Chapter 708: Defeating the Union
The U.S. stock market is booming!
If you are a stockholder in China, you will definitely cheer when you see this color.
American stockholders are just the opposite. When they see the screen full of red, their hearts are bleeding.
In the U.S. stock index, red represents a decline and green represents an increase. A flurry of red means that the stock market will continue to fall, and stockholders will suffer heavy losses.
The Federal Reserve has already taken action and injected capital into financial institutions for many consecutive days, but the Fed's 18 billion capital injection is just a drop in the bucket in the face of tens of trillions of financial risks.
The financial crisis triggered by the subprime mortgage crisis quickly spread to the real economy, which is best reflected by the stock market.
The so-called Prophet of Plumbing Duck in the Spring River, the stock market in the United States can most directly reflect the confidence of investors in the market, and also project the prosperity of the US economy.
As one statistic is released, the other bad news follows.
House prices across the United States began to fall, marking the largest single-quarter decline in 21 years, and the number of bankrupts began to increase by 20% per month.
The Federal Reserve chose to cut interest rates urgently, but it is still difficult to recover the reduction in non-agricultural employment.
For ordinary consumer credit, the default rate also began to increase, and the overdue repayment rate quickly reached the situation when the Internet bubble burst in 2000.
A large part of the U.S. economy is driven by consumption. If there is a problem with consumption, it means that the U.S. economy will inevitably fall into recession.
...
In the evening, auto worker Thomas parked his pickup truck in the garage, and then returned home humming a little tune.
As an American auto worker, Thomas' salary is still very good. He lives in a big house in the suburbs, married a wife, two children, bought two cars, and raised a dog. This is standard equipment for the American middle class.
Entering the entrance, Thomas first saw a pile of letters in the storage box next to him. Thomas picked them up casually. There were promotional advertisements from supermarkets, promotional advertisements from insurance companies, repayment bills for mortgages, and credit cards from banks. bill.
It's time to repay the credit card again. Thomas opened the bill, and seeing the figures on it, he felt a headache. He took his children to watch a football game last month, and the expenses were really overspending.
next second,
Thomas suddenly remembered that he was still participating in the strike, which meant that this month's salary had not yet been settled!
The point is that the factory is still laying off workers, and the intensity of the layoffs is getting bigger and bigger. I don't understand that Thomas' name will be on the list of layoffs tomorrow.
Thinking of this, Thomas couldn't help feeling a little flustered. All kinds of loans are like sharp knives hanging over Thomas' head. If Thomas really loses his job, how should he pay back the car loan, mortgage, credit card, etc.!
Ordinary Americans do not save money. After paying off their various loans after their monthly salary arrives, there is not much money left. Once you lose your job, you really have no money to repay the loan.
The people from the trade union said, if you persist, the management will definitely compromise! Thomas comforted himself.
But thinking about those colleagues who have returned to the workshop and punched in and out of get off work normally, Thomas feels more and more that the union's words are unreliable.
Soon, Thomas' wife made dinner, and the family of four gathered around the dining table, while the dog ran to the bottom of the dining table, muttering in his heart: fall, fall, fall quickly, everything that falls on the ground is mine !
Thomas was still thinking about repaying the loan, and his wife started nagging about family affairs.
Did you know? Mr. Heywood and Mrs. Heywood next door are going through divorce! the wife said.
Aren't they very loving? Why are they going to get divorced? I remember that in the summer, they had a barbecue queue and invited us to participate. Could it be that Mr. Heywood cheated? Thomas asked.
No, it is said that Mr. Thomas was laid off two months ago and has been unable to find a job. They have already paid off their mortgage. He is likely to file for bankruptcy. So Mrs. Thomas simply divorced him. I saw today that Mrs. Thomas is packing her luggage and may plan to move away from here. The wife replied.
Hearing words such as layoffs and bankruptcy, Thomas's heart trembled suddenly, feeling like a rabbit died of a fox.
