Today went well. It was a sort of "mix-it-up" day. From time to time a teacher has to break from the the routine the class is used to and do an activity that is a bit different. Maybe it involves moving around the room, group work, computer lab, library, anything, so long as it is not part of the normal routine. It is a way to get some students back that begin to get bored with the routine. Sometimes it is difficult for a teacher to break that comfortable routine, but in the long run it pays off. Besides, the day goes by more quickly. The students also respond well to sincerity. Being absent Friday I needed a substitute teacher to cover the classes. When a teacher returns from a day off, they never know what the report will be. I received no report. Which means that there was nothing to report, hence well behaved classes all day! I gave a heartfelt and sincere thanks to the classes for giving me the peace of mind to know that if I should have to be out again that I won't have to worry about them. It truly is a big relief.
Today's Headlines:
Deadline Passes, Union Strikes at GM Plants (USAToday)
I know that some people won't want to hear what I have to say about this but, I am going to say it anyway. So have a seat. Times in industry are difficult. For years now, every time there is mention of labor negotiations, or contract discussions for workers in industry (usually union workers) the end result is what will the workers have to give up in order to keep jobs and the company in business. What seems to be the problem is how expensive it is to pay American workers compared to workers overseas. On the table, as is always the case, are the benefits received by the workers. I am sure that a very expensive portion of these benefit payments involve health insurance. The solution - universal healthcare. Studies have concluded that people with health insurance are less likely to get sick or seriously ill because they can afford preventative visits to their healthcare provider. If that is the case, less money will likely be spent on healthcare if everyone had healthcare. In addition to improved health, companies would pay out less in benefits and would pay their workers more who would have to pay the higher taxes to cover the cost of nationwide healthcare. By my estimation, companies would end up saving money because the cumulative pay increases for the workers would be less than the savings due to no contributions to workers' health insurance. In the end, both sides will win. Sure, some people will be steadfast against such a socialist idea, but when it makes fiscal sense, does it really matter? And besides, what is wrong with a good idea just because it requires higher taxes? Again, the way I see it is each person would pay an increase in their taxes which will be less than the amount they already pay for their own health insurance. As a result, by saving the insurance payment and paying the higher tax, there should be a net gain for the individual. Is this such a radical idea?
By the way, this is a pretty funny estimation of the problem in the auto industry. It was posted on the USA Today website by user "jerryspencer" for the article UAW strike comes as a shock.
GM's StatementA Modern Parable
A Japanese company (Toyota) and an American company
(General Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River . Both teams
practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the
race.
On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.
The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided
to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of
senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.
Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering,
while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing.
Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management
hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second
opinion. They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat,
while not enough people were rowing.
Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting
to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure
was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering
superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager. They also
implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the
boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality
First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens and a certificate of
completion for the rower There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and
other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.
The next year the Japanese won by two
miles.
Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower
(a reduction in workforce) for poor performance, halted development of a new
canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment.
The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executive s as bonuses and the
next year's racing team was "outsourced" to India ...
Sadly, the End.
However, sad, but oh so true! Here's something else to
think about:
Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its
factories out of the US, claiming they can't make money paying American wages.
Toyota has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside
the US
The last quarter's results:
Toyota makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9
billion in losses. Ford folks are still scratching their heads.
IF THIS WASN'T SO SAD IT MIGHT BE FUNNY!
UAW Statement
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