The_One- "It’s got to be a GM employees(employee's) worst nightmare, to think they spend ½ there(their) lives being loyal to a company so they can say their(they're) “GM’ers” hoping to be that guy, but are shown up by a guy who loves to run, and a young Target employee with an endless motor." I have no idea what you are trying to say here- even after correcting your grammar. Can you explain this? Who is hoping to be what and why?

See, agreements can be made on a GM article... I think we all have to agree that "Target Man" is a hard working guy, and earns and deserves every penny he makes. He's like a local superhero.

Think about it, who else can you say is that famous around town where almost everyone knows who you're talking about without mentioning his name. I can only think of two, first was the gentlemen who always ran down Milton Ave, I called him the "Running Man" and now "Target Man". It’s got to be a GM employees worst nightmare, to think they spend ½ there lives being loyal to a company so they can say their “GM’ers” hoping to be that guy, but are shown up by a guy who loves to run, and a young Target employee with an endless motor.

Hey Gazette, you want to do an article about hard working, local people… Drop this GM crap, get a hold of “Target Man”, and sit down and chat with him for a while. It would be a breath of fresh air to hear from someone who busts his butt every day, for an $8.00/hour job, and thinks nothing of it. Beats hearing about buyouts, and unemployment extensions yet again, waiting for that golden egg to fall in peoples laps. Fine work “Target Man”, again I salute you. This lesson of harsh reality is brought to you by an unbiased voice of reason… Let your whining begin!

Everyone is so angry anymore and I can't help but think it comes from this idea that everyone has it better than me.

I go into a meeting every Monday and all I hear is--I am so busy. I don't like how that seems to imply the thought that I am busier than everyone else. You know what--labor in our country has taken some hits, everyone is doing the work of two people, and it doesn't help the conversation to talk as though it is only happening to you.

That's great! Now many of them can take their daily naps on their own "dime".

I could have written my latest thesis paper on GM in Janesville, but ultimately chose the Lowry war (Major kudos to whomever knows what that is off the top of their head). The interesting thing about Janesville is the lack of money sunk into the plant as a whole (based against other plants), but yet it's per employee efficiency profitability (2007) was second in the nation behind Arlington, TX, which was built in the 1990's (also built the same product). Janesville's GM plant was making Howitzer shells in WWII. The point is all of WI should be proud of its GM heritage

+1 to the Target guy, he rocks.

the_one: now that im no longer single(any target it seems is always loaded with hot chics:) the target dude you are talkin about is the kewlest part of the target experience

Ezoner, it seems that you are the one who thinks that the GM worker is better than you. What you are calling "chasing after the almighty $$$", really in fact is dedication to your job place. Yes the people that worked there chose to work in a Factory. It just so happened that the factory was GM. I do not know anyone of the workers at GM that think they are better than anyone else. In fact they are the first ones to help someone in need. They have proven it time and time again. Your little green jealous monster is showing it's ugly face. I am sorry that you think that GM workers are better than you, but that is your opinion, not anyone elses

Too bad that comments that call people idiots would be removed, or else I would call alot you people idiots.

Yah, denstirgraves45 were all real angry right now that GM’s gone, and the workers are unemployed. I mean, last I heard this City is going to be a ghost town and the County will suffer along with it (as two major hospitals are currently being built). It’s a very scary time right now because there are no jobs available; house values have sunk… blah blah blah.

The one thing I will agree with you on though is end these stupid GM articles, unless you like bring gasoline to a burning building

Wait, hang on… You can’t be serious. Hard Working… HA! You want to see hard working, go to Target. They got a little guy working there, who wears this traffic vest, and all he does all day is chase after 100’s of carts left by the lazy shoppers. That guy is everywhere. One man cleaning up after hundreds of shoppers too lazy to take their cart back to the store, for what, $7.00 or $8.00 an hour. Now that guy defines hard working. He does a thankless job, 100mph, and is always asking “Can I help you find something” gives a quick “have a nice day”, then poof, gone to the next task. For those of you who think GM workers are hard workers you’d be wise learning something about working hard from that guy. I salute you Target man, whatever your name is. Thanks for showing people what it’s like to work hard.

Oops didn't see the numbers. They are going to have a hard time getting them to take that. Especially the younger seniority workers.

Any word on the package?