The wife went on to say: I heard that many companies are laying off employees recently, and it is becoming more and more difficult to find a job. When I went to the supermarket today, I heard the salesperson discussing that it is the recent recession. People who buy things It is decreasing, the turnover of supermarkets is also falling, and the supermarket management has already planned to cut salaries to keep jobs.
This news shocked Thomas again, and the dinner in front of him was not delicious.
After dinner, Thomas sat alone on the sofa in a daze.
Now the unemployment rate is so high and it is so difficult to find a job. If I am really laid off, I may not be able to find a new job! How will I pay off my mortgage, car loan and credit card? Do I have to be like Is Mr. Heywood divorced and bankrupt like that?
All in all, my current salary is still very impressive. Although I don't make a fortune, my quality of life is pretty good. Of course, it must be a good thing if there are more benefits, but if you lose your job in order to increase a little bit of benefits, then the loss outweighs the gain!
Tomorrow the trade union will hold a promotional event, otherwise I won't go to participate, and go back to the workshop to clock in and go to work normally, so that at least I won't be on the list of layoffs. After all, this family still depends on me to support them.
What's more, I'm not the first to go back to work. Many people have already walked ahead of me. If the trade union settles accounts in the future, it will not be my turn!
Thinking of this, Thomas calmed down a lot. He decided to go to bed immediately, get up early tomorrow, and go to the workshop to clock in on time.
...
Early in the morning, when Norwood Jewell was having breakfast, he saw the news that the stock market was booming on TV, and he suddenly felt a little bad.
Norwood Jewell also invests in financial products, but instead of buying stocks directly, he buys fund products. If the stock market falls, Norwood Jewell's fund will naturally suffer losses.
After breakfast, Norwood Jewell headed straight to the Bemhull factory to deal with another matter that made him feel bad.
In front of the gate of the Bemher factory, a sparse crowd was holding signs, looking listless.
Isn't there going to be a promotional event today, why are there so few people! Norwood Jewel frowned slightly.
Seeing Norwood Jewell coming, Hanks, the trade union cadre, immediately greeted him.
It's time for the event, why haven't everyone arrived yet! Norwood Jewell glanced at the crowd, and said, Hanks, you performed pretty well in the previous campaigns, why did you drop out today? Chain? I'm disappointed in your performance!
Hanks immediately explained: Mr. Jewell, it's not our fault. We have notified everyone, but there are many workers who are unwilling to continue to participate in the strike. They have returned to the workshop and started clocking out!
What? Going back to work? A classic saying immediately sounded in Norwood Jewell's mind, we have a group of traitors!
How did it happen? Our trade union is still fighting for them, but they compromised with the management? Did the management give some benefits in private, or make a promise? Norwood Jewell asked immediately.
Hanks replied: Since all members of our trade union have been laid off, many workers are unwilling to continue the strike with us. They think that if they continue to strike, the management will also lay off them. In order to keep their jobs, They all went back to the workshop.
In today’s promotional event, I also told the workers that there will be a barbecue party and beer after the event, so there are so many people participating. If there is no barbecue and beer, there will be even fewer people coming!
To tell you the truth, many trade union members have begun to regret it. After all, the economic situation has not been good recently, and many industries are really laying off workers. They are worried that they will be laid off this time, and they will be laid off for real!
Mr. Jewell, more and more people are returning to work. If this continues, our strike will really fail. Those of us who have been laid off have really lost their jobs!
Don't worry, since you have joined the trade union, the trade union will definitely protect your rights and interests! Norwood Jewell hastily promised.
At this time, if you don't quickly stabilize people's hearts, the strike will really fail!
Hanks showed a dubious expression.
Anyone can say beautiful words, but can they really do it?
The management told everyone with actions that they would not compromise, and they would mercilessly lay off the strikers.
However, in the current bad economic environment, some workers have begun to compromise, no longer going on strike, but going back to work.
Also because of the bad economic environment, it has become difficult to find jobs, and it is much easier for factories to recruit new workers, so the management can lay off employees without fear.
