When does production start again?

[Dkretden]

The UAW isn't the real issue. It's literally JUST the stay at home orders.

I have a sneaky suspicion that if the UAW showed leadership and passion at wanting to work with the auto companies to proactively enhance safety (which may include, in addition to all the stuff being done at European plants, older US workers or those with comorbidities staring home a while longer) AND then walked into the Democratic Governor’s office and vociferously advocated for a reopening, the Gov would allow it. The reason she isn’t, IMO, is that she is pandering to the waffling unions leadership.

millions of Americans are working in factories, trucking, warehouses, food supply, power plants, refineries, etc right now — they are deemed “essential” and they and their employers have figured it out. The auto companies are restarting in Europe with the HELP of the unions to get it right. Here, it looks like the UAW just wants to shrug its shoulders so it can politically blame someone else. It’s shameful, IMO. THIS is the time where unions can prove that they make a difference. THIS is the time that they can lead. This is the time that they can work with the companies to design the right protocols. THIS is the time that their members can look to them for support and guidance about the new normal in the workplace. THIS is where they can demonstrate value for their members. Instead, they appear (from the quotes that I am reading in the press) shrugging and saying “gee, I just don’t know.....”. Bullshit. If what I am reading is being interpreted correctly by me, then the UAW membership needs to toss these do nothing bums out in the next election and get real leaders in.

if the USW leadership doesn’t believe it to be safe then they need to say so. Then they need to say the things that must be fixed before they would agree to reopen. This is about leadership. I don’t see it.

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[rickinAZ]

Not sure that I want a Jeep produced during the pandemic. Forum members are somewhat skeptical of Jeep build quality as it is without adding a bunch of angst into the equation. That said, I hope that the plant workers can get back to work - just not at a risk to their health. The sheltering-in-place appears to be working well.

As for the lack of financial preparedness by many of us, I can distinctly remember an apropos posting in this forum. The gist of it was that a member had just bought four 35" tires, but needed to save up for the matching spare. Really? This is how the nation gets itself into financial trouble.

 

[nerubi]

The Toledo newspaper just published a story saying Jeep is planning to reopen the plant on the 4th although starting at a reduced capacity. The state governor says they can start if they follow state guidelines. But both the local and national UAW presidents are saying they don't think the plant is safe to work in. They have allowed some union members in the plant to modify cafeterias, rest rooms, assembly line stations. But the UAW leaders are saying that the plant air system will spread the virus. Based on the size of the plant and my experience designing air systems this isn't really a valid concern. They could add some UV lights to the air systems to mitigate possible virus cycling through the air handlers to reduce that issue. And if virus circulating through air handling systems is a concern they should shut down all grocery stores, government offices, etc. A bigger problem is even though they will check temperatures of workers before coming in the plant, it has been shown people are contagious up to 5 days before symptoms appear.

 

[ads75]

Financial experts have said for decades people should have a six month cash reserve for times like this. I know, you are saying people don't get paid enough to do that. Many do but don't save. People can't think further than the next day. They would rather have homes, cars, phones, vacations and on and on that they overspend on instead of becoming more self-reliant. And if you have been working at the McDonalds drive thru for years at the age of 40 then you should have obtained a better skill set. Instead most want the government to bail them out. And how many would love to have 88% of pay for not working? Don't complain about the cost of a car if you think that is ok. Maybe another good depression would help most people learn the lessons that those who lived through it in the 30s learned.

I definitely agree people should have a six month cash reserve. Sure would be nice if some of these corporations getting bailouts did too.

 

[Dkretden]

The Toledo newspaper just published a story saying Jeep is planning to reopen the plant on the 4th although starting at a reduced capacity. The state governor says they can start if they follow state guidelines. But both the local and national UAW presidents are saying they don't think the plant is safe to work in. They have allowed some union members in the plant to modify cafeterias, rest rooms, assembly line stations. But the UAW leaders are saying that the plant air system will spread the virus. Based on the size of the plant and my experience designing air systems this isn't really a valid concern. They could add some UV lights to the air systems to mitigate possible virus cycling through the air handlers to reduce that issue. And if virus circulating through air handling systems is a concern they should shut down all grocery stores, government offices, etc. A bigger problem is even though they will check temperatures of workers before coming in the plant, it has been shown people are contagious up to 5 days before symptoms appear.

You are correct on the asymptomatic period. I have read that it’s more like 3-days but the point is the same. Further, I am reading that only about 30% of patients with COVID even develop a fever. That’s why it seems that many States and companies are moving to a short 3-5 question “health check form” that includes coughing, temps, “contact with a known or suspected case”?, and a few other items I believe. And let’s not forget masks —- European VW plants are giving employees 2 masks a day and are to be worn at all times on shift. Masks dramatically cut the asymptomatic spread, it seems.

as for the HAVC system, I live in a residential highrise with (are the called?) “cooling towers” on top. I have been googling COVID and HAVC systems and I have not found a single proven report globally that COVID has (or even can) spread this way. Quite the contrary, most everything that I have read seems to point to a conclusion that COVID cannot spread that way. If the UAW is concerned, GOOD. Now The UAW should hire HAVC experts and should bring them in along with State or commercial epidemiologists to take a look and, once confirmed that it’s not an issue, the UNION can agree, explicitly, that the AC is safe. Fear-mongering is easy. Leadership is much harder. The virus is NOT going away for years (until a vaccine). Smart leadership by companies and unions and politicians and scientists/doctors is going to be needed to figure out what the new normal is. Just like they are doing right now, in Europe.

