goldman spokesman Ed Canaday declined to comment beyond that written report.

The New York-based company on Dec. 16 reported its first quarterly loss since it went public in 1999. It received $10 billion in taxpayer money on Oct. 28.

Even where banks cut back on pay, some executives were left with seven- or eight-figure compensation that most people can only dream about. Richard D. Fairbank, the chairman of Capital One Financial Corp., took a $1 million hit in compensation after his company had a disappointing year, but still got $17 million in stock options. The McLean, Virginia-based company received $3.56 billion in bailout money on Nov. 14.

John A. Thain, chief executive officer of Merrill Lynch, topped all corporate bank bosses with $83 million in earnings last year. Thain, a former chief operating officer for Goldman Sachs, took the reins of the company in December 2007, avoiding the blame for a year in which Merrill lost $7.8 billion. Since he began work late in the year, he earned $57,692 in salary, a $15 million signing bonus and an additional $68 million in stock options.

Like Goldman, Merrill got $10 billion from taxpayers on Oct. 28.

I want to decide where my tax dollars go too, but it`s not going to happen. The first thing I want is all the money, and lives that were spent in Iraq. That fiasco upsets me a lot more than this bailout business!

My dollar skills after $100,000 get a little mixed up as i've never made that much in a year, but I heard on TV that with all the bailout money that has or will be given would be enough to give each American $50,000. I want my $50,000. And I want to decide where to spend it.
If a company falters after every American gets their share of bailout money then they should close if they don't get the business. But that won't happen because God bless America doesn't mean anything anymore. Gods realy mad....and here God has credit all others pay cash. And all these big shots getting bailed out think their God. But in truth they are not nothing.
They should be putting their property up and be trying to get bailed out of jail. Thats why they fly in privet jets etc. because they are scared of the true Americans getting ahold of them.
If time is money a video conference is much faster than a Leer jet. And costs almost nothing.

For even a skilled trades person to make $130,000 he would have to work well over 3,000 hours. Now you`re going to get on someone willing to put in the time and effort to make a good living for his family. Unemployment is capped because after a certain wage per week is paid, the employer doesn`t have to pay any more. the same way the FICA tax is capped about $115,000. Why is that? Why do people who make more than that pay a smaller percentage of their income for Social Security than you do? Either GM workers are lazy, or they work too much, make up your mind!

Why is not ok for the congress to stand up for business owners who have no say as to what their employees make, but its ok for the UAW to dictate what the owners should pay?

I Drive only American cars. Yes I am sure there might be parts on some that were not made in America. We have 2 Tahoes, and yes we pay extra for the gas, but we love them. One is a 1999 lest anyone think that I can have 2 new Tahoes. And No I do not work at GM. No one is buying cars now because the government has everyone running scared. The difference is the Japanese and German governments subsidize their automakers.

And the US Senate and House of Representatives made a Mockery of the Working Class in America. Handing over 700 Billion dollars to the White Collar Banking Industry without a question, then balking at the idea of LENDING the money to the Automakers, who have made their money literally on the backs of US autoworkers.

Shame on them, and shame on anyone who thinks that it is OK for a Senator to dictate what we as working Americans should get per hour for our work. Shame on them for thinking they should decide how the Automakers should run their businesses, when they allow AIG Billions of dollars and their executives go off to a $400,000 retreat.

Shame on the Congress for being judgmental from their high horses, waving their fingers at the UAW and saying how dare you want to send your kids to college, buy a house, go on vacation, how Dare you want to secure your future. You are just the working class, how dare you wish for something that WE as WHITE COLLARED WORKERS are only entitled to. Why you do not deserve that you are not in our class, you are workers, you are producers, we have the brains, you do the work......
HOW DARE THEY, HOW DARE THEY USE THE positions that they were elected to by WE THE PEOPLE, and SPIT on the very people which elected them.

When will someone amongst them stand up and say NO MORE, when will we say NO MORE!

I wouldn't take much stock in anything written in a biased liberal newpaper like the post. That said, there is some good points about the financial bailout. What is wrong is the sense of class bias (ironic coming from the post calling something "bias"). The point missed is the unnerving fact that the UAW was unwilling to do what it had to do to help save the company. A few token give ups don't qualify. I said do what it had to do. They knew they could stand firm in the negotiations for 2 points.

