Just when you thought it was safe to go back into the factory… As per normal, a contract is running out on an auto manufacturer and the UAW are planning on striking. But what makes this story unusual is that Detroit aren’t the auto maker in question. Mitsubishi are. Workers at Mitsubishi Motors’ only North American plant in Normal, Illinois, were instructed to pick up their picket times at the union headquarters, whilst negotiations were continuing. If an agreement is not reached by 23:59 on Friday, then, the strike will commence. Curiously, the union are playing their cards cautiously. Union bargaining chairman, Fred Morisette “couldn’t comment on negotations” and last month, the union held a strike authorisation vote, but hasn’t made the outcome of that vote public knowledge. 4 models are in jeopardy, the Eclipse, Endeavor, Galant and Spyder. But there’s little cause for concern. In August 2008, Mitsubishi Motors posted a 29.3% drop in sales (9200 units compared to 13020 units in August 2007). So they need to ramp down production little, don’t they?
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As a resident of Bloomington-Normal, IL, I can say that this has not been a major issue. No mention in our paper. Sadly, that factory employs a fraction of what it used to. I honestly think that Mitsubishi’s future is pretty grim.
Cammy, what is your point? Why did they want to go on strike, what were their demands? Of course Mitsu is in trouble, because it had an affair with Chrysler, and got contaminated with quality issues, and Chrysler`s complete lack of any hardware input to Mitsu. Ditto Isuzu.
Mitsu’s problems weren’t caused by Chrysler alone. They’ve had quality issues in the past that manifested itself in Hyundai, Chrysler, and Mitsu products back in the 80’s and early to mid 90’s.
Couldn’t they just import those models from Japan and just shut down production in the U.S. considering they are over producing anyway. Or are some of those models only made at that assembly line. It would suck for those workers but the UAW looks like they are shooting themselves in the foot, again, still.
Mitsu came to Canada long after they were in the US. I remember going to the first dealership in my neighhourhood, and the only thing that caught my attention was the receptionist. The interior of the cars was as bad as anything the Big 2.8 produced, the Eclipse was for micro people, and the rest of the cars were nothing special. The only car that seems to have made any kind of impact is the Eclipse, and that is within a very narrow demographic. They could disappear and no one would notice.
“As per normal”! Is that a pun on Normal, IL?
What models are produced there? It sounds like a ghost plant.
It would likely be best to shut down the plant, but I am sure that the UAW leadership wants that to happen for some arcane benefit. Workers be damned.
jwltch :
September 5th, 2008 at 9:54 am
As a resident of Bloomington-Normal, IL, I can say that this has not been a major issue. No mention in our paper. Sadly, that factory employs a fraction of what it used to. I honestly think that Mitsubishi’s future is pretty grim.
Nothing like the UAW calling for a strike at the right time.
There use to be a union run United Airlines repair facility near where I live. The union went on strike, so United just shut it down and left town. It wasn’t a good time to strike you might say.
The Normal plant builds the Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse (coupe and convertible). The plant used to have 3 full shifts. A major employer. People driving from 60-80 miles one way to work there. It’s now shrunk down to okay-pay, one small shift, etc. They just recently completed an employee buy-out to shrink the payroll. They are not a major player in this area employment-wise like they were 10 years ago. And that has affected other businesses in the area that supplied parts to the factory.
And I guess you can’t just choose to stay at your job even if all of your union buddies decide to strike?
Remind me why I would want to be in a union?
Thanks, I diagree with the union this time and b/c I would like to continue to recieve a paycheck from my employer and because I would like my employer to recognize how important this job is to the well being of my family – I’ll just stay on the job – thanks…
Of course the union guys would likely destroy your car, threaten you will bodily harm each time you cross the picket lines and likely there would be some entertaining phone calls.
No thanks – I’ll stay in a right-to-work state. The situation here has been good to me and mine despite the fact that we don’t have union protections and no state laws that require us to join a union.
Good luck to you guys.
The only car which even remotely sells half way decently, coming out of this factory, is the four cylinder Galant.
Unfortunately for the workers at Normal, if they cease production and go out on strike, Mitsubishi “could” simply call upon CMC in Taiwan (part-owned) to ship up-market Galant four cylinder cars – using significantly cheaper labor rates – and simply begin delivery of them within a matter of months.
It’s essentially the same car as the US version with a few upgrades and slightly different trim, grill, etc.
Mitsubishi dealers could probably slap a $2000 reduction on the price, and add leather, standard which might even wake up the buying populace to this make again.
I still think Mitsu and Suzuki should join hands – they’re too weak to stand on their own in this shrinking marketplace.
Suzuki’s part-owned (with GM) CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario is another factory which is in mortal danger of not being viable. Builds only SUV’s.
If Suzuki and Mitsu were to merge, and they moved Lancer production to Normal (as well as Outlook and possibly Suzuki production) and let GM buy the CAMI plant, or possibly close Normal and buy up GM’s interest in the Ingersoll plant, that’d be all they’d need in North America.
The UAW in this country seem hell-bent on self-destruction. Couldn’t happen to a nicer bunch of people…. it’s just a pity about the usual dissmation of the ordinary guy’s and gal’s lives from this B-S.
Suzuki’s part-owned (with GM) CAMI plant in Ingersoll, Ontario is another factory which is in mortal danger of not being viable. Builds only SUV’s.
CUVs in today’s parlance. The XL7 and that ilk.
Even though Mistus’s sales are down the UAW is their biggest problem for their plant. If they were not union they could have JV with other Japanese’s OEM like Toyota and Subaru at SIA.
The best option for Mistu is shut down the plant and sell it to the Indian’s or Commie Chinese.
If a carmaker leaves a market and no one notices, does it make a sound?
I can hear coming from the board room now…
“Oh NO! Don’t throw me in the Briar Patch!”