 

[viper88]

I definitely agree people should have a six month cash reserve. Sure would be nice if some of these corporations getting bailouts did too.

There will be a lot of business that will not open back up. That means a lot of unemployment even once business start to open. Plus it will be a very soft start. Then there is the possibility of inflation. Savings will not buy the same amount of goods and services. I don't know if 6 months will be enough for a lot of people? America's great, great, grandkids will still be paying for this pandemic by the time it's over.

 

[Dkretden]

An interesting article from Reuters..... VW and BMW in Europe are restarting. As I posted above, this article also outlines several of the proactive policy changes that companies, working with the unions, have put in place. Leadership.


European carmakers restart production as coronavirus lockdowns ease (goggle this title if you can’t bring up the link below)

https://apple.news/AVvTwaQ-TQzObUiaaE2fOkw

 

[rickinAZ]

There will be a lot of business that will not open back up. That means a lot of unemployment even once business start to open. Plus it will be a very soft start. Then there is the possibility of inflation. Savings will not buy the same amount of goods and services. I don't know if 6 months will be enough for a lot of people? America's great, great, grandkids will still be paying for this pandemic by the time it's over.

Agree. Another interesting question: Where, exactly, did the money go? No one is throwing it into a blast furnace. It's still all out there, it's just been reallocated further away from our poorer citizens. I am a huge believer in capitalism, but if the ultra rich keep accumulating wealth (in some cases in questionable ways), there will be real division in this country. And, I'm not talking along classic partisan lines.

Just look at these tone deaf, braggy, shelter-in-place photos posted from yachts/estates. They are totally oblivious to the message that they send.

 

[cosine]

as of now, ny has extended the say at home order till may 30th. not sure on the business status. it all depends on the numbers of covid cases. its going down, but not enough to open everything. the biggest concern is the relapse of the covid virus. i do believe (and hope it doesnt) that the virus will come in full force due to people getting lax and thinks everything is normal again. the hot spot that i'm working in is getting busier and people are trying to maintain social distance, but not as well as it should be. only time will tell.

 

[Kyanche]

Some people are addicted to working. They see it as their reason for living and love working gobs of overtime. I imagine those people are screaming bloody murder about the shut downs right now. I hope they can find something else to bring them happiness in the meantime!

 

[nerubi]

There will be a lot of business that will not open back up. That means a lot of unemployment even once business start to open. Plus it will be a very soft start. Then there is the possibility of inflation. Savings will not buy the same amount of goods and services. I don't know if 6 months will be enough for a lot of people? America's great, great, grandkids will still be paying for this pandemic by the time it's over.

According to Forbes 50% of small businesses fail within 5 years of opening and 95% fail within 10 years. This just shortened the period of failure into a smaller number of years. But then new small businesses will open up and more people will be back to work. What hasn't been done in the last is spending more tax dollars to keep small businesses paying employees to lower unemployment payments. Kind of equalizes them to large businesses where union workers are paid most of their pay during the closings. Then instead of taxpayers subsidizing the payroll cost it is the consumer of the products paying more. Aren't election years wonderful?

 

[richardya]

I think it’s going to cycle back fast. Once people start going back others will follow. Medical is back again, unbelievable that they did t have medicine as essential.

 

[viper88]

I think it’s going to cycle back fast. Once people start going back others will follow. Medical is back again, unbelievable that they did t have medicine as essential.

Medical is obviously essential. They asked everyone to postpone elective procedures so there is less burden on hospitals, staff, and resources. That plus having fewer people in hospitals where the likelihood of infection is probably higher. Doctors have been doing video conference appointments for some things. A neighbor cut himself pretty bad and went to the emergency room. They asked him to follow up via video. He said he basically showed the doctor how his wound was through his phone.

I hope your right about cycling back fast.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

I have a sneaky suspicion that if the UAW showed leadership and passion at wanting to work with the auto companies to proactively enhance safety (which may include, in addition to all the stuff being done at European plants, older US workers or those with comorbidities staring home a while longer) AND then walked into the Democratic Governor’s office and vociferously advocated for a reopening, the Gov would allow it. The reason she isn’t, IMO, is that she is pandering to the waffling unions leadership.

millions of Americans are working in factories, trucking, warehouses, food supply, power plants, refineries, etc right now — they are deemed “essential” and they and their employers have figured it out. The auto companies are restarting in Europe with the HELP of the unions to get it right. Here, it looks like the UAW just wants to shrug its shoulders so it can politically blame someone else. It’s shameful, IMO. THIS is the time where unions can prove that they make a difference. THIS is the time that they can lead. This is the time that they can work with the companies to design the right protocols. THIS is the time that their members can look to them for support and guidance about the new normal in the workplace. THIS is where they can demonstrate value for their members. Instead, they appear (from the quotes that I am reading in the press) shrugging and saying “gee, I just don’t know.....”. Bullshit. If what I am reading is being interpreted correctly by me, then the UAW membership needs to toss these do nothing bums out in the next election and get real leaders in.

if the USW leadership doesn’t believe it to be safe then they need to say so. Then they need to say the things that must be fixed before they would agree to reopen. This is about leadership. I don’t see it.

There's a lot of collaborative work going on in the plants right now. I just can't post pics to "prove it". But it IS happening.

 

[viper88]

There's a lot of collaborative work going on in the plants right now. I just can't post pics to "prove it". But it IS happening.

Hi, appreciate the info on this. Which plant do you work at?

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