1. They knew they had Bush on the ropes. It he didn't help, it would be just one more action that the liberal UAW could use as fire for thier movement to embed themselves with the Democratic party.
2. What ever they negotiated, they knew they could rely on Obama to bail them out and void any concessions they felt were "unfair".

Do you know why unemployment is capped at $355 a week? Because they feel if you are making much more than that, you should have been able to save and have a nest egg for tough times. Most professional jobs, if you loose it, what good is $355 going to do you? Exactly, the same should apply for UAW workers making $60 - $130,000. Yes, there are UAW workers (Janesville skilled tradesmen) that were consistantly making $130K a year with overtime. You won't find a electrician, carpenter, pipefitter around making that outside of GM.

I have to wonder how many union supporters, would want the union if they were the owners of a company and had no say as to what when on with their employees? I have a feeling most would not want it.

Read this article, it was in the Washington post. Noting how the reluctance to help the automakers reeks of class bias. I could not agree more.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/con...

Ford caught Toyota in 2007, and GM is pretty close. It`s all a matter of perception now.

klick - I think I can put up a pretty good argument against your claim that American cars are junk. Keep in mind, GM still sells the most cars in the U.S. That means they outsell the Japanese. If it was junk, why is everybody buying more American cars then Japanese cars? If Japanese cars were that good, why do the dealerships needs service departments?

The Japanese auto companies make quality made cars unlike American made Junk .

The unions at the Japanese auto companies are only allowed to try and raise quality and productivity issues. there is no election, the company appoints union reps. That is how you own a union.

mollyd5: I agree, there is no good reason not to take advantage of what's offered at the Jobe Center. My only concern is the end result. Once school and unemployment are finished, will there be jobs in the area available? I hope so, but that only leaves a year for things to turn around for the first few batches of people laid off. Like it's been mentioned, it may boil down to moving out of town.

$1.6B Of Bank Bailout Went To Execs
AP: Money Given To Struggling Banks Went Toward Bonuses, Stock Options, Country Club Memberships

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21, 2008

(AP) Banks that are getting taxpayer bailouts awarded their top executives nearly $1.6 billion in salaries, bonuses, and other benefits last year, an Associated Press analysis reveals.

The rewards came even at banks where poor results last year foretold the economic crisis that sent them to Washington for a government rescue. Some trimmed their executive compensation due to lagging bank performance, but still forked over multimillion-dollar executive pay packages.

Benefits included cash bonuses, stock options, personal use of company jets and chauffeurs, home security, country club memberships and professional money management, the AP review of federal securities documents found.

The total amount given to nearly 600 executives would cover bailout costs for many of the 116 banks that have so far accepted tax dollars to boost their bottom lines.

How do you "own" a union? Theoretically, GM owns the union also. Where does the union get their money? Who pays the union leadership? Every union leader is paid for by the company.

If you are a good worker, and do your job, you most likely end up picking up the slack for the bad workers, then you need the union to step in to rectify the situation. Too often supervision will grab the first person they see to complete a job that was already "completed" by some jerk.If the union is totally no good, why are the companies so intent on getting rid of them? There are two sides to every story. The auto companies in Japan have all had unions for many years, but they are owned by the companies themselves. In the U.S. that is against the law. Now that they are losing money, maybe they`ll attack the unions like they do here.

If people who don't have much union exposure really knew some of these stories, they would be appalled. It is the small percentage of useless workers that give the union bad publicity. Those useless workers are the ones that offer the most support for their union, because they needed them the most. If you are a good worker and do your job, you really don't need a union, because really at this point in time, what is the difference?

The union is supposed to stick up for the workers, even though sometimes they have to fight for the slackers and jerks. There has to be more to the story, because the union does not have that kind of power. Usually in a case like the sleeper, they could try to get a shorter suspension, or shorter time on the"naughty employee" list. If they don`t try and do their jobs representing the workers, there are consequences for the reps. I`m not saying it is right to not have the person punished, but they are still entitled to union representation. I have seen some cases where supervision have tried to punish workers and have screwed up the cause of discipline, or even paper work. The only other explanation would be if that case was used to settle a grievance. Would be helpful to know the entire story. In my experience the union is just not that strong if the facts are as stated.Our monetary grievances were always settled for about 10 cents on the dollar.

