Here We Go Again
Last week a half dozen former Delphi workers, all over 60, had an informal discussion. A chief engineer, three engineers, a production manager and a facilities manager. All of us had landed at our recent employer within the last three years. The mood was grim as the employer is in deep trouble. I asked the question "Is this place going to make it?" Looking down, the production manager said "I dunno. It doesn't look good. The money runs out at the end of December." I asked "What are you guys going to do?" The chief engineer said "This is my last job." The others said "Me too" or nodded in agreement. I said "Same here."
About 270 years of experience amongst the six of us soon to disappear from the workforce...forever. All of us gave it our best but there was no business model for success. All of that work went to Asia forever. The factory that we created for three years will never develop product and will likely be purchased at pennies on the dollar by Asians ...or just scrapped in place. All research and development and production will come from Asia.
In 2008, Delphi permanently laid off 600 salaried employees at one plant alone. 18,000 years of experience! All of that experience, as well as the work and GDP, went to Asia as well. America said "We're not going to do this ever again."
All of us wanted to work for another 4 or 5 years principally to have better pensions, social security benefits and health insurance. Instead we'll all retire with reduced pensions and social security while trying to find an insurance solution until Medicare is available. We'd all prefer to work but no one is going to hire a 60+ year old engineer or manager. It just doesn't happen even in a good economy.
So look for another half dozen old guys to disappear from the workforce, maybe go on disability, in the next few months. And no, none of us are making room for younger guys to take our places. The jobs will all go to Asia never to be a part of US GDP ever again.
About 270 years of experience amongst the six of us soon to disappear from the workforce...forever. All of us gave it our best but there was no business model for success. All of that work went to Asia forever. The factory that we created for three years will never develop product and will likely be purchased at pennies on the dollar by Asians ...or just scrapped in place. All research and development and production will come from Asia.
In 2008, Delphi permanently laid off 600 salaried employees at one plant alone. 18,000 years of experience! All of that experience, as well as the work and GDP, went to Asia as well. America said "We're not going to do this ever again."
All of us wanted to work for another 4 or 5 years principally to have better pensions, social security benefits and health insurance. Instead we'll all retire with reduced pensions and social security while trying to find an insurance solution until Medicare is available. We'd all prefer to work but no one is going to hire a 60+ year old engineer or manager. It just doesn't happen even in a good economy.
So look for another half dozen old guys to disappear from the workforce, maybe go on disability, in the next few months. And no, none of us are making room for younger guys to take our places. The jobs will all go to Asia never to be a part of US GDP ever again.
posted by lugh lampfhota at 9:38 PM
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