Janesvillean, why can't more posters be logical, like you are? Thank you.

#1. GM Janesville closed before GM USA's bankruptcy.
#2. GM Janesville made big SUVs, some of the best selling and highest profit vehicles in GM's inventory.
#3. These GM vehicles sold very well even at prices rivaling that of Janesville housing stock.
#4. People were able to take advantage of the "house ATM" (home equity loans) and generous tax advantages to buy these expensive toys.
#5. People stopped buying SUVs as the housing crisis mounted and credit contracted.
.
Only a moron would say that the workers caused the plant to close. The plant was very successful for many years before there was a financial crisis out of its control.

Ezoner, no one said they were special. Most new comers had to take that job, in the late 50's that is all there was here besides farming! GM built Janesville, why is that so hard to understand? Change the culture to be more like our parents? Think about that sentence. Most of our parents (people born and raised here) either worked at GM or Jatco, so that theory can go right out the window! Sigma, no one is making up stories. My father worked at Jatco for 35 years and he wouldn't have had that job without GM. I also had a brother-in-law who died at GM and uncles who worked there and they worked hard. For your info none of them drank! Everyone of us has heard "tales" about GM but for goodness sakes, have you not noticed any cars or trucks manufactured there since the plant was first built? Way back when. Are you negative, jealous posters, getting it yet?

Give up Sigma. GM had tens of thousands of extra production people. When a company downsizes, guess what? There are extra people left over- salary and hourly, production and tradespeople. As for you claiming that you don't speak rumors or fairy tales, well, the cat's already out of the bag on that one! Go back and reread your posts and then hang your head in shame and embarrassment.

Neither do I Sigma I lived it all my life and still do.

Oh well.. Im just saying if GM tightened its belt sooner it wouldnt have too many tradesman on hand. I think the companies actions speak clearly... for whatever reasons people believe... by all means believe what you want. I dont speak of rumors and fairy tales though.

Ezoner where did you get that from? Nobody is saying they are any better than anybody. Sorry you feel so bitter. I don't see anybody on here complaining about working at GM. I know my family has never complained about working at GM they are greatful for such a good job. Don't lump everyone into the same catagory. I am also greatful for my dad's job at GM I had a good childhood. Hopefully I can give my kids just as nice of one.

For those complaining about the hours and work and missing family. You chose that job. You could have taken any job, but that was what you chose. You could have changed anytime, if your individual happiness was more important. The reality is, the almighty $$ was and you chose that over the time with family. Others work those hours without the benefit of rediculous pensions and healthcare plans. Get over it. You were not special, no matter what you may think.

It was this culture of entitlement that has brought down GM and likely a nation. It was this ulture of I am better than you because I think I work harder and im smarter, as opposed to a culture of I will will not lose at any personal cost, a culture of we will beat the foreign imports at any personal cost. That we will be the best instead of we are the best. GM, the corporate staff, all involved, got what was coming to them, as did many others in this country. The hope is that we wake up and change this culture to be more like our parents or grandparents.

Sigma40 can't really too much more to prove he is a fool. The jury was back long ago on that matter. Guilty as charged.

WOW way to go Gazette you block every other story where people can't make poor coments, but when its about bashing GM workers lets keep it comin, SHAME ON YOU!!!

Sigma- It seems I remember laying on my back in an oily pit welding under a conveyor with a co-worker spraying water on me every time my coveralls caught fire. I remember changing many 50-75 horse exhaust fans (weighing over 1/4 tons) on the roof in blizzards. I remember climbing down into man holes and standing in 2-3 feet of running ice cold water to change out pump motors. Yeah, we had it AWESOME!

Sigma40-I worked in that plant for over 30 years. I was in the trades. Everything you are stating as fact is, by your own admission, hearsay. Stop fabricating your fairy tales. You are only making yourself look more and more like a fool. If all of this got "tightened up" in the early 90's, why would GM wait more than a decade to close the plant because of something that happened so long ago? Your story makes no sense at all.