Benneton--I'm not saying it wasn't fair that he didn't get fired. Several members in my family own small businesses. If that happened with any of their employees they would(and should) at the very least be disciplined. I'm just saying that common sense and what happens in the real world don't always go hand in hand......

No, there was definitely no medical condition that he suffered--unless you count an overly active social/night life:) I'm not originally from this area, so when I moved here I was very ignorant as to the workings of the UAW machine. I was really surprised(actually shocked) as to what some of those guys got away with, but I have to give them credit because it was thankless, monotonous work. They were well paid though. Great group of guys--I hope they are all able to to pull through this....

916WI - I hope there is more to your story than you posted. That is exactly the story people don't want to hear. Just like the story I heard from a person I knew at Lear. He was caught on the golf course during work hours and was protected by the Union. That is exactly the reason for not having a union. If the guy sleeping in his car had a medical condition, he should have had it checked out. If he was cheating the company, he should be fired.

Well said Shopiere. The Union is not there to provide you job security, however they can influence if you will have by their negotiation tactics. Your union pay is for them to negotiate your contract, see that it is honored, and represent the member in the event he is violated due to the terms of the contract. The union is in no way capable of providing you job security. Now you know why most people are not interested in voting in a union. Look at Woodmans. They looked at what they got for the union dues, and wanted out. Each employee could do better on their own by working harder.

Well, I didn't quite mean that unions were originally intended so that people could sleep on the job and get away with it. However, there are some instances where it might not be the employee's fault, narcolepsy, psychological problems, etc.

What I really meant about protection from tyranical owners and managers was more along the lines of those who think that the employee is a valueless tool to be used, abused and discarded. Or a boss who does not like you because he is the son in law of the owner, dumb as a doorknob and you are obviously 20 or more IQ points more intelligent than him and he proceeds to stupidly destroy you because your very existence points out his stupidity. Just examples, the list could be book length.

The union does not function to provide jobs or to guarantee jobs, it never did. There is no refund available if the company ceases business.

916WI
What fair about getting caught sleeping during your shift and NOT getting fired?????
That's stealing from the company.

No life isn't fair, but this is the type of behavior that's turned the American public against the unions.

No one ever said life was fair...

+1 Shopiere.....The unions did offer an incredible amount of job protection. I had a good friend who was a welder at Lear. He was sleeping out in his car while on the clock and got caught--his supervisor suspended him. The union went to bat for him, he got paid for the nap, the time he was on suspension and did not have to face any repercussions for what he had done. So as far as job security is concerned(while the company is still viable) there is no better ally to have in your corner......

Unions do not, nor did they ever provide guaranteed jobs. Their function was to protect workers from tyrannical managers and owners, and to get a little bigger piece of the pie for the workers.

I can't believe the lawmakers are getting a raise!

Ok. Can someone please explain once again why working for a union company is so much better than a non-union company?
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YOU pay into something that supposedly gets you good benefits. But when your job is lost, where is the union then?

Unidentified: What tax bracket are you in? $355 would be the approximation of $11 to $12 per hour at the 25% tax bracket. And I'd guess most people in the $11/$12/per hour range are paying taxes in a lower bracket.

Don't get me wrong, the layoffs are awful, and I have true sympathy for everyone involved. But at Janesville's low cost of living, feeding a family and paying a mortgage is not impossible on these types of lower wages. Ideal? Certainly not. But do-able? Yes.

But you need to tighten down on expenses now, not once the nearly full wages runs out. I've heard of several people planning expensive cruises and trips or buying one more expensive "toy" while they still have the money - instead they should be putting that money away for the upcoming rainy days.

some would say that it was coming, that the money thieves catalized it. you can go back to the oil problem in the early 70's when the japs only built small (and inferior) cars and the us manufacturers had little to offer. like when organized crime got their grip on the us when the door was opened by prohibition. the foot, once in, is hard to remove.

It causes a lot of pain to see all of these good people hurting from all of this. They played by the rules and did their jobs.

On the other hand, those who are responsible for all of this, the rich, the greedy, and the incompetant are the least affected. The working man's money is being stolen to bail out these creatures. They are flaunting in our faces with congress getting their pay raises and state legislators getting their pay raises. The bankers and those who did not do their jobs using the bailout money for jets, country clubs, bonuses and other undisclosed "perks".

