Chapter 722: Great Game

In the last strike, all workers with trade union background were fired by Li Weidong. But for trade union organizations, it is not difficult to redevelop workers.

Just imagine, the Amazon union leader can build a union organization in Amazon by inviting workers to queue for barbecues, pizza and beer. And the United Auto Workers has huge resources. Wouldn't it be easy to establish a trade union organization in a certain factory.

If the UAW was willing to commit some resources, it could re-union at the Bemher plant in a matter of minutes.

So the United Auto Workers approved a sum of activity funds, and the trade union organization of the Bemher factory was quickly rebuilt.

The most affordable and direct way to organize workers to do team building is to bring everyone to eat and drink together. The United Auto Workers is also an old team building dog. I found a place and ordered pizza, hot dogs and a few barrels of beer. The party started right away.

After everyone drank some beer and became excited, Norwood Jewell officially appeared on the stage. He held the microphone and talked endlessly about what the United Auto Workers had done during the bankruptcy of General Motors. , Of course, the key point is to finally get a 17.5% stake in General Motors.

Norwood Jewell's eloquence is still very good. In his mouth, the 17.5% of General Motors shares is a great benefit for the workers by the United Auto Workers. be the master.

Next, Norwood-Jewell entered the topic. He began to fan the workers and demanded better benefits from the management.

I only heard Norwood Jewell say; In the past, what we asked the management for was nothing more than salary increases, medical insurance and paid vacations, but these cannot guarantee that we will not lose our jobs. We may still be fired by the management at any time. !

Once we lose our jobs, our car loans, our mortgages and our credit cards, what do we do? Our wives will leave, our children will leave, we will lose some, sleep on the streets like street bums!

Therefore, we need to find a way to protect our jobs, so that we will not be fired by the management, and the best way is that we also own part of the factory's equity, so that we ourselves are shareholders, and of course we will not Get fired!

Sir, is it like General Motors? Someone asked immediately.

Yes, just like General Motors, this time we got a 17.5% stake in GM's reorganization, and we are the second largest shareholder of GM, so our workers don't have to worry about being fired by GM! Norwood Jewell said at once.

Another person said: The management is definitely not willing to give up the shares to us!

Then we'll strike,

Endless strikes! ’ replied Norwood Jewell.

If there is a strike, we will be laid off. Just like last time, the management didn't care about our strike at all. They directly laid off employees, and the layoffs continued to increase! The man said just now.

Norwood Jewell smiled confidently, and then continued: Today is different, last time it was because of the financial crisis and the economic downturn, but now, we have come out of the financial crisis.

And as long as we plan to fight to the death, the capital will definitely surrender in the end. All we really want is security. You don't have to worry about being fired. When we get the shares in the factory, we will have the right to speak and invite everyone back!

What if the management really fights with us? If they file for bankruptcy directly, then we will really lose our jobs! Another person asked.

Didn't GM also file for bankruptcy? But what about the final result? We got 17.5% of the shares! If the management really wants to threaten us with filing for bankruptcy, it will be a second GM. At that time, our interests will not be lost, but we will get the shares of the factory, and the management will be kicked out!

Norwood Jewell was still full of confidence, and he went on to say: Everyone, the scale of General Motors is dozens of times larger than the Bemhull factory, but it was still taken down by us in the end! As long as we unite, a mere Bemher factory will be our opponent!

The low-level wage earners unite and ask the boss for shares, which sounds like wishful thinking no matter how you hear it. In the United States, however, this is not impossible.

Don't overestimate the IQ of the working people in the United States. In many cases, the IQ of American blue-collar workers is really impressive. Just agitate casually, listen to people shouting a few slogans, and believe it is true.

What's more, the case of General Motors is right in front of us. The United Auto Workers did get a 17.5% stake in General Motors, which also allowed the United Auto Workers to gain the trust of the workers.

Ever since a new round of labor negotiations began.

...

Early in the morning, Li Weidong held the phone and listened to the report from the Bemher factory.

Mr. Li, in addition to an 8.5% increase in salary, an increase in the amount of medical insurance contributions, an increase of 5 days of paid vacation per year, and the establishment of exclusive union positions, the union has new requirements. They demand that 17.5% of the Bemher factory The shares are held by the United Auto Workers' Workers' Retirement and Health Insurance Fund.

