Benefits will end in 2010 for many ex-autoworkers
One year later
It's been almost a year since SUV production ended in Janesville, triggering layoffs that staggered Rock County. What's happened in the last year to the thousands of workers displaced by the end of production at General Motors and its supplier plants?
Actually, quite a lot, and not all of it has matched the doom and gloom some people predicted.
Today: When the benefits end, the local economy will crash. It's a broad statement made by many, but it's based on a premise that's difficult to pin down. Just when will the benefits end, and when can the community expect to see a peak of economic hardship?
Monday: Hundreds of former workers at the Janesville GM plant now are commuting to other plants, plants referred to as "Janesville South," "Janesville West" and "Janesville East." The decisions to transfer were painful and life-altering, but those who made them say it was the right thing to do for their families.
Tuesday: Transferring to another plant wasn't an option for hundreds of local workers, particularly those who didn't work at GM. With high hopes for new careers, many have instead decided to go to school under retraining programs for dislocated workers.
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JANESVILLE — When the benefits run dry, the local economy will be really parched.
That's been the refrain since General Motors announced in 2008 it would first trim and then end production at its storied Janesville assembly plant.
More than 3,000 workers in the local auto sector were laid off within a year. More than two-thirds of them worked at GM; companies that supplied the local plant displaced the rest.
Determining when the benefits end is difficult, and it involves a complex maze of state unemployment programs, emergency federal extensions and union contracts. It also entails—at least in Janesville—three very different employee groups laid off in phases as the local auto industry died.
For some of those workers, bits and pieces of the benefit package have ended or will end in coming months. Others can count on some sort of help into the middle of 2011.
All indications are, however, that the local economy could take the brunt of the benefit bust in the summer and fall of 2010.
Unemployment benefits
Generally, unemployed individuals are eligible for 26 weeks of regular benefits that now carry a maximum benefit of $388 per week.
But depending upon when they were laid off, workers might be eligible for up to 99 weeks of benefits because of a series of federal extensions. The extensions, which began in July 2008, have tacked 73 weeks onto the original 26 weeks.
Dick Jones, a spokesman for the state's Department of Workforce Development, said it's difficult to estimate when benefits will end for certain groups. But most workers laid off because of the GM closure still are collecting federal unemployment benefits, he said.
Both GM and its suppliers routinely furloughed employees in the past, particularly during mid-summer shutdowns and other periods of industry sluggishness.
"As a result, many workers for GM and its suppliers claimed unemployment prior to the layoffs that occurred when GM eliminated the second shift and ultimately closed the plant," Jones said. "The dates when these workers filed their first claim for unemployment insurance vary significantly.
"As a result, there is not one uniform starting date for benefits to different waves of layoffs."
General Motors
The automaker cut one of its two shifts of sport-utility vehicle production in Janesville in June 2008. It then announced all SUV production would end, and Janesville's final Tahoe rolled off the line Dec. 23.
The plant's medium-duty truck production ended in April.
From a benefits perspective, the 2,200 GM workers involved were better prepared for a layoff than the 998 employees at Lear Corp. or LSI, two local just-in-time suppliers to the plant.
Since the layoffs, a majority of the GM workers have taken matters into their own hands. As of Nov. 30, only 466 of the original 2,200 still were on layoff status, according to GM. Nearly 900 left the automaker under attrition packages, and more than 500 transferred to other GM plants.
United Auto Workers Local 95 represented the hourly workforces at GM, Lear and LSI, but their contracts differed in one key aspect. GM workers are eligible for Supplemental Unemployment Benefits, a program that complements state unemployment compensation to a level that's about 72 percent of gross income or 95 percent of take-home pay.
To understand where laid-off GM workers are today, it's important to understand where they were just 18 months ago.
When the first wave of GM layoffs hit in mid-2008, workers were eligible for just 26 weeks of state unemployment. They also received SUB pay to complement the state checks. When the unemployment checks were scheduled to end, SUB pay was expected to continue for another 22 weeks, providing GM workers with 72 percent of their gross income or 95 percent of their take-home pay for 48 weeks.
Then, the workers would move into another UAW-GM negotiated program: the Jobs Bank, which essentially paid workers most of their wages through the end of the contract, even if they weren't working.
The federal extensions on unemployment benefits and the automaker's bankruptcy changed all that.