I wonder when we will see the outrage that is so overdue.

mollyd5: I agree 10-12 isn't bad if you are one of the lucky ones to even get that much. However, lets remember that unemployment (if you don't take out taxes, which most don't) at 355 net per week is about 14 bucks an hour with taxes taken out (roughly). As a result, people will take a cut in pay to go back to work. Its actually more advantageous to stay on unemployment, which seems counter productive and unfortunate. Although I will say that some won't be able to max out on weekly unemployment benifits and will make less than 355 per week. In those cases it would better to be working.

HEY PURNELL you get a free education out of it I dont believe that is NOTHING!!!

If I was paying $40 a month for 15 years and didn't get anything for it, I would be suing the union for reimbursement!

cjjs...Alcoa is mentioned because they are also part of UAW local 95 and aren't getting anything "extra" when they lose their jobs either. United Industries was not mentioned here either - also local 95

Yea isnt that nice! The govt.gives themselves a raise!

This will make everyone happy http://www.channel3000.com/politics/1833...

Good luck to Tom and the others being laid off. My heart goes out to you; especially to the single parents. Keep strong.

Hospital construction is based on the next 50 years, not the next 50 weeks.
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rooster, you may be interested to know that Toyota is expected to finish its fiscal year in the red, for the first time in seven decades. Also, J.D. Power and other quality monitors show that the foreign competition isn't "cheap".
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This downturn isn't about foreign competition, nor is the GM Janesville Assembly closure. The US auto manufacturers depended heavily on truck-SUV sales, which in turn were driven largely by the housing bubble, which created false home equity that was used for credit. With that gone, there is no money to buy trucks or SUVs from anyone.

I've read the hospital plans on hiring 344 (on their website). However, Mercy has already made cutbacks and will probably make further cutbacks once the new hospital is built. The net gains from this new hospital aren't going to be as substantial as some would like to believe. Granted, any new work is good news, but the hospital isn't going to do much for most of those affected by this layoff. Most of the non medical (other than a small IT related staff) jobs at hospitals pay about 10-12 dollars an hour and are very limited. That won't cover a mortgage and cover the expenses of raising a child. In addition, the competition for those few jobs will be extraordinary. This also doesn't take into consideration the number of people who will be losing benefits over the next few years. It will be interesting to see how that all plays out.

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None of the people laid off in June got severance pay, even though the people who remained didn't work but maybe another two full months because of rotating production weeks of one off one on. The announcement of GM's closure came a month after those were laid off in June.
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Right now an associates degree in business management will get you an assistant managers job paying about 10-14 dollars an hour if you are lucky. When Tom says there is no work, he's not kidding. If someone isn't an RN, LPN, or drive trucks, then they'll be looking at ten to twelve bucks an hour if they get lucky. In addition, they'll most likely have to commute, which will accrue additional expenses. That's not gloom and doom, that's the cold hard truth.

why benefits? because when job losses occure, gm and the uaw provide. cheap cars from foreign competition have driven the american car maker out. thank the fair trade agreements which seem to be fair only to the foreign countries using baby labor. before everyone gets snitty (if in fact anyone gets snitty) i realize it is more complicated than my oversimplifcation, but the fact is when you get good benefits you are glade they are there when you need them. few would argue that. i know of people that have planned ahead for this moment in janesville time and used the uaw/gm education benefit to aquire a skill and plan for the inevitable. now that the tax base will dwindal, look out for more taxes.

*Alcoa Wheel Plant, Beloit, also announced plans to close in June, laying off 240, but the closure is not directly tied to the General Motors plant ending production. - So why even put this in the article??

A new hospital = new jobs. If they have the money let them build

I have lived in Janesville all my life and still can't understand, with all the layoffs and businesses closing, why would Dean/St.Marys look to build a hospital here? Does not make sense to me. Plus, with St. Mary's parent company's track record, why would we want them to build something they may close like they did in Chicago.

This is so sad. When we hear how reluctant the administration and Congress is to bail out the automobile companies, we should remember that 1.8 Billion dollars of our money went for compensation to Wall Street CEOs. We're left with bupkiss, but the men who ran these companies into the ground and cost us all money go away will millions and millions.