Chapter 706: Compete
Li Weidong broke up with Norwood Jewell, and there is a high probability that he is going to organize a workers' strike.
Norwood Jewell has been a trade union cadre for decades, and has dealt with all auto companies that have built factories in the United States, but this is the first time he has met Li Weidong, an employer who is unwilling to even talk about it.
Under normal circumstances, in this kind of negotiation, the trade union first puts out a condition, and then the company also proposes a condition based on the union's condition, and then the two sides wrangle for a while, and finally reach a consensus.
The company will increase the benefits a little, and the trade union will stop making troubles. Then the two parties will calm down for a while, wait for the next trade union to make trouble, and then repeat the previous operation.
This is how the wages of American auto workers rise. The average salary for an American auto worker is more than double the average American salary and 1.5 times the median U.S. income.
Many people may think that it is normal for front-line workers to earn twice the average income. But considering the income level in the United States, this high income is obviously unreasonable.
Because countries with higher wages have higher labor costs, and when labor costs become higher, the threshold for companies' demand for manpower will be higher, which will in turn lead to wage equalization. This is a proven phenomenon in the field of human resource management.
For example, if you hire a nanny with a monthly salary of 3,000, the requirements will definitely not be very high, but if you hire a nanny with a monthly salary of 30,000, the minimum must be 985211!
The same is true for applicants. If the Environmental Sanitation Bureau recruits public toilet administrators, if it is officially being compiled, a group of masters will apply because the salary is good and they are still in the job.
In developed countries such as Northern Europe, the salary is relatively high, and the salary gap between different industries is not large. Although the salary of a university professor will still be higher than that of a workshop worker, there will not be a gap of several times. Also, the people there are generally well-educated, and it is very common for a person to have several master's titles.
But if you find an industry with very high salaries, and the industry's requirements for professional skills are not so demanding, this is unreasonable.
That's what American auto workers look like. Migrant workers should not think that the high salaries of American auto workers are a good thing. The rise in salaries of auto workers is behind the decline of the American auto industry. Due to the high labor costs, auto companies that originally set up factories in the United States have transferred their enterprises to Mexico and other countries.
When the company leaves, the jobs of the workers will be lost. At the same time, the corresponding supply chain of the automobile industry will be transferred, and then the workers in the supply chain will also lose their jobs. Motor cities like Detroit will go bankrupt.
manufacturing salaries,
The key is not high or low, but reasonable. Overpaying workers hurts the industry, and underpaying workers hurts workers. Only when the salary is at a reasonable level can there be a win-win situation.
...
Ford, the signing ceremony for the Jaguar Land Rover deal is about to begin.
Li Weidong and Bill Ford sat together, waiting for the lawyer to bring the contract.
Mr. Li, I heard that you have not reached an agreement with the trade union? Bill Ford asked.
The trade union has asked too much. I can't agree to their conditions. Li Weidong said calmly.
There are differences between each other, we can talk about it! As I said before, you make a step, I make a step, and we can definitely reach a result acceptable to both parties.
Bill Ford said, showing a worried expression, and continued: Mr. Li, with all due respect, if you cannot reach an agreement with the union, the union will definitely use some means.
I know, it's just that there will be a strike! Li Weidong said with a relaxed face.
A strike will stop production at the factory, and the employer will ultimately suffer losses. Bill Ford said.
It's okay, I just need to fire a group of strikers. The other workers will be obedient when they are afraid. I don't believe they will give up their jobs! Li Weidong showed a determined expression.
There was a hint of sarcasm in Bill Ford's eyes, and he continued: Mr. Li, your method may be useful in China, but this is the United States after all, and the United States has American rules, which deviate from American rules. I'm afraid it will be difficult to succeed.
Thank you, Mr. Ford, for your reminder. Li Weidong thanked perfunctorily, then pointed to the lawyer who was walking this way, and said, Mr. Ford, the contract has just been brought, and we can start signing the contract. .”
It's hard to persuade you, damn it! Since you don't follow the rules and have to fight against the union, you deserve the heavy losses. Jaguar Land Rover went bankrupt under your hands, and Ford still has one less competitor!
Thinking of this, Bill Ford showed a fake smile on his face, and then made a please gesture, but he was thinking in his heart, watching Li Weidong's jokes in a few days.
...
Under the flickering of the spotlight, the two parties completed the signing, followed by an intermittent press conference.
For the signing ceremony this time, Ford specially invited a lot of reporters to the scene.
Last year, Ford suffered billions of losses, and Jaguar Land Rover was one of the biggest losers. If it can get rid of Jaguar Land Rover's revenge, Ford will not only get back 1.5 billion US dollars of funds, but also reduce this year's losses. It's definitely good for Ford's stock price.
That's why Ford invited a large number of reporters, hoping to take this opportunity to spread a wave of publicity, increase its stock price, and explain to shareholders.
The assistant quietly came to Bill Ford's ear and said, Mr. President, everything has been arranged. We invited all the reporters, and they all came.
Very good. Bill Ford nodded with a smile, and continued, Let the PR department treat those reporters well.