What? Want shares? Are the trade unions crazy? Why don't they rob! Li Weidong laughed mockingly.

Mr. Li, labor negotiations have always been about extortionate prices and repaying the money on the spot. Although the conditions proposed by the trade unions are very excessive, they are just a kind of negotiation strategy. They first increase the quotation and then wait for us to counter the price. The person in charge of the negotiation The lawyer explained.

Of course Li Weidong understands these principles. He thought for a moment, and then ordered: Then you should talk to the union first, and test the bottom line of the union.

What about the bottom line for our negotiation? Mr. Li, if you don't draw a bottom line, it will be difficult for us to negotiate! The lawyer continued to ask.

Salary increases are acceptable, but not more than 3%, and the trade unions cannot make the same demands in the next two years; insurance and paid vacations can be considered, as for the shares of the Bemher factory, it must not be given, first find an excuse Dragging.

Li Weidong deliberately paused, and then continued: I am not in a hurry to reach a new labor agreement with the labor union, so the negotiation can last longer. After a while, I will fly to the United States in person to resolve this matter.

I understand. I will try my best to find excuses to delay the time and make a final decision after you come to the United States. The lawyer replied.

After finishing the call with the lawyer, a cold light appeared in Li Weidong's eyes.

The comeback of the United Auto Workers Union has long been expected by Li Weidong. After all, large companies in the United States cannot do without such things as trade union organizations.

Technology companies such as Apple and Amazon have been struggling for so many years, but they still can't stop the trade unions in the end. As a traditional manufacturing car company, how can it be possible to get rid of the trade union organization!

It's just that the trade union organization's demand for factory shares really exceeded Li Weidong's expectations.

The figure of 17.5% is worthy of scrutiny! I remember that during the bankruptcy of General Motors, the United Auto Workers got 17.5% of the shares of General Motors. Now they have proposed the same figure, which is suggesting to me that if there is no compromise, the Will it bring down the Bemhull plant as it did with General Motors!

Li Weidong smiled coldly, and said to himself: What a whimsical idea! The trade union has not yet figured out who needs whom more! I wish I could move the production line of Jaguar Land Rover out of the United States, and they will come here. Ah, I took this opportunity to fire all the workers, and I saved even the severance pay!

After thinking for a while, Li Weidong picked up the phone and dialed the secretary's phone number: Contact Secretary Huang in the city for me, and tell me about the Jaguar Land Rover factory building. I want to implement it as soon as possible.

...

Chairman Li, this way please, several leaders are waiting for you! The secretary said while leading the way.

The leaders are all very busy, how can I let the leaders wait for me! Li Weidong said modestly.

Chairman Li, there is a saying that the customer is God. If you come to invest in us, you are our God. The secretary's words were watertight.

The two walked into a reception room with mutual humility.

I'm really sorry to keep the leaders waiting for a long time. Li Weidong said quickly.

Chairman Li, welcome! Please sit down! The leading leader greeted Li Weidong to sit down.

After a few pleasantries, they got to the point.

Several leaders, when I took the land, I promised to move the Jaguar Land Rover production line. Now I plan to implement this project as soon as possible. I also hope that the city can approve it. Li Weidong said.

Chairman Li, according to our country's policies, Jaguar Land Rover is a foreign-funded brand after all. If it lands in China, it still has to be in the form of a joint venture. However, we also asked our superiors whether we can build a wholly-owned factory.

The leader paused, and then said: Considering the particularity of Jaguar Land Rover, the higher-ups also gave another plan, that is, Jaguar Land Rover can build a factory with sole proprietorship, but if they sell cars in China, they still have to pay according to the standard of imported cars. associated taxes.

Li Weidong nodded: Then I'd better introduce domestic joint venture partners!

I wonder if Chairman Li has a favorite joint venture partner? The other party continued to ask.

I plan to form a joint venture with BYD. Li Weidong replied.

The other party smiled slightly: I suggest that you consider SAIC. SAIC has a lot of experience in joint ventures with foreign brands, and its technology and strength are also at the top level in China. It is also a local company with a complete component supply system. .”