Unemployment benefits were extended from 26 weeks to 99 weeks.
GM and the union agreed to eliminate the Jobs Bank program and make changes to the SUB pay program.
The modified 2007 national contract now provides 52 weeks of SUB pay for idled workers with more than 20 years of service on the date they were laid off. That ensures them 72 percent of their pay from the combination of unemployment and SUB pay or purely SUB pay when unemployment runs out.
At the end of those 52 weeks, the workers will move into a Transition Support Program and collect another 52 weeks at half pay.
Workers with 10 to 20 years get 72 percent SUB pay for 39 weeks and half pay for an additional 39 weeks. Those with fewer than 10 years get 26 weeks at 72 percent and 26 weeks at 50 percent.
The contract also reset the clock on SUB and TSP to June 1, 2009.
So what does that mean for those GM workers still laid off in Janesville?
For the most part, unemployment benefits will continue—barring any more extensions—for 99 weeks after the employee's layoff date. For workers laid off in the summer of 2008, they generally will end in May 2010. Those laid off in January 2009 and April 2009 generally will see unemployment compensation expire in December 2010 or March 2011, respectively.
SUB and TSP pay will expire at the end of May 2010 for workers with fewer than 10 years.
The date shifts to the end of November 2010 for workers with 10 to 20 years and May 2011 for those with more than 20 years.
Benefits, however, include more than supplemental unemployment income.
There's also the matter of health care, and the union and management addressed that when they modified the 2007 national contract.
Workers with fewer than 10 years lost their health care coverage in September.
Workers with 10 or more years get coverage for 25 months from the date they were laid off.
For the most part, GM laid off its workers in three waves: July 2008, January 2009 and April 2009. Depending on the date of their layoff, workers who still have health care coverage can generally expect it to end in August 2010, February 2011 or June 2011.
Lear Corp.
Displaced workers of the seating manufacturer are in a similar position as far as unemployment benefits, which generally will run for 99 weeks.
But they differ in other regards.
The 707 displaced Lear workers didn't have contract provisions for SUB pay. When their state and federal unemployment benefits run out, that's it.
And their health care coverage was clipped much more quickly than that of their UAW brethren at GM. It's been gone for months.
"Depending on the date of the layoff, the health care was extended from the end of that month for another three months," said Mike Vaughn, Local 95's shop committee chairman at Lear. "Fortunately, we were able to negotiate that with Lear."
Lear workers also were fortunate because they had access to another form of assistance not available to workers at LSI or GM.
The U.S. Department of Labor ruled in early 2007 that displaced Lear workers would be eligible for Trade Adjustment Assistance.
TAA status is granted when global competition displaces workers. It pays unemployment benefits beyond the expiration of state and federal programs and offers up to $15,000 for additional education and re-training for eligible workers.
In some cases, TAA extends benefits—either unemployment compensation or training expenses—for up to a total of 130 weeks for those workers who are enrolled in approved programs.
The original Department of Labor ruling was based on the local Lear operation's loss of welding work to a facility in Canada. Once Lear was approved for the program, any workers laid off through January 2009 became eligible, regardless of whether they were laid off because of foreign competition.
Workers at LSI were ruled ineligible for the same assistance in 2008 after the department determined that they didn't meet the program's guidelines because they didn't manufacture a product.
Earlier this year, GM workers learned that they, too, were ineligible because their layoffs were the result of domestic trouble rather than global competition.
Jones said that 570 local people are receiving TAA services, including displaced workers from Lear, Alcoa Wheel and United Star Industries in Beloit. Based on a cost estimate of about $10,000 per participant, the local workers are sharing in more than $5 million in TAA assistance, he said.
LSI
The situation for LSI employees who haven't found other work is the most cut-and-dried.
For the most part, they are eligible for up to 99 weeks of unemployment compensation. Depending on whether they were laid off in summer 2008 or early this year, their unemployment benefits will end in either May or November.
LSI employees also received five months of health care coverage after they were laid off. That expired months ago, as it did for the Lear workers.
May 16, 2010 at 10:37 a.m.