President, there is one more thing. I saw that Norwood Jewell from the United Auto Workers is also here. The assistant said.
Don't be nervous, he's here for the Chinese. Bill Ford said gloatingly, We've already sold the Jaguar Land Rover anyway, and now the Jaguar Land Rover workers have nothing to do with us, we'll just wait and see. It's going to be fun.
...
Bill Ford was the first to accept the interview, and I saw him talking to the camera with the demeanor of a general.
The reporters were all invited by Ford, and the public relations department of Ford had already communicated with the reporters, so the reporters' questions about Bill Ford were all negotiated as soon as they were realized, and Bill Ford naturally responded with ease.
Afterwards, it was Li Weidong's turn to accept the interview. Since the American reporters were not familiar with Li Weidong, the reporters were not very interested in him. At the very beginning, they asked a few questions of the nature of the scene, such as the development prospects of Jaguar Land Rover. Any plans or something.
Finally, a reporter asked, Mr. Li, it is said that the trade union organization is against this acquisition. I wonder if it is true?
Everyone can express their opinions, this is their freedom, isn't it? Li Weidong smiled slightly, and continued: But the trade union organization does not have the equity of Jaguar Land Rover, nor has it signed an agreement with Ford to refuse the acquisition , so the union’s objection is invalid and will not affect the legitimacy of the acquisition.”
Mr. Li, it is said that the trade unions will use practical actions to stop the acquisition, such as protests, marches or strikes. What do you think about this, or how do you plan to deal with it? The reporter asked again.
Li Weidong thought for a while and said, For this kind of hypothetical question, I can only say that the decisions I make will conform to the laws of the United States.
Mr. Li, are you worried that the workers at the Jaguar Land Rover factory will go on strike? The reporter asked with an expression of breaking the casserole.
I'm not worried about this. I'm full of confidence in the future of Jaguar Land Rover. Li Weidong said without hesitation.
When the issue of strikes came up, the reporters around immediately became interested. Compared with the acquisition of 1.5 billion US dollars, workers' strikes are more topical and more popular.
Those reporters who had lost interest raised their cameras and pointed at Li Weidong one after another, or took out their recording pens.
At this moment, a figure passed through the crowd and walked in front of them. This person was Norwood Jewell.
Everyone, my name is Norwood Jewell, and I am a representative of the United Auto Workers! Norwood Jewell introduced himself, which immediately attracted the attention of the reporters.
After Norwood Jewell finished his self-introduction, he turned his head to look at Li Weidong, and said, Mr. Li, on behalf of the 3,875 auto workers in the Bemhull factory, I would like to announce to you that from now on, we will conduct unlimited A long-term strike until you are willing to improve workers' benefits in accordance with our demands.
Norwood Jewell said, took out a document, handed it to Li Weidong, and continued: Mr. Li, this is a written notice.
When this scene happened, the reporters on the scene immediately became excited. Everyone thought this was just an ordinary press conference, but they didn't expect such a big melon!
The employer has just completed the acquisition, and the labor union jumped out to go on strike in less than three seconds. This kind of drama is rare in decades.
And just now a reporter asked Li Weidong about the strike organized by the trade union, and Li Weidong just answered the sentence don't worry, and the strike came, and the slap in the face came too quickly.
People's eyes focused on Li Weidong's face. They really wanted to see the embarrassment or panic expressions of the Chinese people, but Li Weidong still had a calm expression on his face.
Li Weidong took the written notice, looked down a few times, and then asked, Mr. Norwood Jewell, are you sure you can represent the 3,875 auto workers at the Bemhull factory?
The United Auto Workers represent the 3,875 workers at the Bemhull plant, and I am the UAW representative. So it can also be said that I am the representative of the 3,875 workers at the Bemhull plant! Norwood Jay Will speaks rigorously.
Li Weidong nodded, and then said: In this case, I also have something to inform you, I hope you can convey it to the workers. In view of the fact that the workers' strike will cause the factory to be unable to continue operating, which will cause losses to the company, and in order to reduce losses, so I have decided that in the next week, the Bemher plant will lay off 5% of its workforce to reduce the company's operating costs and losses.
As soon as these words came out, the audience was in an uproar!
When facing a major strike, auto companies have always chosen to negotiate with the labor union and then make a compromise to resolve the strike.
Not only the corporate industry, but also other industries with trade unions in the United States. Even civil servants of the US government will use strikes to negotiate with the government.
However, Li Weidong did the opposite. Not only did he not express his willingness to negotiate, he even resorted to layoffs!
In the past few decades, there have been countless strikes across the United States, but there has never been such a situation. This is completely beyond the normal cognition of Americans. In an instant, all the spotlights are aimed at Li Weidong, and they are almost blinded. Li Weidong's alloy dog eyes.
Li Weidong blinked, barely adapted to the flashlight, and then continued: This time, the 5% layoffs will be given priority to those employees who do not abide by the factory's labor discipline, such as absenteeism, and will enter the list of priority layoffs! written notice, I will send it later.
The strike organized by the trade union is obviously an act of absenteeism. Li Weidong's statement this time means that whoever dares to strike, I will copy his Yuyu!