I understand what you mean. As a local company, SAIC will definitely have many inherent advantages if it is a joint venture partner. However, I think that choosing a foreign company for a joint venture will be more beneficial to the development of the city's automobile industry.

Li Weidong went on to say: There is a saying that there is competition to make progress, just like foreign car brands, the first to form a joint venture with us was the German Volkswagen, but after a long time, the streets were full of Santana.

Later, Toyota and Honda in Japan, GM and Ford in the United States, and Hyundai in South Korea all came. There were Corolla, Accord, Cruze, and Yinlante on the street. Volkswagen also began to increase its domestic car models. .

Cars are the result of competition among car companies, and the ultimate beneficiaries are the people of our country. From the time when they could not buy a car with a note, now 4S stores are everywhere. Consumers have more choices. The country The automobile industry has also achieved great development.

If the German Volkswagen was allowed to dominate and not introduce other brands, maybe we are still running the old Santana on the streets, and Volkswagen may not introduce more models into China.

Therefore, I think that your city should introduce other brands to make progress in the industry through competition among enterprises, instead of allowing SAIC to dominate. Moreover, BYD's successful settlement can also be used as a living sign to attract other car companies to invest in and build factories!

Chairman Li is right. From a long-term perspective, the blossoming of a hundred flowers can indeed promote the development of the industry. We are short-sighted in this matter. The other party nodded approvingly, and then continued:

There is definitely no problem with the approval of the Jaguar Land Rover factory construction project. After the project is approved, we will complete the land approval and planning as soon as possible, and then you can build the factory.

May I ask, how long will it take? Li Weidong asked immediately.

The project approval should be very fast. The main thing is to go through a process and get a seal from each department. It will definitely be completed within three months.

For such a large project as a car company building a factory, the project approval within three months is already extremely fast, and it is only in developed cities in China that such a fast approval can be achieved.

For example, when Tesla built a factory in Germany, the approval process took more than two years. After the German government approved it, it went to the local government for approval. After the local government approved it, it had to go through various environmental assessments. Musk almost gave up .

This is still in Germany, the most efficient country in Europe. If it is replaced by a lazier country, such as Italy and Spain, the government may not be able to complete the project approval if the government is full in one term.

However, Li Weidong was not satisfied with this, he shook his head: Three months is too long, I hope to complete the project approval within one month.

One month? Everyone in the room frowned slightly.

After a while, the leader said: Chairman Li, with all due respect, such a large project involves many departments. Even if it is a process, it is impossible to complete all approvals in a month.

Then can you give me a back door. Li Weidong smiled slightly, and then said: Let the approval process go first, and the construction of the factory area will proceed at the same time.

That's construction without trial! Everyone fell into deep thought.

It is definitely inappropriate to start construction before the approval of the project has been completed. However, if the local government turns a blind eye to it, it is indeed possible to do so, but if something really goes wrong, it must be done. responsible.

The construction of Jaguar Land Rover's factory is already a sure thing. If it is built before the trial, there should be no problem. It's just that the issue of responsibility is involved, and everyone dare not agree directly for a while.

Li Weidong went on to say: Leaders, although Jaguar Land Rover is not as good as top car groups like Volkswagen and General Motors, it is still a world-renowned luxury car brand. As a benchmark project for attracting investment.

If we can put the factory into production as quickly as possible, it will also have a good advertising effect, which will have a demonstration and driving effect on future investment promotion. Investors from various countries know that the efficiency of building factories here is so high, and they will definitely give priority to investing in us.

These words made everyone present nod their heads. A luxury car brand with decades of history is indeed very suitable as a benchmark project to show the efficiency of China to the world!

Talking about the benefits directly is indeed the most advantageous way of negotiation. Although the local government will bear part of the responsibility for the construction without review, it is easy to calculate which is more important when it comes to attracting investment.

Once it is successful, at least a good investment environment can be created for the outside world. Even if there are no international giants to settle in in a short period of time, as long as there are a few investment inspection groups, it is worth taking responsibility for this build without review.

Thinking of this, the leader said, Chairman Li, we will discuss your proposal immediately. As long as it is beneficial to the work of attracting investment, I think there should be no problem in principle.

Although the words were not clearly stated, it was equivalent to agreeing to Li Weidong's request in a different direction.

