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In a PowerPoint presentation released as part of the Congressional investigation into Toyota’s “unintended acceleration” problems, the car manufacturer reveals that the delay of the Employee Free Choice Act was a “win” for its Washington lobbying office.
The July 2009 presentation by Toyota executives boasted that the delay of recalls saved the company $100 million. But a closer look at the presentation in full shows the disdain the company has for its employees and unions.
Under the header “Washington Office: Wins for Toyota & Industry,” Toyota lists as “‘Card Check’ – legislation delayed.” as a “win.” Not content with its delay, the Employee Free Choice Act is again listed as a “key issue” of Toyota’s government affairs team.
Labor issues: “Card Check”
- Easier union organizing
- Increased labor costs
- Mandated contracts
It’s also worth noting that the first ally of Toyota listed is the US Chamber of Commerce, which is referenced multiple times in the presentation as a reliable source.
A handful of Toytoas are union made, including the 2010 Corolla and Tacoma. But Toyota plans to close down one of its union plants, the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA that employs 4700. The AFL-CIO, UAW, and Teamsters renewed their efforts to keep the plant fro closing once Toyota’s “unintended acceleration” problems became a national issue. The deadline for the plant is April 1. (This is yet another good reminder to reference the UAW’s guide for union made cars.)
You can view the whole presentation from Toyota on its Washington affairs here (PDF).
11 Comments
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So where does EFCA stand at the moment Michael? Also, I noticed not trucks were listed on the UAW guide; is there another guide for trucks or all trucks-F-150,Ram,Silverado,GMC – made by non-union labor?
WIth 59 Dem Senators, ain’t going nowhere, especially with Blanche and Bad Nelson not wanting to support it.
As for trucks, click the tabs at the same link to see others besides cars
…because Toyota is SOOOO good for American workers.
The Dems can’t even cut ordinary Americans a fair deal on health care – NO WAY we’re getting card check……
Glad they saved some money….they need to take care of Koua Fong Lee and his family, as well as any other lives they destroyed from these horrible accidents.
Labor will be staying home come the mid-terms. No phone banking, door knocking, contributions to the party. And so went the middle class.
It would be worthwhile learning whether that passionate anti-labor perspective came from US managers, Japanese or was a specialty of the DC-based lobbyists they hired (which would suggest common views with whomever hired or employs them).
Sadly, that perspective merely makes Toyota fit right in with its American cousins. In an election year, that observation ought to make Congresscritters sit up and pretend to have a little passion for worker-voters, who might well stay home in droves owing to Congress’ mahvelously callous and poor performance this year and last.
Toyota does not have disdain for its employees it treats its employees very well. It does have disdain for unions as it should.
OK, we get it.
At a site known for a huge majority of it’s commenters being supporters of organized labor: instead of trying to draw them into pie-fights about the pros and cons, just write a diary with your views. That way you could plainly and succinctly elaborate on your “disdain for unions” and save us a whole lot of time.
The right way to do that can be found here.
..unless of course you are unable to summon a principled opposition that could withstand scrutiny…
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thank you.
This post has bought into the self-serving corporate narrative that the UAW, auto companies and the Democrats have been trying to serve up for months now. The UAW/AFL-CIO/Teamsters link you point to is just a bogus photo opportunity. Just like when Democrats sign “letters” in support of healthcare.
The UAW has completely sold out its workers and I don’t think it has much support from its rank-and-file. Here’s how NUMMI autoworkers really feel about their union.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nSBEZ1lAIY
The fact is that the UAW management brokered a deal with the Obama administration to get their payoff (the Voluntary Employee Benefit Association) in exchange for assuring that thousands of autoworkers would be out of work. Closing that plant was brokered months ago and behind closed doors, just like the bailouts and healthcare.
As for the ridiculous show the unions are making about Toyota and Japan? GM killed that plant when they pulled out of the venture, as part of Obama’s “restructuring”. A restructuring that saved union mgmt but cost thousands of workers their jobs.
As for buying a UAW car?
“Longtime Nummi worker and union member Ken Villegas, who was at most of the meeting, said the general tenor of the rank-and-file complaints were that union leaders should go after GM, as well as Toyota”
Autoworkers need better representation than the UAW. The EFCA will be meaningless with unions like these.