After hearing this, Norwood Jewell's complacent expression suddenly became gloomy.
Originally, Norwood-Jewell planned to announce the strike in front of so many reporters, so that he could slap Li Weidong in the face severely, so that he could get more benefits in front of future negotiations.
Unexpectedly, instead of giving in, Li Weidong chose Zhengman Hard Steel and directly resorted to the big move of layoffs. This kind of move beyond Norwood Jewell's expectations also made him confused.
Under normal circumstances, shouldn't you immediately admit cowardice and express your willingness to negotiate? Why are you still fighting with me! Norwood Jewell was puzzled.
Not far away, Bill Ford also ate chicken slightly, and then a mocking smile appeared on his face.
This Chinese is really a leader. He doesn't know how powerful the United Auto Workers is! Our three major American car companies have a history of 100 years. We have competed with the United Auto Workers countless times, and we have never taken advantage of it! You are now Be stubborn, wait a few days, when you will cry!
...
Sure enough, the strike happened, and Li Weidong's threat of layoffs did not work.
At that time, Jaguar Land Rover mainly had two major factories, one was the Hallefield factory in Liverpool, England, which was also the original original factory of Jaguar.
The other is the Bemher plant in the United States, which was established in the United States after Ford acquired Jaguar, and later integrated the Land Rover brand into it.
In the future, Jaguar Land Rover will have a third factory, which is the Changshu factory in China in cooperation with Chery.
Compared with those big car brands, Jaguar does not have many factories. For example, GM, Ford and other companies have factories in more than a dozen states in the United States, and there are also various overseas factories.
Moreover, the factories of big brands are also larger, such as the largest factory of Volkswagen, with more than 60,000 employees.
Jaguar Land Rover has far fewer factories and a much smaller scale. This is mainly because Jaguar Land Rover, as a luxury car brand, does not have a high sales volume, so there is no need to build so many factories.
There are about 4,400 employees in the Bemher plant in the United States, of which 3,875 are front-line auto workers, and they are also the group on strike this time.
In fact, the main body of each strike must be the front-line workers. After all, if the administrative and logistics positions go on strike, it will have little impact on the production of the enterprise, so it will not produce any effect.
What the developed countries are short of are front-line blue-collar workers, and there is no shortage of office, administrative and logistics positions. There are a lot of jobs in the job market. In a commercially developed place like the United States, even senior managers are abundant in the market.
The American Federation of Automobile Manufacturers has a century-old history of the labor movement, and it is even more familiar with leading strikes. What should be done and what should not be done is clearly arranged.
After the strike started, the Bemher factory also came to a standstill in an instant.
However, on the second day of the strike, the Bemher factory posted an announcement, and a list of thirty people appeared on the announcement, which was the first batch of layoffs.
Upon closer inspection, these thirty people were all trade union cadres at the Bemher factory, and they were also the main leaders of the strike.
...
On the street in front of the Bemher factory, the strike workers were holding signs there. Hanks, the leader of the union, was one of them and stood at the front.
Suddenly, someone ran over in a hurry, approached Hanks, and said, Hanks, the factory has just posted an announcement, which is a list of layoffs. There are 30 people in total, and you are among them. Laid off by the factory!
Really? Hanks had a calm expression. He had already received news from Norwood Jewell that the new boss planned to lay off 5% of the workforce. It is normal to be cut off, he has long been mentally prepared.
I saw Hanks stood up, waved at the crowd, and then put on a posture to give a speech.
Everyone, please rest assured that although the factory has laid off me, our union is still there, and the union will continue to fight for everyone's interests. As a member of the union, I will fight to the end with everyone!
The surrounding crowd immediately burst into warm applause and cheers.
In the face of layoffs, the 30 people did not go to any labor arbitration. First, layoffs in American companies are commonplace. Second, strikes are absenteeism, and companies have legal reasons to lay off absenteeism.
But these thirty people are not in a panic. They all have the backing of the labor union, and they are treated as a fake if they are laid off. Anyway, when the labor union negotiates with the management in the future, they will be invited back to the factory. Maybe there will be more easy post.
Among the American auto companies, many union cadres do not work at all. Although they are called front-line auto workers, their daily work is to pay attention to the welfare of workers. They drink tea, read newspapers and record workers’ appeals. And the company has to pay them wages, which is tantamount to raising a group of white-eyed wolves who don't work, just to make trouble for themselves.
This is also a malady that American companies and labor unions have accumulated over the past century, and the situation is particularly serious in an industry with a long history like the automobile.
The next day, another 30-person layoff list was posted, but the workers still did not panic at all.
The layoffs of 30 people have no effect on the 3875 workers.
In the next few days, the list of 30 people will be announced every day. For a whole week, even on weekends, a total of 210 people have been laid off, which is more than 5%.
Workers, however, remained indifferent.
The United Auto Workers has a long history, and the workers are all veterans. Many of them have participated in more than one strike, so everyone knows that according to past experience, as long as they persist, the management will definitely compromise.
However, the next day, there was a new announcement that in the next five days, the factory would continue to lay off 5% of its workforce, about 200 people!