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I have taken the time to read all the posts so far and I am having trouble on where to begin. Is there jealousy out there? Sure. But I do not think all of these posts stem from that. I do find it odd that jealousy is the answer many of you are giving. Someone gives their opinion and someone else does not agree with it so it must be jealousy. This is not always the case. I never worked at GM but i do own a business in Janesville. I do know people that did work there and can say i have not heard the best practices coming from the union. I have heard about longterm employees being paid full time and not having to work the line to help increase productivity. At the end of the day if you had a job at GM you were paid a premium wage for the job you did. The Union got some good deals. But at the end of the day GM had to agree with the deal. I dont think GM or other auto companies brought down our economy. I think they were a victim of it all. In the end they lost their jobs. It sucks. I could not imagine having to face unemployment like some people have to do. In a group of that size you will always have the ones who take advantage and the ones who dust themselves off and move on. I do not think it is right to lump all of them into a group. Bottom line the workers and GM helped to build this city. GM benefits running out will not crush our local economy. We are talking about less that 5% of the cities population and less than 1% of the county. Our economy will continue to struggle like it has for the past couple of years. To all of the 3000 plus who lost their jobs i am truly sorry. I wish you all the best. If you are one of the group who is struggling to find a job and you are out there activly looking i feel for you. If you are part of the group who have sat around and collected your pay all while doing nothing. Well then you will get what you deserve when the well runs dry. Show some compassion. Understand that when you bash the union or the employees who lost their jobs. you are bashing a mother or a father or someone who has a family to take care of. It could just as easily been you on the receiving end of the pink slip and then i think alot of you would be looking at the situation a little differently.
May 15, 2010 at 11:55 p.m.
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PPPSSTTTT! Hey, Gazette! I think we can let this story go........
May 8, 2010 at 11:22 a.m.
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Benefits are ending Tuesday by the looks of things. Transfer notices went out to the remaining GM employees. No more unemployment, health insurance, or schooling if you do not relocate to another state, which looks like Ohio for this transfer.
May 8, 2010 at 11 a.m.
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I seen a tv show that showed a GM worker having to go to a differant state to work for GM and he was crying about it BOOO HOOO.He should be thankfull he has a job.
May 8, 2010 at 10:49 a.m.
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the one, you talk real smart now, but instead of placing the blame on the GM EMPLOYEES why not blame it on GM themselves? after all there the ones who signed that contract that said that THEY COULD AND WOULD pay that kind of money to these line workers, because they were making MILLIONS MORE! it's not there fault GM executives got greedy and started paying themselves MILLION DOLLAR bonuses! that was the real fall of the co...not the penny they paid these hourly workers...not at all!...you don't really have a clue...DO YA
Dec 23, 2009 at 12:13 p.m.
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I guess I should've sold my house 2 years ago....
Dec 22, 2009 at 7:44 p.m.
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Congrats Hank... Welcome to Justaguys now famous "Basher Club!" For you thoughts, you are now a lifetime member. Now, along with your membership, you will receive, criticism on all GM opinions warranted or not. But that’s not all… You will also receive a shiny new “Jealousy” pin… this pin is great when you talk about a wage or benefit that pertains to GM employees…(very nice). Lastly, you’ll go home with a brand new “Basher” T-Shirt, in your favorite color.
This shirt works wonders when matched with your “Jealousy” pin... You see, when you post something in negative light towards GM, their wages, benefits, or anything else other then how great GM is and how we will all need them in the long run, this fine t-shirt/pin combo will solve all their problems. It allows them to use their always popular 2nd grade response, when they cant come up with a better response! Fine work sir, and welcome to the club!
Dec 22, 2009 at 12:29 p.m.
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FortWayne....The vast majority of those against this bailout DO pay income taxes--as far as what percentage--who cares??? It's still "our" money that is being thrown away on this mess of a company.
Justaguy--Please get off of your soapbox:) People aren't jealous of the unemployed autoworkers. I do feel for them--They have a rough road ahead, and most took few skills that they could apply to other jobs in the area. They did have a safety net provided to them by the government though, and for that they should be grateful.
Dec 22, 2009 at 9:55 a.m.
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hank: I'm going to guess your the other half? ... but I bet you wish you could have been their half. Just another GM basher filled with Jealousy, i'm sure you can't wait for the year to pass by so you can come back when the benifits do run out and do some more bashing. Just another sad person, almost feel sorry for you ... NOT.
Dec 22, 2009 at 5:38 a.m.