If it continues, the end result is that all strikers will be laid off, and the factory will recruit a new batch of workers, and there will be no loss.
Those who are really hurt are fired workers like Hanks, who really lost their jobs!
It is possible for the laid-off union leaders to be packaged as heroes.
However, there are more than 900 union members who have been laid off this time. Can more than 900 worker heroes be created?
Obviously this is impossible. The group of workers who have been laid off will most likely become victims of the strike.
...
The number of participants was insufficient, and the promotional activities were not carried out.
A failed campaign will have counterproductive strikes.
The workers are not fools. Seeing that the campaign was deserted, they knew that the strike would not go on. Instead of wasting time here, they should go back to work quickly to avoid being laid off by the factory.
So on the second day, many workers stopped the strike and returned to the workshop, which made the strike force even weaker.
Another day later, the strikers fell off a cliff. At this time, the number of people returning to work in the factory has exceeded the number of people still participating in the strike.
Human beings live in groups, so they have the mentality of following the crowd. When they see most people go on strike, they go on strike. When they see most people go back to work, they go back to work with the crowd.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that the strike is doomed to fail. Even those who have already been on the layoff list have begun to ask their connections to find out how they can go back to work.
...
In the Bemher factory, Li Weidong stood at the door of the workshop, looking at the workers who were working inside.
The management of the factory reported: At present, more than 2,200 workers have resumed work in the factory, and the production line can also be opened normally. However, due to the shortage of workers, the production capacity is still limited, and it has only returned to 60% of the usual level.
Sixty percent of the production capacity is acceptable. Many economists predict that the U.S. economy will experience negative growth next year, and the market's consumer demand will also decrease. As a luxury car brand, our sales will definitely be greatly affected. Production capacity is not necessarily a bad thing. Li Weidong said.
Several managers nodded reluctantly. As the management of the production factory, their year-end bonus is directly linked to the output of the factory. Now that the factory's output has been reduced to the process, it is estimated that this year's year-end bonus is suspended.
But everyone also knows that the current economic situation is not good, layoffs are everywhere, and it is understandable to reduce production capacity.
What's more, when Li Weidong just took over Jaguar Land Rover, there was a wave of layoffs. This was a knock on the mountain, letting the management know how powerful this new boss is. No matter whether they are convinced in their hearts, they must be convinced in their mouths. No one will Make fun of your own job.
Only someone continued to say: Mr. Li, the on-site workshop has resumed production, should layoffs continue?
As long as there are still people who haven't come back, we will continue to lay off workers until all the strikers are laid off. Li Weidong continued: If we stop now, it will be unfair to the workers who come back to work.
Another person said: Mr. Li, some workers who have been laid off have expressed regret. They hope to return to the factory and say they will not go on strike again. I think they are skilled workers after all, and for us I also know more about the operation of the workshop, do you want to give them a chance?
Come when you want, leave when you want, think of where we are! Li Weidong snorted coldly, and then said: They are all adults, and they should know how to be responsible for their actions. Those who have been laid off want to come back, Wait until the next recruitment and apply again!
Some people wanted to ask when they would be recruiting, but they swallowed it when they considered the current economic outlook.
In the next two years, it is already a good thing not to lay off staff, how could there be recruitment!
...
Workers go on strike just to get better benefits, not to lose their jobs. This is true for ordinary workers, and even more so for those who join unions.
In fact, workers who join trade unions are more concerned about personal gains and losses. They joined CM for nothing more than to gain more benefits. How many people are really working for the welfare of the workers!
To join the United Auto Workers, you have to pay 5% of your salary as a membership fee, and you must get more than 5% of your salary before someone pays. From another perspective, these unionized workers are actually the most self-interested group of people.
Now that the strike is facing failure, these workers who joined the trade union did not reap the benefits, but lost their jobs. Naturally, they will not let it go.
It was impossible to return to the factory, so everyone began to point the finger at the UAW, which led the strike.