Sigma,you say that you are not bashing the skilled laborers, but really???? That is what you are doing. You are putting the blame of GM's demise totally on the backs of the workers, and that is not the truth. As with anything, there are many sides to the story, but the one that people want to talk about most is the laborers and how good they had it. They worked for everything they had and yes you will get a few bad apples in each and every factory, store, business, etc. Lay off of the GM laborer once and for all, it is not their fault as to what has happened. They just went to work their 40+ hours each week and did a great job. NeoBartly is right, you all are just a jealous bunch of people and can't see the good that the GM worker did in this town. You all make me sick

Sigma40? If your Trades friends are telling you this? Then it explains the ignorance to the truth. (must be the 2% group.)
Attempting to stir up Old, past methods of bashing for *giggles sake* is mundane. Others too have said, let it go.
This is not about Your fictional rantings, this story and opinion is about separation from GM roles/ with a incentives package to benefit BOTH parties involved.
We should stay in context, rite?

jocose - Im not bashing the skilled tradesman... I know a few. Very skilled people... Im just saying they had it not good... but AWESOME. Which im sure lead to the demise. They'd take new suburbans out bar hopping on their birthdays... during work hours. Their friends would punch them in and out while they stayed home and mowed the lawn. Their friends/them garages are fully furnished with everything paid for by GM. The people in charge ordered the stuff for them. When they needed a tool or something they'd go to the tool crib. The boss would say order 3, one for you, one for me, and one for work. Radios, starters, wheels, tires, antifreeze, oil, gasoline, tools, you name it... if it was in the plant... it could be yours....and legally done, paid and purchased by GM. This all got tightened up around the early 90's though. Johnny Cash's song... "One peice at a time".. jokes about the stuff people would take out of the plant. Its a funny song, but so true to a point.

Way to go NeoBartly, At some point the GM bashing has got to stop. This city has lost so much revenue do to the plant closings. Just look at all the for sale signs all over Janesville.

Oh Lordy, You just know those disgruntled, jealouis, self rightious, uneducated numb-skulls that always down GM workers will have a field day once YET AGAIN.
Do realize (to those whom it may concern), Skilled Trades means they had to goto college, get a degree, if not multiple degrees, continue education consistant with their trade. The extra hours spent doing so kept them from many family activities and for the self improvement of the families financial aspects deemed it necessary for extended work hours that YOU could not imagine. The true dedication I wittnessed by the GM Trades-Workers as I too was one, was that in every GROUP you have a couple that abuse a good thing, but 98% were dedicated, very very hard workering individuals; quite appropriately utilized for their knowledge and skills when called upon. Thats why ANY FACTORY has a skilled trade base of employees. If the know-it-all/ but know nothings that add to this forum would take a step back and use their Smarts, they may eventually see truths. (Verses talking out a different orafice.)
Over the 30 years that I devoted to one employer, through thick and thin times, and the many years of public outcry from non-GM persons... I must say that the majority of the Janesville GM Skilled Trades people I have worked with had made a grand addition to my years as a GM Employee. I have, would, and will always back-up my Brethern against any uncalled for character attacks.
Simply put to those whom ARE NOT, We lived it, worked it, suffered in uncountable ways from it, suceeded in our field to be the most productive/ up to date knowledgable in our craft/ sacrificed/ and are a mean azz dedicated sort that I dare any to throw a TRUE comparison to unknowing group that just enjoys bashing others. We Are a Quit Different Animal than your average-bear.
With GM wanting downsizing, and providing an incentive to separate from their payroles, FOR ANY EMPLOYEE anywhere, this is a nice deal. That is the Truth.
Instead of bashing, read the full story in Detroit News/ Business and Financial reports...
Otherwise,ehem...yes you know what your opinion is worth.

I just wish that all the speculations about GM & it's laborers would be over. Be happy that the laid off workers are getting a chance. This will eventually mean more consumer spending in this already depleted town. Laid off workers are not spending like they did when they had paying jobs. So let's just be happy for them instead of berating them.

Someone should write a tell all about the GM plant through the years.
Kidlets2 is right but Sigma is also right.
Would be a interesting read.

Actually he hits close to the truth painfully close.

As usual Sigma shows his ignorance. He has absolutely no idea of what he is talking about. Nothing could be further from the truth. His first hand knowledge is nothing but prevarication.

Does this mean GM is not coming back to Janesville?

I have 2 family members who are skilled trade at GM and Sigma they both work pretty hard.

Speaking from first hand knowledge... 75% of Skilled trades means you get a nice lazy boy. 6 paid hour lunch hours. Anything in the building is your free to take home. And they wonder why the place went under???