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As for those who like to stand up and represent the American tax payer keep in mind the wealthiest 1 percent of the population earn 19 percent of the income but pay 37 percent of the income tax. The top 10 percent pay 68 percent of our nation's taxes. The bottom 50 percent(those below the median income level) earn 13 percent of the income but pay virtually no income tax (3%). Often I find individuals who like to inform me how they are completely against the U.S. government using "their" tax dollars to bail out a failing automobile company. My point is not to debate whether a GM/Chrysler taxpayer-sponsored bankruptcy reorganization was the right/just/moral thing to do. Rather I would like to remind some that they may not actually be an "income tax-payer." -The above numbers were cited from the Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov).
Dec 22, 2009 at 5:06 a.m.
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For years I have read and heard about GM employees making 95% of their pay while laid off. By the grace of God Fort Wayne experienced virtually no lay offs until American Axel went on strike in early 2007. At that time I ran the numbers based on a 40 hour work week and between Indiana unemployment and my sub benefit. My gross unemployment plus sub for being laid off was closer to 60% (less than) of my gross wages while working. My sub benefit was almost half of what my Indiana unemployment insurance paid. The math simply does not add up to 95% of MY gross, at least not in my situation. This does not include Federal, State, and local taxes which also must be deducted. My point is the bulk of what I receive is from the State of Indiana, not General Motors, not the UAW. Anyone laid off from any employer earning similiar wages in Indiana will receive the bulk of what I do. The sub benefit cannot be ignored, but it simply does not add up to 95% of a General Motors employee's gross pay.
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:02 p.m.
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theone: The truth hurts? I never worked at GM it's just you green with envy GM bashers are so sad. I'd have to say it's you bleeding with anger from that loooong blog filled with so much Jealousy, oneday you might get over it and your anger but i'm sure we'll see you again in about a year when the benifits do run out. Lets see how much anger and Jealousy fills your blog then.
Dec 21, 2009 at 6:40 p.m.
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bigsmurf.....Unfortunately there is no money left with which to extend benefits. The states are experiencing huge deficits, and the Federal government seems too busy spending trillions fighting wars overseas, propping up companies that are destined to fail and aimlessly attempting to overhaul a health care system. We're all in for a really rough ride......
Dec 21, 2009 at 4:34 p.m.
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There are more people who will be losing benefits in 2010 in Janesville if something doesn't happen real soon. There are no jobs around here, and I don't foresee any coming anytime soon. It's a shame that Janesville has gone under this quick and there's more to come in the near future. Unemployment is going to have to keep extending benefits if they don't want people to live on the streets- or do they not care?
Dec 21, 2009 at 2:17 p.m.
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I am not surprised at all by the comments people have made in this thread about people noticing that Kansas City residents do not have ill will towards GM employees. The reason is pretty simple. Kansas City is a successful large American city that actually has lots of white collared jobs where people make great money. And because of that, the city is filled with many educated individuals who can find work that pays a lot more than a line worker's salary. This results in them having better things to do in life instead of constantly saying "woe is me" and "why does that guy get paid so much?" I really do picture everyone who spews hatred towards GM line workers as dumb rednecks who should have gotten a better education. If you already a job that pays well you don’t care about what auto workers made, you focus on the fact that they lost their job and hope they find a new one.
Dec 21, 2009 at 1:32 p.m.
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I feel sorry for those running out of unemployment and graduating this summer from BTC. Good luck finding work. I have over 50 resumes out and I've only managed two interviews. I took one job, which doesn't even pay what I made on unemployment. Even if I wanted the benefits my company offers, I couldn't afford them. I'm one of the first to graduate under the TAA program, because I started part time about a year before the layoffs began. There is NO work. Most positions are being taken by those with bachelors degrees or higher. The only ones who may find work are the ones who took health care related schooling. That said, even those positions are filling up quickly and many employers want some experience. The true nature of Janesvilles problems won't manifest themselves until the end of next year. By then, most if not, all benefits will be exhausted. I don't see the job market picking up much before then. There is really nothing on the table locally that looks overly promising. I hate to sound negative, but the facts are the facts. Even moving is tough, because nearly everyone looks to hire locally. Good luck with a resume the reads "Former Lear/GM/LSI worker from Rock County," who's been unemployed for two years.
