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GM Autoworkers: Should taxpayers help GM pay costs of 48 year-old retirees?

Grace W. Bush February 24, 2009 20:00:03

GM is currently asking for another $16.6 Billion while Chryslers asks for an additional $5 Billion. The question remains, does GM put the money we give to good use? General Motors should start putting their money to good use if they ask for money. But wait! This is GM's union policy: Regardless of age, autoworkers get full pension and benefits after 30 years on the job. Should the rest of us taxpayers -- who don't get the same privilege -- help GM cover those costs? Hundreds of retired GM workers are already taking this benefit. Recent retired GM workers are 48!
 Yes, because GM cares about its customers and deserves every penny for bonuses, flights to the Superbowl, trips to Italy for pleasure, and retirement.
No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.
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  • +2 raves kevracer February 25, 2009 00:18:08
    kevracer

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    GM managment agreed to these terms years ago, and the employees worked under those rules for 30 years. What's not fair is changing the rules for the people that worked for 30 years under that agreement. Hold up to the terms of the agreement, or negotiate a fair settlement!

    worked 30 years agreement hold terms agreement negotiate fair settlement
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  • howie February 27, 2009 03:18:34 (edited)
    howie

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    the ppl who signed the contract for 30 and out got a good deal. the fact that the companies are not delivering is not fair. i can go another 12 years in the military to get a 30 year pension at age 53 if i want or i can retire in 2 for a 20 year pension at age 45. it's not the years, it's the mileage ppl. go work a labour intensive or a shift work job for 20-30 years then come tell me how you feel. until then STFU.
  • +1 raves
    brandi February 25, 2009 01:29:31
    brandi

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    hell no.what makes them so much better than us?
  • +1 raves
    Dropped_Shopper February 25, 2009 01:05:27
    Dropped_Shopper

    Yes, because GM cares about its customers and deserves every penny for bonuses, flights to the Superbowl, trips to Italy for pleasure, and retirement.

    They can have this policy if they want; just don't ask me to help pay for it.
  • +1 raves
    Roxie February 25, 2009 00:22:53
    Roxie

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    Fair???
    Like you have a clue what holding down a job for 30 years is like?!
    Sheesh you folks that hold so much contempt for the working people are sick and sad!
  • Dropped... Roxie February 25, 2009 01:06:16
    Dropped_Shopper
    I think you chose the wrong answer then...
  • +1 raves
    Roxie Dropped... February 28, 2009 05:32:38
    Roxie
    Oh oh............... I did!
    My bad!
  • +2 raves
    kevracer February 25, 2009 00:18:08
    kevracer

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    GM managment agreed to these terms years ago, and the employees worked under those rules for 30 years. What's not fair is changing the rules for the people that worked for 30 years under that agreement. Hold up to the terms of the agreement, or negotiate a fair settlement!

    worked 30 years agreement hold terms agreement negotiate fair settlement
  • +1 raves
    brandi kevracer February 25, 2009 01:31:16
    brandi
    i agree,but the tax payers should not have to pay for it.we pay enough already.
  • kevracer brandi February 25, 2009 01:36:36
    kevracer
    I agree. the corporation taking a government hand-out is taking the easy way out
  • brandi kevracer February 25, 2009 01:39:15
    brandi
    ya they sure are not gonna help the little peeps are they!
  • kevracer brandi February 25, 2009 01:40:37 (edited)
    kevracer
    management sh*ts on the workers. Always have & always will.
  • brandi kevracer February 25, 2009 01:45:43
    brandi
    so true,so true.we the people have no rights it seem the like.and if we do stand up for our selfs,nine times out of ten we are fired for it.even though it is are right.
  • kevracer brandi February 25, 2009 01:52:31
    kevracer
    that's why unions are so important to defend worker's rights!!
  • brandi kevracer February 25, 2009 01:54:10
    brandi
    yes i agree,but some places will fire you if you even mention the word union.
  • kevracer brandi February 25, 2009 01:58:02
    kevracer
    I understand, but techically that is illegal - Equal Opportunity Employment Act protects those rights
  • brandi kevracer February 25, 2009 02:01:37
    brandi
    yes,wish everyone thought that way.where i live its a free to work state.they can fire you if they dont like your hair.
  • kevracer brandi February 25, 2009 02:09:36
    kevracer
    http://www.nlrb.gov/
  • +2 raves
    Spider20 February 24, 2009 23:22:42
    Spider20

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    Taxpayers already do their fair share.....you buy a GM vehicle, you've contributed to the company retirement benefit program.......that aside, this is turning into just what I said it would.....once the door was opened, the companies will ask for more, and more, and more..........
  • +2 raves
    Tutboy February 24, 2009 20:09:16
    Tutboy

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    moderated...
  • +2 raves
    Moose ~ Pestilence February 24, 2009 20:07:28
    Moose ~ Pestilence

    No. It is not fair -- Get hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire at 48. Live to 90, get 42 years of pension and health benefits.

    However while I answer no it's not fair, there are people who have worked at GM for 45+ years, and retire when they are well into their 70's, my grandfather is one of them, and he deserves what he has, he worked hard for it.
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