scremin meemies is probably hiring.

Just to clarify, between UC and SUB bennefits, it equals approximately 85% of their gross wages.

I think some people are missing the point here.
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The criticism is regarding the state bending over backwards to offer additional help to these employees when they do not do the same for laid off employees of all other companies. I believe it's a justified criticism.
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momof5...I believe cubfan is referring to 95% pay being UC benefits PLUS sub-pay benefits, which is a union negotiated benefit, NOT that UC alone equals 95% pay.

Equal protection under the law apparently has limited meaning in the Doyle administration. The message is clear, join a union that has an influence on the Governor (contributes heavily) and get extra state benefits not available to non dues paying workers. I doubt that GM had much to do with this as it does not benefit them.

tguy: if it were really that simple! Do you honestly believe the price of domestic made vehicles are going to see a significant drop in pricing in then next 1-3 years? It is not just GM who is now offering this 2 tier pay scale. And, it is not just GM who has vehicles that are out priced by imports. There are a lot of factors that go into pricing a car (or any good for that matter) and labor is just one of them. My business has seen a sharp increase in the cost of supplies since the 1st of the year. Steel (what car frames are made of!) has went up considerably, and many manufacturers are only offering 24 hour quotes on it. Pricing is multi-facetted and to try and simplify it and blame it on one or two factors is purely unjust and glorified stupidity to put it bluntly.

cubfan92: 95% of your wage?? I know you are a Cub fan and all (kidding!), but please tell me your math skills are better than that. Lear makes around $22/hour. 95% of that is $836. That is NOT what ANYONE is able to draw off of UEC. It's been awhile, but I think the top-off on UEC is $368. And, please remember that taxes are often not taken out of UEC checks, so (you) end up having to pay in come April 15th often times.
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I just don't get this hatred for everything and anyone related to GM. When Famous Footwear announced they were leaving Madison, people were sad for one another and certrainly not happy that their neighbor would have to suffer. Society needs to get a grip on all this narcisissism.
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I'm not sure Gov. Doyle should be intervening or offering up promises when there are others out there who could use it as well. However, that is not ANYONE at GM's fault that he offered these concessions.
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And, if you really feel, tbatch2000, that "if you do not work at GM that you aren't @@@@" as you put it, then I encourage you to go apply at GM ASAP and have your name entered in the job pool. Who knows, maybe you could find yourself the newest GM employee come July 15th and off UEC.

If they were not so over paid cars wouldn`t cost so much. Also if the workers were made to
pay some for there insurance in the very beginning like every other worker with lower paying jobs.
GM would have less problems also.

I don't hate GM workers, but honestly, where was the governor to help out when my family members were laid off from other companies? What makes GM so special that they should get extended unemployment. And no, my family didn't apply there because we all knew this day would come.

str8shtr.....NO ONE said that the GM employees were NOT entitled to their SUB pay! What I find completely NOT RIGHT is that everyone is "oh POOR GM" blaaah! Yes, I have several family members that work for GM here and in Indiana and I also have lots of family members that work for Lear and Allied and I KNOW they are ALLL going to feel the big blow from this. So it is not just POOR GM!

WHO WANTS TO TAKE A WAGE CUT hold your hand up ? this is so stupid you people hate other WI residents because they make decent wages? I am not employed there but I have many friends and family members that are. You people are really to ignorant to understand these people are no different.

PLEASE.......Lets see the GM employee work for a wage that is more down to earth for a change.

Its really to bad that everybody that hates gm and its employees didn't have a chance to apply there. Oh Yeah I guess they did. But they want to whine and cry because they didn't and thats not fair ?? GM people are no better than anybody else and they deserve what they have coming as far as there union based SUB pay that is part of there union contract. Its a benifit they have fought and worked for.

Gee Doyle, what makes GM workers so special??

Doyle sees bad news and asks himself "How can I use this to make myself look good?"

Guess it pays to have the UAW President close to the seat of power in Madison. Wonder if he will come through for other unemployed people in his district?

Why does GMAC always come first? other people with far less income and benifits are not given this option and I think it is so wrong as to the political involvement.

So.....what about the emolpyees who work for Allied Automotive, Lear Seating etc.....that are ALSO going to be affected by this and will be out of a job! GM is NOT the only company that should matter here! This is going to affect more then just GM!

What is Doyle thinking? This makes no sense at all when there are so many other unemployed and underemployed people in this state who have been struggling for years to make it from week to week. These guys aren't even laid off yet and the Governor is riding in on a white horse with promises of help and money and an extension of unemployment benefits before they even start drawing. A rapid response team? I guess what some of you have been saying really is true.

Gee, thanks Gov. Doyle. Nice to see who really matters...

I'll be expecting you and your "rapid response team" when layoffs hit MY workplace. It's not GM...but we'll get the same treatment, right?

When will people finally see how the American political system is controlled by large corporate America and finally tell the parties where they can go? It isn't any surprise that the Gov is stepping up to help GM... they contribute more to his campaign. I am curious as to what they are going to train these people to do that will allow them to find jobs in this area and keep their homes. The Gov wants to invest in biotech companies for Wisconsin... how many jobs will that bring to the area? Not many! When will the state and federal governmental barriers be removed to encourage small business entrepreneurial start-ups in the area that can create new jobs and stimulate the local economies and put people back work?

People - we are missing a huge point. Why is the state waiting until a company closes, lays off, or downsizes before the state helps out? What is our states economic strategy for recruiting, expanding, or retaining our current companies? We only seem to hear about the money that is spent to ease the loss of employment. We never seem to hear about what are we doing to expand the employment base. Why is that? Does anybody know? Please share.

How long is this layoff is it perminente or temperary an what happens to the companies thhat support gm like Lear SSI LSI how long before there workers are laid off.

I believe the state (Department of Workforce Development) can't act until it receives a layoff notice from the employer, so that may be why we aren't hearing about assistance for the GM suppliers, yet.-- Gazette reporter Frank Schultz

Hey Mr. Doyle(being respectful) what about the rest of the workers effected...Lets see...Several Companies in the area that deal directly with GM that will probably lay off combined over 200 employees and thats probably on the light side. Delivery services that send material to GM on the 2nd shift that will no longer be needed...Not a clue on how many that will be. Daycare providers who watch the kids of all the families that will be impacted by the lay-off...again no clue but has to be a significant number...and thats just a few who will be impacted off the top of my head. Again I ask Mr. Doyle(respectfully again) what about those folks? I know the answer and it truely is sad to think that our state leaders believe that they need to bow down and protect GM and the "Revenue" that it brings in and over look the other smaller companies of this state!

Gee It must be nice to be layed off, draw 95% of your pay for 2 years and then get additional money for training. Only happens to the wonderful GM workers while the other people layed off have to struggle on their measly unemployment check. does sort of seem one sided, doesn't it?

I think it is good that Gov Doyle wants to help out these displaced workers however I think he is only seeing half the picture. Contact his office and let him know that all affected by this mass layoff need help, not just those at GM. If you do for one you must do for all.

Do you belive this? Unreal if you aint a gm employee you aint @@@@!!!!!!

What about me I have run out of unemployment and cant get an extension? Does wisconsin only care about the GM employees that are going to get there 85% of there wage? Wake up!

What about all the suppliers that won't get 85% of their pay or a buyout offer?