Dec 21, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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I hope we all realize it is affecting all of us no matter what we do. Gm is just a part of a many piece puzzle. As the pieces get pulled one by one it affects the rest. People really? If you have nothing better to do than bash people for were they work or worked. You are narrow minded and choose to read only one article of many. I am ashamed of the way people who are I am guessing adults treat others. I hope all have a very Happy Holiday and find all in good health. Sorry for the ones who need to bash to be happy.
Dec 21, 2009 at 12:08 p.m.
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Now when 2010 comes around will the gazette stop writing about the GM workers its really none of their business! Not every worker from GM is whiners I love it when janesville calls us generous motors it always makes me laugh, I pay my taxes I try to help out in my community my kids go to school here even though my husband works in another state we try to make everything work and for some reason people that talk nasty about us well your just a brush off our shoulders times are rough for everyone in their own way so stop!
Dec 21, 2009 at 12:04 p.m.
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I think it's clear that Janesville's leadership is very much still in the denial stage and will be until someone can bring vision for change. They have also missed great opportunities to move forward by not taking advantage of the stimulus billions available for the taking if they could have come up with ideas to use it for. What businesses will want a work force that was heavily and powerfully unionized, considered by some to be generously spoiled with high wages and benefits and have now sat idle for the past year? I think the city council should hold a séance and ask the spirit of Ken Hendricks what a man of vision would do! Or maybe start listening to ideas outside of their box!!!
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:59 a.m.
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A God... No, by no means am I Him. Lets just say I'm "Justaguy". And the sounds of your anger in your post, I'd say I hit the nail on the head... What do they say, "The truth hurts"?
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
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First I would like to address all the people who call the GMers whiners or cry babies. I don't recall any GM employee on any of these blogs "crying or whining". They have all been put into a situation that they have no control over. Most are making the best of their situation by transferring or going back to school. As for the 95% of pay, it doesn't happen. Each employee is given a different amount of SUB, determined by the amount of dependents they have. So a single (not married) GM employee gets closer to 75-80% of their pay. It's still a great wage and I don't think any of them are complaining about it. Oh, by the way it's that "terrible union" that got them those benefits. Please stop putting these people down for making a decent wage for themselves and families. Most, not all, GMers are very hard working people, most work physically harder than the average person, and believe it or not physical labor is harder then mental labor, I've done both, I know. By the way if most of the city thought you were overpaid, would you volunteer to take a paycut? I don't think so.
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
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I understand these GM people were so maxed out on credit that they had to either sink or swim but what I don't understand is why they would move hundreds of miles away from their spouse, children, family and friends. What kind of life can these people REALLY be having ? Driving back home every week or on special occasions. After all of the added stress and expenses they can't be coming much ahead as compared to getting a closer average paying job. I see many broken hearts and many divorces in the near future :(
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:29 a.m.
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I have been unemployed for over a year!! I even got turned down to be a stock person at Sears. 12 years at the same employer (not GM) and out without a thing. Nothing but plain unemployment for me, no training, no sub pay, no insurance. I am paying out the nose for COBRA. This stinks on ice for everyone around here, not just those involved in the auto industry. I was also turned down for a file clerk job, too overqualified, what a joke just give me the job, I am sure I could do it just fine. All we want is a chance. If I could move (ex husband and joint custody interfere with that scenario) I would do it in a heartbeat. Also who would buy my house I saved so hard to get in the first place. Getting very discouraged in Janesville, and not sitting on my butt waiting for a handout, just want a job.
Dec 21, 2009 at 11:17 a.m.
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you know who has 5 vehicles as top sellers right now not honda or toyota general motors.im glad gm left janesville . good luck janesville in getting business to move into janesville. you have nothing to offer but a bunch of whiners and complainers about union. if you dont like unions then why dont you quite watching the packers, brewers.you wont buy a union made vehicle. quite watchin gyour union teams.
Dec 21, 2009 at 10:18 a.m.
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Justaguy......you sound like someone who is quite ignorant:) I completely understand that the factory workers were also taxpayers. They probably total .0001% of the US taxpayer population. Does it make sense to spend over $60 Billion to maintain--not save--a couple of thousand jobs? This bailout, disguised as a loan, was an incredible waste of money. We should be bashing GM--they're losing billions of our dollars with no end to it in sight. There seems to be no accountability, no plan, no structure......