Li Weidong nodded in satisfaction, and then said with a smile: I will trouble the leaders to continue worrying about the project procedures!

...

As long as the local government allows the project to start, Li Weidong doesn't need to worry about other issues.

The domestic urban planning is still quite strong, especially in areas with relatively developed economies, there must be special industrial parks planned. The land and infrastructure are ready-made, which can save the trouble of land acquisition, and enterprises can directly settle in.

At that time, real estate had not been copied, the cost of land acquisition was much lower, and the price of land use was not high. Coupled with low labor costs, it was really a golden age for the development of manufacturing.

In terms of land, China does have a unique advantage. If it is placed in other countries, land will definitely be a problem.

For example, Tesla's German factory in the future has been delayed for a long time due to land issues. There are no residents on that piece of land, but tens of hectares of forest need to be cut down, so the local residents require the construction party to abide by regulations such as safety, water supply, and noise.

After solving the problem of safety, water supply and noise, environmental protection organizations asked Tesla to rebuild the forest and resettle the small animals in the forest. Tesla had to choose another piece of land to plant three times the number of trees, and built an artificial bird's nest around it. , artificial lizard nest and artificial ant nest to move the animals in the forest.

But even this is still not enough. The environmental protection organization pointed out that there is a kind of bat in the forest, which is hibernating, so the forest cannot be cut down in winter, and it can only be done after the bat wakes up in spring. So the deforestation work was delayed for three months because of a few bats.

In the end, Musk started clamoring for divestment, which forced the German government to intervene.

...

Negotiations are still ongoing at the Bemher factory.

Sir, the employer's lawyers rejected our proposed salary increase, but they are willing to consider giving us more shares.

After hearing the report from his subordinates, Norwood Jewell couldn't help but frowned.

It's like this again. They first rejected our conditions, and then made up for it from other aspects. After we offer new conditions, they will refuse again, and then make concessions from other aspects! This is completely delaying time!

Norwood Jewell is not an idiot either. After several rounds of negotiations, he has realized that the management is simply stalling for time.

The management is just delaying time. They have no intention of making concessions. It seems that it is impossible to make the management compromise through negotiation. We still have to go on strike!

Thinking of this, Norwood Jewell ordered: Notify our people that an indefinite strike will begin tomorrow!

Facing the strike, Li Weidong chose to lay off employees without showing any sympathy, just like last time.

Since the Jaguar Land Rover factory is going to be moved to China, it will be a matter of time before the Bemhull factory closes, so they simply take this opportunity to fire all the workers and save a sum of compensation.

Although it is easy for companies in the United States to lay off employees, a sentence of You're fired can make you pack up and leave, but it does not mean that there is no need for compensation. Especially when workers are backed by trade unions, the compensation is often huge.

Because there is a thing called a class action.

Large-scale layoffs, once it rises to the level of class action, the amount will be huge, and the corresponding legal fees will also be very high, which will allow some well-known large law firms to participate in class action cases, not to mention the United States The last thing you need is a lawyer.

It costs a lot of money to hire a lawyer to file a lawsuit, but class action lawsuits reduce individual litigation costs, which means that workers can hire well-known lawyers to help them file a lawsuit for a small amount of money.

A bird without a head does not fly, and a group of dragons without a leader will not be able to engage in a class action lawsuit. At this time, the trade union will naturally stand up as the leader, and by the way, it can improve its reputation. Therefore, in this class action for layoffs, the trade union will play a decisive role.

After Musk acquired Twitter in later generations, he dared to make large layoffs. One of the main reasons is that Twitter does not have a union.

The United Auto Workers is the most powerful trade union organization in the United States, and organizing a class action lawsuit is not easy! So Li Weidong simply took advantage of this wave of strikes and fired all the employees.

In the future, even if the trade union initiates a class action lawsuit, they will not get too much compensation, because the workers were laid off because of the strike.

...

The strike at the Bemher factory had just begun when layoff notices were posted.

Norwood Jewell's expectation that the management was so tough, after all, the management used the same method last time when there was a strike.

At the scene of the strike parade, the workers held signs in their hands and shouted slogans from time to time.