Organizations like the United Auto Workers can grow and thrive by enticing them for benefits. If benefits are not offered, no one will obey the leadership of the United Auto Workers.
But if there is no benefit, and the workers themselves have to pay, let alone make the workers obey the leadership, it is already a good thing not to rebel.
...
At the strike site, union leader Hanks was surrounded by several workers, all of whom were members of the union. Now that they lost their jobs because of the strike, they naturally wanted to settle accounts with the leader.
Hanks, what did you say before the strike? Said we'd get better health care, more pensions, more vacation, and what? We lost our jobs!
When the factory first started laying off employees, you told us that you don't have to be afraid, that the management will immediately compromise and negotiate with us, but the management has no intention of negotiating at all!
Even yesterday, you told us that we can win if we persist for a few more days! You liar, you are still lying to us at this time!
It's all your responsibility. We had a good salary, but you told us that we changed to a new boss, and we can get a raise if we make a fuss! In the end, we lost our jobs!
We are all adults and should be responsible for our own choices. However, a group of egoists will definitely not take responsibility for unemployment by themselves, and will blame others for it.
Hanks also had a look of grievance. He only obeyed the leadership of the United Auto Workers Union, and he himself was just an executor.
What's more, the previous promise, at least one thing was fulfilled, that is, a longer vacation. Now that you have been laid off, you can take an indefinite vacation.
Several angry workers were about to beat someone up. At this moment, Hanks saw Norwood Jewell walking towards him in the distance.
Mr. Jewell is here! He is a senior executive of the United Auto Workers Union. If you have any questions, you can ask him to respond. He will definitely help you solve them! Hanks said.
A move of conflict transfer was so effective that the autoworkers immediately ran to Norwood Jewell. Before Jewell could react, he was surrounded by a group of workers.
The workers still repeated what they said just now, your union is a liar, your union caused me to lose my job, your union has to be responsible, etc.
After all, Norwood Jewell has rich experience. He knows that in the current situation, it is useless to continue to paint a big picture. No one will believe that he will win if he persists.
People's hearts are scattered, the team can't move, I'm afraid the strike will not be able to continue. Norwood Jewell sighed.
He knew very well in his heart that since the strike was doomed to fail, it would be better to negotiate with the employer as soon as possible to get less or no benefits, at least to get the workers' jobs back, which would be a decent step down for the union.
So Norwood Jewell said: Dear workers, please rest assured, I will negotiate with the employer, and your jobs will be back by then!
...
This is a game of who blinks first, and now the trade union has to blink first, which means that the trade union has lost the game.
Norwood Jewell knew very well that if he took the initiative to negotiate with Li Weidong, he would definitely be on the weak side. But it’s impossible not to go, if the job problem of these more than 900 workers cannot be solved, then the image of the trade union will definitely be hit, and I will follow suit.
In the coffee shop of the hotel, Norwood Jewell met Li Weidong again.
Li Weidong said straight to the point: Mr. Jewell, our time is precious, let's get straight to the point! You are here this time because of the strike at the Bemher factory, right?
Norwood Jewell nodded: That's right, our trade union has decided to lower some conditions. As long as you are willing to agree, we will cancel the strike immediately!
Norwood Jewell said, took out another document and handed it to Li Weidong.
Li Weidong read through the demands put forward by the trade union at a glance. The main thing is to increase various benefits, but the increase is much smaller. At the same time, it is also required that the previously dismissed employees be called back to the factory to continue working, and their positions remain unchanged.
Looking at this new request, Li Weidong smiled slightly, and then said: There is a famous saying, what can't be obtained in war, can't be obtained at the negotiating table. I think this famous saying is more suitable for the present. Jewell Sir, why do you think you can get something through negotiation if you can't get it on strike!
If you don't agree, we will go on strike! Norwood Jewel repeated the old tune again.
Li Weidong spread his hands: I don't care. You know that we have been speeding up layoffs. Soon, those who are still on strike will be laid off. Those who hold signs to strike are not our employees. , What do they do and what does it matter to me!