But you're right justaguy--shame on me for bashing such a wonderful American icon--the deeper in debt that go and the more they drain our resources--they should be praised as an example of how to live the American dream:)
Dec 21, 2009 at 10:13 a.m.
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Janesville will suffer when those benefits run out and people are not shopping in stores, not eating at restuarants, not giving to charities, unable to pay taxes.......we will all suffer the loss of some very hard working people who were paid very well for there work. Can we take all of this hate and negative energy and redirect it to doing what we can to support our community. We need each other to keep our community together and prosperous!
Dec 21, 2009 at 10:08 a.m.
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tickle: You are right, the people who lost their jobs that ended up with next to nothing do deserve our sympathy and our prayers and they have mine. I just don't understand all these GM bashers that bleed green with envy but say they aren't jealous, you can see right through them. They lost their jobs and had a union "good or not" behind them so they were protected for up to 2 years so you bash them? Grow up people.
Dec 21, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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First of all not everyone hired in right out of highschool i for one was 26 and then it was only because a friend of mine talked me into applying with her, wished i had though cause then i would have had my 30 in and on the company not being able to stay afloat because of the union do you realize that gm made a pure profit of at least 10 to 20 thousand (probably on the low side) on each vehicle we made now multiply that by how many daily weekly or monthly we produced.And people think we were paid to much in wages and benefits?
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
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theone: You must think your GOD? you have all those GM and Lear people figured out? just your way of bashing them, get a clue and move on.
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
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It isn't GM bashing. I, like many others, are tired of hearing about the poor GM employees who lost their job. Notice in the article, many employees have spent 2009 with no job, but getting 95% of their pay. Now they are finally confronted with the fact that they need to go out and find a job. My cousin lost her job when the plant closed. Not only does she get almost her full pay, but she also is going to school for free. Yes, its too bad the plant closed, but the employees have been pretty well taken care of. How many other people out there who have lost their jobs this past year are getting 95% of their pay? Not many. Those are the people who deserve our sympathy
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:52 a.m.
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beer2: It sounds like you might not have a union where you work? Is everything perfect at your job that you need no changes? meaning if you did have a union to stand up for you you wouldn't need to go on "strike" as you say to make things better? I'll bet you'd be the first to want to strike. I don't agree with everything about unions but they do come in handy when needed, I just don't like the workers that will abuse the union. Yes people like you will bash GMers bcuz you didn't have what they had so now you'll kick them while you think they are down, Like I said I never worked at GM but to bash someone bcuz of your Jealousy when they have lost their job and now you read they will be losing their benifts "in a year" makes you a pretty sad person, let's just hope it never happens to you.
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:47 a.m.
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I for one love the "Jealousy" argument... I have to say GM problems are self-made by the employees. I mean come on! How can a company stay a float paying people in the area of $30.00/hr for line work? To compensate for the high wages and costly benefits, prices of the vehicles need to rise... Then gas prices hit 4.00/gallon (not GM or the workers fault)... Sales drop hard, yet no wage decrees, until it's too late. Now plants close and people lose jobs.
Now to take blame off the employees, they say, "It’s the unions fault"... but the union is nothing more then the employees vote. So the plant closes and 3000 plus workers are out of a job, not working, and making 95% of their wage for the next two years.
Now I have to give people like Mollyd5 credit... You could have sat there and felt sorry for yourself, collected unemployment for as long as you could, and been mad at "GM or Lear" when it all ended. Instead you stood up dusted yourself off and took advantage of your options and will most likely survive, and better yourself.
If the talk from the 3000 plus employees were I'm going back to school and am going to better myself or my situation or I'll do whatever it takes to better my situation, then I think there would be less "bashing".
I understand that most of the line workers came right out of high school, and thought they could land that "Golden Egg", thinking...All I have to do is graduate high school and get into GM then I'll be set. Now it's ending and life without GM is a scary reality for many unprepared employees that have no backup plan.
The way I look at it is there are three types of people coming out of GM. #1 Those who took buyouts, or were able to transfer. #2 People like Mollyb5 who took the time to better themselves. Last but not least #3 the people that are sitting at home doing nothing and waiting for someone to "bail them out", but realizing that time is running out and think "Now what am I going to do?" These are the people that are causing GM employees to have a bad name.
So "Jealousy"? I can't call it that... It's more like announce and let’s move on already!
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:32 a.m.