Among the crowd, a young man who sells beer is carrying a beer barrel and holding a disposable plastic cup, hoping to take the opportunity to make a fortune. A glass of beer costs $10, which includes my brother’s labor costs. The price is quite expensive, but there are really many strikers who are willing to patronize his business.

Do you think the strike is just holding up signs and shouting slogans? of course not. There's also beer, hot dogs, and all kinds of pies!

This is the case in the United States. Many inexplicable things can be manipulated into a grand party, or even a festival.

Several workers gathered together, drinking beer and discussing the strike.

Today's strike seems to end without a problem. The management did not compromise. We didn't get any benefits. Instead, we spent 10 dollars to buy a glass of beer! The person who spoke showed a displeased expression.

The activities organized by the trade union before were either queuing up for barbecue or drinking beer. They were very happy to eat and drink. Now that they are asked to strike and bring money, anyone will feel uncomfortable.

Another person said: I heard that the management has already started to lay off employees. Just like last time, it will start with the trade union cadres. As soon as the list of layoffs came out, the personnel department notified those people to go through the resignation procedures.

The management is really tough and dares to confront the union. Even China General Motors is not an opponent of the union. I really don't know where the confidence of the management comes from. The speaker was a new employee who obviously didn't know the history of the last strike.

The person next to him immediately explained: I remember that during the last strike, the management laid off half of the workers and drove the trade union forces out of the factory! Drop it on our heads.

That is to say, the trade union may not be able to fight against the management? We may lose our jobs? the man said worriedly.

When it comes to unemployment, some people can't help but panic. As for Americans, whoever gets a mortgage, car loan, credit card loan, once unemployed, all kinds of bills can crush people to death.

At this moment, there was a little commotion in the crowd in the distance, and Norwood Jewell was seen coming from a distance. Beside Norwood Jewell, there was a middle-aged man in his forties.

I saw Norwood Jewell came to the crowd, picked up a loudspeaker, and introduced: Workers, this is Congressman Menendez, he is here to support us!

The loudspeaker was handed to Senator Menendez, and the guy started talking.

In the United States, if you want to be a politician, you must have a mouth. Those who can become a congressman are all masters of speech. The same is true for Menendez. After Kang's impassioned speech, the workers' morale was immediately boosted.

Those workers who were still withdrawn or doubtful also had a backbone in an instant.

The most important thing in matters like the labor movement is to have a backbone. With a backbone, the workers will not be in a mess, not to mention that the backbone is a member of parliament.

Under the system of separation of powers in the United States, congressmen may not have much real power, but their ability to do things is definitely far superior to that of administrative agencies. With the backing of congressmen who are good at making things happen, the momentum of the strike grew instantly.

...

Li Weidong came to the negotiation site by car, and saw a man in his fifties surrounded by a group of people from a distance.

The lawyer said from the side: Mr. Li, that person is Congressman Menendez. I didn't expect the auto union to kiss him.

Is this guy helping the auto union? Those around him should be reporters, but they really know how to make a show! Li Weidong said.

The reporter was specially recruited by the trade union. The lawyer sighed helplessly, and continued, Mr. Li, if Menendez personally participates in the negotiation, we may have to make more concessions.

Li Weidong just smiled and did not answer. Since the factory is going to be moved to China, there is no question of making concessions.

After a while, Li Weidong saw his old acquaintance Norwood Jewell.

At this time, Norwood-Jewell was backed by a member of parliament, so he naturally looked arrogant.

Norwood Jewell failed to strike last time, but this time he planned to bite off a piece of flesh from Li Weidong!

At the beginning of the negotiations, the United Auto Workers Union took the lead in putting forward its own conditions, which were nothing more than the same old ones, asking for salary increases, vacations, and benefits.

Li Weidong's attitude didn't change either, and he didn't agree to any of them.

The lawyers of the two sides fought with each other, but failed to make any substantive progress, and the two sides undoubtedly fell into a stalemate.

At this moment, Norwood Jewell looked at the Senator Menendez next to him, which meant that it was your turn to act.

Menendez coughed dryly and said, We allow Jaguar Land Rover to build a factory in Bemhull because you drive local employment. If you can't provide jobs with reasonable remuneration, the residents of our state won't either. Your factories are welcome to stay here, our workers are not slaves, and there is no need for exploiters here!

Menendez's subtext is, if you don't give in in the negotiation, then get out!

