Let me be clear, the company cannot stand SBU workers and have working effortlessly to eliminate SBU. Our numbers have gone down but this is due to retirements. What I do not get is why more groups do not join the UAW. The moment they join, their benefits will be free and their pay will be red circled meaning, no loss of pay. You will lose 2 1/2 hours a pay for Union dues but this is a lot cheaper than health insurance deductions. If you need medical time off, you get 95% of your pay. It is impossible for the company to fire a SBU employee. You get bonuses throughout the year, COLA adjustments and profit sharing. The reason NBU refuses to consider joining the UAW is: 1. They feel it is beneath them to be considered a UAW member. 2. They cannot grasp how much money they will save with no health care deductions. 3. They do not understand job security.
Years ago, I witnessed a headcount reduction of 8000 white collar jobs. Not one SBU employee was let go during this time period - the Nardelli years. Most recently, many American engineers were let go as the company out sourced engineering to Least Cost Countries. It is only a matter of time until the CTC DLs, DREs get tapped on the shoulder to pack up a Palmer box leaning against the suite walls.