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916wi: You hit the nail on the head "the tax payer's money" was put into GM/the UAW and the autoworkers for the bail out but you forget those people are tax payers. Your wrong about when the bashing started tho, it was long before the bail out ever happened and so what if they made the choice to put 30+ years into factory work, it sounds like your trying to belittle them. No I think your just another one of those GM bashers but trying to hide under sheeps clothing.
Dec 21, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
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you have to remember if lsi and lear didnt like the union vote it out just like woodmans did
Dec 21, 2009 at 8:49 a.m.
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You can read these statements and judge for yourself the true human condition in this area.
To rebut, or reply is simply an act upon your own personal condition.
This is a fare warning (Gazette Story) to business, health, and local establishments for the up comming changes that will impact the area. In economic terms they now have to their benifit a three tier schedual to go by, so in preperation they can readjust for the future. Take heed of the information provided.
The impact will reflect upon the area recieving less gov finacial supplimentals. Population determining some of those funds. Sources impacted by the closure will also loose benifits that came from just having the business here.
When this began a year and a half past, at first we ignored the GM bashers and let them have their day. We also commended those whom saw the bigger picture of what was yet to come. The time is near of that matter. People should worry about what the area will loose next after the trickle down effect starts. Quality education needs funds for supplies; just to name one area affected. When Janesville looses those funds, where do you think Janesville will get the money to make up the difference? Since GM is the dead-dawg now and cannot be blamed for the areas struggles and strife anylonger, the bashers will have to locate a new sub economic adversary, may I offer up a few you can switch gears on? Seeing your stuck on the old without a New Bad Guy Business to blame. Try the new Dean Hospital staff? Or, attempt to roll it upon the city government? Yah could blame the NFL? Or higher state government as an alternative. Oh, lets see...whom else can we blame locally so they feel like dirt too, hmmm. It always makes me feel better as a person to press blame, rather than show compassion. And you know it was never ever your fault. Just bash away. Pay way more for goods and services, and like it. The trickle down is about to commence.
Dec 21, 2009 at 8:03 a.m.
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916WI i can understand where you are coming from about the bailout loans i kinda felt the same way when we handed the big financial companies many more billions of dollars. But you are wrong about that being the beginning of the negativity, the negativity in this community has been around for years if not decades.
Dec 21, 2009 at 7:49 a.m.
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This shouldn't be about the future of the ex-employees, GM or the others. Whether you like it or not, even the most generous of benefits will be GONE in 2011. MOST of the people will lose them this summer. What this should be about is whether or not Janesville is capable of attracting new employers that pay wages comparable with what was being earned before. If not, prepare for an onslaught of business failures, and housing devaluation as former employees are forced to spend less, and seek lower cost housing, or worse yet, to simply up and leave the area for greener pastures. Put away your petty disagreements and wise up. We are all in this together. Sitting back and smirking at those who lost their jobs is just digging your own grave. Get proactive. Buy local EVERY TIME YOU CAN. Support your small businesses, as they are what will keep this town alive. Be nosey, ask if they pay their people a living wage. If their entire workforce consists of the very young, or the very old, you can almost bet the wages are low. Be choosey where you spend your dollars. Sometimes getting the lowest price may not be the smartest purchase in the long run. Together we can get through this.
Dec 21, 2009 at 7:40 a.m.
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oh my the poor babies
Dec 21, 2009 at 6:40 a.m.
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I won't bash GM workers, my complaints are with local 95 and the lack of representation and support for the the LSI workers. Just shut up and pay your dues was the attitude...
Dec 21, 2009 at 5:58 a.m.
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You hit the nail on the head FortWayne in one respect and completely missed in another. I really don't think many people were "jealous" of GM employees. You couldn't pay me enough to do factory work as a career. Quality of life is so much more important--I did jobs like that when I was going to college, but to be stuck in one for 30+ years, that would never have been in the cards. So good for them for making what they did while they did it.
The negativity really came into play when the government entered the picture and used a massive amount of taxpayer money to bail GM, the UAW and the autoworkers out. Americans were thrown the "it's too big to fail" speech, all while knowing that there was no way that it wouldn't fail. Here we are, after pumping more than $60 BILLION of our taxpayers dollars into a company that has a business structure that simply cannot compete. Are Americans just supposed to sit back and take it as billions more of their money are thrown at this black hole to subsidize factory worker/management salaries that are 2 to 3 times than those of employees in other markets? I think that people have a right to be a little jaded......