But Menendez never expected that Li Weidong had been waiting for him to say this for a long time.

Li Weidong leaned forward without panic, and then said: Mr. Menendez, if you force us to accept the union's conditions as a member of parliament, then I can only move the factory to other places.

I didn't force you, I asked you to accept reasonable conditions from the union! Menendez snorted coldly, and continued; Of course, if you can't provide reasonable remuneration for the workers, then even if you move away, for our state It's not a loss either!

At this time, Norwood Jewell opened his mouth to smooth things over: Mr. Li, please don't be impulsive, moving the factory will cost a lot of money, which is not cost-effective for you. Instead of doing that, it is better to agree to our conditions, so that we It can reduce losses.”

The two people are obviously one singing red face and the other singing bad face, trying to force Li Weidong to submit.

Li Weidong replied: Your business conditions here have disappointed me. I have already decided not to continue investing here and move the Bemher factory away!

Hearing this sentence, Menendez and the trade union representative were stunned at the same time. They didn't expect that Li Weidong would really move out if he didn't agree with each other. They were also wondering whether Li Weidong was trying to scare people, or he was really going to die. .

Menendez smiled coldly; Since Mr. Li has decided to move, please go! But one thing, I want to make it clear in advance that exploiters who treat labor as slaves are not only welcome in our state, but also in other states. Not welcome!

Mr. Menendez, you were elected by voters in this state. Voters in other states did not vote for you, and you cannot make decisions on behalf of voters in other states. Li Weidong said slightly mockingly.

Menendez said with a gloomy face: I have friends in various places. Of course, the United Auto Workers also has many friends. And as a member of Parliament, I can also propose a specific proposal. In Congress We have the majority in both the House and Senate, and it is not difficult to pass some irrelevant issues!

These words are tantamount to giving Li Weidong a national hunting order. If Li Weidong wants to move the Bemher factory away, there will be no place in the entire United States to receive it.

Menendez is not alarmist. With the system in the United States, it may take a lot of trouble for congressmen to advance a certain project, but it is very easy for congressmen to block a certain project.

In Menendez's view, his national hunting order should be enough to make Li Weidong compromise, and Li Weidong should feel scared after receiving it. Not only will he agree to the union's conditions, but he will also kneel down and beg himself for forgiveness.

However, Li Weidong still looked calm, and he said: The world is so big, since the United States does not welcome investors, then I will move the factory to other countries! A luxury brand car factory, I believe any country None will refuse.

Hearing what Li Weidong said, Congressman Menendez's face changed slightly. If Li Weidong really moved the factory to other countries, it would be a big blow to him.

At that time, the crime of driving away investors will definitely fall on Menendez's head. Although he does not have to bear any responsibility, his opponents will definitely make a big fuss about this matter.

In addition, after the factory moves out, 2,000 local workers will lose their jobs. Behind this is 2,000 families, involving nearly 10,000 votes. If so many votes are missing, Menendez will not have to run in the next term.

Thinking of the election, Menendez suddenly felt a little discouraged.

However, Norwood-Jewell whispered from the side, in a voice that only two people could hear; Mr. Menendez, don't believe him, he is bluffing you! Moving the factory requires land, construction, and workers , even if the Bemher factory is to be moved, it will not be something that can be completed in a short time!

You remember that food processing factory in the next county, it took a year to build. This is still a small-scale food processing factory. For an automobile factory with thousands of people like Bemher, it would have been impossible to build it in three years without it!

If the project approval is slower, the entire project may be delayed for five or six years before it can be completed, and then it will take one to two years to restore the original production.

Such a long period of non-production will cause billions of losses to the management, which the government cannot afford. The so-called removal of the factory is just a bluff of the management, they absolutely cannot move the factory!

Menendez nodded silently. For a company with stable production, the biggest cost of moving a factory is not land, factory construction, or equipment transportation, but time.

This is the case in the manufacturing industry. Suspension of production is equivalent to loss. Every day of suspension of production, a lot of money will be lost. Suspended production for five or six years. For the boss, it is not as good as directly filing for bankruptcy.

Thinking of this, Menendez's confidence instantly became stronger. He smiled coldly and said, Since the management is not sincere, there is no need for us to continue talking.