Brad,
Yes, I completely agree with you on all points. My experience with the trades is extensive.
I am an Executive Officer of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. As i have negotiated many a union contract in the field of machinists along side the machinists unions and AFl-CIO. My experience covers a wide range of industries, beginning with United Parcel Service employees, Loomis Fargo drivers, Print paper drivers and warehousing, machining and teachers and finally, the sanitation industry.
I know first hand the impact on the machining industry here in the USA. While I am excited that a person like ANDY and his fine company would like to try and build production engines here in the States, It will be next to impossible to produce them at a reasonable cost given the parameters of todays business models.
Cheap work can be found, but at what expense? The customer, the company, the hobby? Its not an easy task to undertake. Re-tooling costs have to be made up at price-point. This factor raises the price of parts considerably.
In a period of time in our nations history, 72% of everything that is manufactured by american companies is done overseas. Its an ugly fact, but a fact nonetheless.
That doesn't leave much for the american machinists. Price-point impacts are higher on most "start-up" projects and that usually, as the trends are going, sends the work to the pacific rim, china and mexico.
Until our respective goverment reduces the need for foreign workers at slave wages, this trend can be expected to continue. Everyone looks the other way as long as it doesnt affect them directly.
The real losers in this economic equation are the USA consumers and the business that try an keep things american made. As I said in a previous post, the capabilities of the american machinist are second to none in my book, however, in the business world, they are not even considered. Todays business models are based around logistics and cost controls. There are large companies like UPS that take american companies overseas and wipe out american jobs for the sake of saving a few bucks. There is big money in logistics and logistical support. This new effort called "global marketing" is the death of the American machinist.
Dont be troubled by your impressions of my opinions, I, on a daily basis deal with the realities of commerce, trades and the infringement on the American workers.
I lobby here in sacramento with senators and congressmen to limit the outsourcing of labor related jobs and industries.
I can see the other side of the coin on the issue of american made engines. You may believe that I am synical, but not really, i am a professional, and sometimes you have to accept reality for what it is.
I respect your thoughts as you eloquently put them.
Peace.
Rey Garcia
It's always interesting to read a trade unionist blame every short coming on the business sector.
EXACTLY how many jobs have been created by the unions?
To get to the root of the matter, first consider the inputs required in any endeavour. There are three components - land, capital, and labor. Someone has to have the land (building, equipment and business) then there is the need for the capital (money) and of course the people to perform the tasks (labor).
Some guy takes the risk and buys some land, erects a building and equips it with machinery. He does this to service a perceived need or to fill a void in the market. He makes a deal with the buyer to fill that void. He hires people when he cannot handle all the work by himself. He does all this in the hope of making a profit (wage for himself) after paying off his mortgage, his equipment loans and his labor cost. But, then along comes a self professed savior, whispers in the ear of the employees that they are being sold short so they form a union and strike or threaten to shut down the business in demand for greater wages. The business owner, due to commitments, must now pay this ransom or move his land and capital to another country because the third component, labor, has fallen out of his equition. End result, jobs go elsewhere.
You want to talk reality - this is it ! No more isolation dogma - the world is the market place.
Net result: job losses. Your answer: greedy business!! Perhaps these same trade unionist could help the cause and create new businesses. Yeah, when donkey's fly. They only know how to take a pay cheque, not create one !
Labor Strikes! You know what I say to that - don't bitch, just switch. If you don't like the wages being offered, go some where else. Can't get more over there? Then accept what is being offered. Don't contribute to the death of a venture because you THINK you are worth more.
A memorable quote of a local teamster when a company shut down due to union demands - We did not think they were serious? Think I am making this up? Look up the response of Alltrans Express, based in Australia, when the Canadian component was held for ransom (Strike) by the union, demanding a raise when the company said they could not afford one. I was a branch manager so I know of what I speak.
While your post was well written and eloquent, it begs a response from the other side. You know, the side that takes a risk and puts up the money to create a businesss, only to be told by an outside source, how to run it. We are not talking about a boat race here. Since you allude to being so well versed in the ways of the business community, you could profit from your knowlege and create the ideal business model.
SHOW ME THE MONEY !
Take your socialism back to the countires that were destroyed by or are trying to escape that dogma! ! As Roger Penske was quoted as saying, or words to that effect, "Don't tell a man how to spend his money ! "
Peace to you Rey Garcia. When is the last time you had to produce something that was competitively marketable? Remember, we are talking globally now.
Myron ( a Canadian who sees his country going to hell in the same hand basket as the USA )
