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Just Desserts
WWilliams,
Well said.
There is still enough manufacturing work in the USA to provide plenty of work. As you say, in a global economy, the work has to be competitive.
Heavy complicated parts give the USA the advantage. Actually not entirely true. Molds and Castings are 90% rough done in China with cheap labor, the finishing is done in the USA with highly skilled and paid labor. Everyone wins to some extent.
Benefits are expensive today, compared to the past. There is no law cast in stone that requires a company to give any heath benefits, free of charge, to its employees. In the 40s, 50s , 60s , and even 70s, health care was cheap, people worked until they were 65, died at 70, and if you had a bad heart, nothing could be done. Now, with 30 and out, retiring at 50 is no big deal, most live to at least in their 80s(my dad worked until he was 65, got bored and worked again till age 93) and just a day in the hospital for observation is $4000 or more. Not cheap anymore. Benefits are based on agreements, made in good faith under cost conditions of the time they are made. When costs go up, is it fair for the company to absorb all of the additional costs.? I could cancel my share of the contributions to health insurance for my employees today. Save a ton of money. As a result , they would leave and work for someone who provides better benefits. Freedom of choice. But not an option for me as it is a poor business choice. Instead, share the costs, and work together.
At job interviews, the hot underlying question is "what is the benefit package?" As you say, Unions won great benefits. Now they need to give them back, at least somewhat. As you say, we have to compete in a global economy where our competition pays little or no benefits, and others have national health care. It is , as you say, just that simple, be competitive or die.
WWilliams,
Well said.
There is still enough manufacturing work in the USA to provide plenty of work. As you say, in a global economy, the work has to be competitive.
Heavy complicated parts give the USA the advantage. Actually not entirely true. Molds and Castings are 90% rough done in China with cheap labor, the finishing is done in the USA with highly skilled and paid labor. Everyone wins to some extent.
Benefits are expensive today, compared to the past. There is no law cast in stone that requires a company to give any heath benefits, free of charge, to its employees. In the 40s, 50s , 60s , and even 70s, health care was cheap, people worked until they were 65, died at 70, and if you had a bad heart, nothing could be done. Now, with 30 and out, retiring at 50 is no big deal, most live to at least in their 80s(my dad worked until he was 65, got bored and worked again till age 93) and just a day in the hospital for observation is $4000 or more. Not cheap anymore. Benefits are based on agreements, made in good faith under cost conditions of the time they are made. When costs go up, is it fair for the company to absorb all of the additional costs.? I could cancel my share of the contributions to health insurance for my employees today. Save a ton of money. As a result , they would leave and work for someone who provides better benefits. Freedom of choice. But not an option for me as it is a poor business choice. Instead, share the costs, and work together.
At job interviews, the hot underlying question is "what is the benefit package?" As you say, Unions won great benefits. Now they need to give them back, at least somewhat. As you say, we have to compete in a global economy where our competition pays little or no benefits, and others have national health care. It is , as you say, just that simple, be competitive or die.