Dec 21, 2009 at 4:39 a.m.
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I have noticed the exact same thing burbanmom wrote about. The difference on how you are treated in the 2 places is mind boggling. And telling.
Dec 21, 2009 at 1:33 a.m.
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I'm actually impressed that there are not as many GM employee bashers posting, as there were this last summer when GM was facing bankruptcy. I moved from Janesville to Fort Wayne in 1987, but did not begin working for GM until 1997. Janesville will always be my hometown, but I am embarassed at the jealousy and pronounced hatred there is for a community's fellow neighbor. Like a post I saw about people in Missouri, most would be surprised at the heart-felt concern from people in other state's communities for General Motors employees, as well as anyone facing a job loss or forced relocation. I am surprised at how many people have no clue the pay or benefits that GM employees receive, nor do they care here in Fort Wayne. Often they tell me; "well, I couldn't do that kind of work for any amount of money." They are not referring to the difficulty of work a GM employee endures, but the mindlessness of doing repetative labor. Of course during times of tight labor markets, most will do whatever it takes to supply their family with a place to sleep and food to eat. General Motors employees (those who are left) are not out of the woods yet. I give the company 18 months to Chapter 7 (complete liquidation). I am thankful for the positive reports the media is giving The new General Motors LLC following the bankruptcy of General Motors Corporation this previous summer. At least the media is giving the company as well as the remaining employees a second chance, for which I will be forever grateful.
Dec 20, 2009 at 10:03 p.m.
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Here we go again and all you bashers have to look at what this area did lose and it was alot!! The ones who have next to nothing have felt the impact of GM workers and their support of our community for years. Now these bashers had they been fortunate enough to work at Gm would have a different tune if they were where GM workers are. Good luck to all the workers who have lost their jobs, and I hope they find something soon.
Dec 20, 2009 at 9 p.m.
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I was unemployed for eight-weeks in 2008 and so I can understand what it means to be looking for work. The article was about the impact to the local economy due to job losses surrounding former autoworkers. It is interesting how people like to engage in finger-pointing, bottom line all of these people lost their jobs. A rational person would find it inconcievable that the local people directly affected by the resulting job loss played any direct role in the resulting lay-offs. I don't see anybody blaming people for buying more house than they could afford, racking up tens of thousands of dollars in credit card debt, car loans, etc.
What about the unemployed service members leaving active duty in our Armed Forces or the National Guard and Reservists coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan having served our country only to find out their jobs no longer exist?
Dec 20, 2009 at 8:59 p.m.
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The one thing i love about the kansas missouri area is people have lives they don't care if you work for gm ford walmart or whatever in fact while shopping at walmart i actually had a employee (upon discussing gm and my situation)say they hoped everything went well for us and that they would be praying for us. Now coming from where i come from that totaly blew me away. Someone that makes less than myself sounded like they really cared.
Dec 20, 2009 at 8:56 p.m.
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People who transfer will see it not that bad. It is nice to leave Janesville and see all the former union officials have to work. They are in complete shock. It is said Local 95 was a strong union. In my opinion it was made up of lazy work restricted people. Sorry local 95 your daddy can't run my local.
Dec 20, 2009 at 8:43 p.m.
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DC. will take care of you
Dec 20, 2009 at 7:04 p.m.
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aawihsoh: says It's pretty obvious they did not. They had a good union as far as benefits go, anyone can lose their job .... wise up.
Dec 20, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
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(justaguy) says they had a good union. It's pretty obvious they did not.
Dec 20, 2009 at 6:44 p.m.
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I'm not a GMer but why would anyone still bash them bcuz they are running out of unemployment? I'm sure if you were in their shoes you'd be telling a diff story, "The GM dudes simply had their hands held for too long and I look forward to seeing them in the "real" workforce here in Janesville" They had real jobs they were just lucky enough to have a good union behind them, I guess janesville still has the "green with envy" people even tho GM is gone.
Dec 20, 2009 at 6:14 p.m.
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The situation these GM workers are in is unfortunate. I feel for the LSI and Lear corp employees who didn't have the same benefits the GM people did. The GM dudes simply had their hands held for too long and I look forward to seeing them in the "real" workforce here in Janesville. Good luck to you all.
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