You may be sure of what some will do most of the time and what most wll do some of the time but you'll never be sure of what all will do all of the time.

I believe his orginal position (President) was an elected position. His new position (International) is an appointed one. I am sure there isn't one person on this post that would turn down a step up regardless of the timing. Becareful what you say on here.......

So now altruism is foolish and any who aspire to be altruistic are liars. Yet altruism is what is expected of leaders, particularly leaders who actively seek their positions.

This is all pretty easy to say when you're not in his shoes! If any one of you can sit there and tell me you will lose your job before you take that opportunity, I will call you a liar.

GM will more than likely stop production soon leaving thousands without a job. If you were the one person in this situation that had a family and all that comes with it you would take it. If you didn't take it then you are a better person than most, foolish, but a better person.

Let me understand this. The economy is tanking and corporations are cutting back on everything possible so that situation calls for a union rep to lead the charge for a new product in Janesville.

I`m sure corporations are looking for a whole bunch of narrowly focused skills at high union wages.

I wish luck to the effort but not much hope unless the opportunities lie in very, very, low wages in unskilled jobs.

From my time at LSI I liked Brad a LOT more than the guy he is replacing

I'm no union expert but it sounds to me like he can do more good for Janesville in this new position. It's not "jumping ship" if the ship you are boarding has the same goal.

darius
I guess I definately agree with you. Maybe the captain should go down with the ship. However I think that right now the solidarity of all in the plant is the most important. There are many depressed right now and we need to give them all of the support we can. I know of a few who are night shift with no chance to go back to work and hoping the un-employment and health care will hold out until they find a job.

At this time, right now, Brad Dutcher is leading a "battle". He's the leader of a few thousand people who's lives are in the balance and their futures dictated by his leadership. (I'm not saying he's a miracle worker!) Look at it this way. If we're in a war on the battlefield the people in my group are counting on me and I am counting on them. No way would I leave them! You don't leave your comrades in battle. Dutcher is the Captain of this Janesville GM ship and he should be the last one off!

I’ve dealt with Brad a few times and he seems like a straight up guy. However, the timing on this particular appointment is unfortunate. Granted, he may still be involved in securing local work for the GM Janesville plant, but the appearance of jumping ship has to be expected even if uncalled-for. In addition, it also appears as though international realizes things aren’t going well for securing new work in Janesville and they want to keep their best union brothers active at international. As a result, they are promoting Brad in advance of the plant closure. None of this may be true, but I don’t blame those who may question the timing of this appointment.

This sounds a lot like the leader of the Democratic Party during the Tommy Thompson administration who appeared to be a candidate for Governor. Tommy waved his magic wand and lo and behold, the former leader became the head of a state controlled insurance board. It was "in his best interest", not to mention the doubling of his salary. Many people felt abandoned. Now years later, he's back in Janesville, working "for the people". One can't help but wonder when he'll jump ship again.

MOCO
Key statement you had. "HE IS JUST LOOKING OUT FOR HIS BEST INTEREST". I understand he has a family to feed. We all do. However, Dutcher took an oath of office. When he did that, he gave up the right to be looking out for "his" best interests only! He's representing alot of people who put their faith and trust in him as a leader. From the day he took office, this role he's in became much bigger than his own best interests!
I'm not saying anything on a personal side of this because I don't know the facts behind this story or all the details. But, leadership isn't a part time duty! Leaders always make the cause bigger than them. They stand for what's right regardless the personal cost to them. It's a position of influence based on trust. Nobody is above that!

My point was just that it doesn't show much solidarity which is what unions are suppose to represent. I am sure he could have worked out something to be appointed to a UAW International position after the plant closure.

Let me see if I’ve got this straight. Brad Dutcher ran for Union President just a couple of months ago (I assume he said he wanted the job and really did), and now, a short time later (ship sinking beneath his feet, so to speak), he finds a Union job he likes better (more job security, I suppose). Those who know and support him approve of his self-preserving move and congratulate him on his presumed step up the Union leadership ladder.
I wonder what is the difference between an ambitious Union leader and an ambitious corporate leader other than that one is lauded for his foresight by his Union brethren and the other condemned for his avarice.
Am I the only one who finds it peculiar that Union leaders seem to have a knack for avoiding the hardships of the membership?

FYI-
1.)Brad Dutcher is not "jumping ship" by accepting the position he was offered. The new position is still involved at the local level.In fact it benefits Local 95 to have direct representation at the International level by one of our own.
2.)He will also be continuing his work trying to secure a new product for Janesville. This is stated in the above article. The International, of course, recognizes the importance of this work and has granted him permission to keep working on it.
3.)He is not jumping,running or bolting from the local landscape. This new position in fact can only benefit the efforts that are currently on going.
4.)UAW Local 95 does not only represent those at Lear or GM. There are other local amalgamated units represented by the UAW Local 95.

cocktail: Why do people work? Is it for the fun of it or is it to feed their families? Ask yourself that before you pounce on someone for jumping ship. I would agree with your statement if there was a chance the plant would stay open. He is just looking out for his best interests. That would be human nature to do so. For anyone else to sit there and say they will be the last one to leave in this situation would make them full of @#$%.

what a mess. too lazy to work the lines so they set in a fat chair! glad it is going, going, GONE!!!!!!

Looks like he is jumping off the sinking ship he commanded. Not a very strong leader if you ask me. Doesn't show much solidarity on his part. Too bad plant workers didn't know that before they voted him president.

Is there representation now?

What's going to happen when the plant shuts down? Will there still be a need for union representation at the local level?

Congrats Brad! However I think any glimer of hope Janesville had is gone! Andy was worthless as a committee person and he only ran for VP because he didn't want to go back to the line when his district got eleiminated due to all of the re-rates and his opponent didn't campaign and he was already experienced. Usually you work your way up the ladder of representation, not skip to the top with NO experience. Sure hope he proves me wrong.

Congrats to Brad. That was a short presidential job. Too bad we did not make Pres. Bush's term that short!! Good luck to Andy on his new job!