Auto woes hit home across the board
Asian, European companies feel effects of sales slump

Faced with slumping sales and a vehicle mix out of sync with consumer demand, automakers are scrambling to reduce production schedules. Key plants are idle, and generous employee buyouts have reduced headcount at plants operating under capacity. MORE . . .

The many faces of job insecurity
Nonunion workers can be tossed out at any time

“We have a term at Nissan: ‘When you’re hurt, you’re dirt.’ They have that fear put in us. If you’re out on (medical) leave at Nissan, you’re lucky if you come back.” Dwayne Willoughby, a 39-year-old Nissan worker in Smyrna, Tenn., since 1992, sums up the culture of fear and insecurity for workers at the plant. It’s a fear that workers say is purposefully cultivated by managers at Nissan, who know there are no checks and balances on how they treat workers. MORE . . .

The Spring 2008 issue of
On the Line News

1. Faces of Job Insecurity
2. Keeping Profits High on the Backs of Workers
3. Truthfinders: the Real Truth
4. Contracts Protect Retiree Benefits
5. Petioners to Toyota: Respond to Workers Concerns
6. Auto Sales Down, Auto Wages Up
7. Auto Industry Leaders Hurt All Workers

Are you next?
Toyota memo calls for lower labor costs

Toyota has a plan for your wages and benefits, and it’s not what you might think it is. Why?  Because, when it came to wages and benefits, Toyota used to look to the Big Three and their workers’ hard–won pay and compensation as a benchmark for setting Toyota’s worker’s wages.  MORE . . .

The Fall 2007 issue of
On The Line News

1. Toyota memo calls for lower labor costs
2. Family and medical leave
3. History from the ground up
4-5. The new American auto industry
6. Organizing Spotlight
7. Industry Issues
8. Does your Employer owe you money?
Donning & doffing
9. Mother of 10 terminated by Nissan