Mr. Li, if you do this, you will tear your face apart with our UAW! Norwood Jewel said in a threatening tone.
Even car companies at the level of Ford and General Motors dare not completely tear themselves apart with the UAW. Although the two sides are hostile to each other, they still have to talk about what needs to be discussed. Therefore, Norwood Jewell believes that this can threaten Li Weidong.
Haven't we already lost our face? Li Weidong smiled slightly, and continued; Mr. Jewell, if I have the willingness to negotiate, I would have talked about it long ago. Why wait until now.
Mr. Li, do you know what is the end of breaking the face with our United Auto Workers? What you are facing is not only economic loss, but also reputational loss! For an auto brand, losing reputation is the Means losing market share!
However, Li Weidong still had an expression of indifference: I don't deny that you have the ability to damage my reputation, but I'm not an American. If my reputation is bad, it will be bad. It doesn't affect me much. Foreigners have a bad reputation in the United States. Yes, it's not bad for me!
As for market share, I don't think the US is the main market for Jaguar Land Rover. What's more, the current economic situation is very bad. How many people do you think will be able to consume luxury brands in the United States in the next few years?
The future success is called 30% off Leopard in China, and in the United States, the sales of Jaguar Land Rover are also very worrying. Although there are occasional sales growths of more than 10%, the sales base is low after all.
If you sell 1,000 cars a month, even if you increase sales by 100%, you will only sell 1,000 more cars. And if you sell 100,000 cars a month, you only need to increase by 1%, and you can sell 1,000 more cars.
In the U.S. market, Jaguar Land Rover sells about 10,000 cars a month, even worse than Volvo and Infiniti, and less than one-tenth of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Lexus are luxury brands that Americans love more. Although the sales volume of Audi is lower than these three brands, it can still be regarded as the first echelon. And the United States also has local luxury brands such as Cadillac and Lincoln.
From another perspective, if Jaguar Land Rover sells well in the United States, Ford Group will not sell the brand.
As for things like reputation, it does matter to entrepreneurs. But Li Weidong is not an American, and the focus of his development is not in the United States. He doesn't care about his reputation in the American market. Perhaps being scolded by the Americans more harshly will also help Li Weidong improve his reputation in China.
This is like Soros being beaten by everyone in Asia, like a rat crossing the street, but in the United States he is an idol worshiped by many people. Because this guy stole all the money from Asian countries and brought it back to the United States, he naturally became a national hero in the eyes of Americans.
None of these threats from Norwood-Jewell have any lethal effect on Li Weidong. He has no cards to play, so he has to choose to compromise.
Norwood Jewell heaved a long sigh: Mr. Li, as long as you are willing to recruit the laid-off workers back, we will stop the strike. This is already our bottom line!
The recent economic situation is very bad. Perhaps because of the outbreak of a global financial crisis, many companies are laying off employees, so I don't plan to recruit any more workers in the near future. Li Weidong said, showing a victorious smile.
Li Weidong's smile made Norwood Jewell furious, but there was nothing he could do. The loser has no right to negotiate terms with the winner!
...
Walking out of the hotel, looking at the blue sky, Norwood Jewell finally understood that the meeting this time was not because of Li Weidong's willingness to negotiate, but simply to humiliate himself.
A wave of hatred rose from Norwood Jewell's heart, accompanied by a trace of regret.
This strike shouldn't have happened in the first place! Damn it, it's the damned financial crisis that gave the management the upper hand! If the economy hadn't been so bad, I would have won! Norwood Jewell murmured speak in language.
For the UAW, it's not just a failure, it's a loss of prestige.
No benefit at all. It can be said that this is the first defeat of the United Auto Workers in decades.
The responsibility for the failure will inevitably be borne by Norwood Jewell, but he has already thought of how to explain it to the senior management of the United Auto Workers Union, that is, to blame the financial crisis!
