Alabama governor defends state from UAW criticism (headline sucks)

[DainBramaged]

Gov. Bob Riley fired back Thursday at the United Auto Workers, which cited Alabama's huge incentives to foreign automakers as an example of why the federal government should approve loans for troubled U.S. car companies.

Speaking in Detroit earlier in the day as he argued for Congress to provide loans to domestic car manufacturers, UAW President Ron Gettelfinger said Alabama had provided about $693 million in incentives to lure Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Hyundai and Toyota to the state.

"It just seems odd to us that we can help the financial institutions in this country, that we can offer incentives to our competition ... but at the same time we are willing to walk away from an industry that is the backbone of our economy," he said.

Riley said every state offers incentives to attract major economic projects, "so that's obviously not the issue."

"The real reason companies keep locating in Alabama is the quality of our work force and the exceptional products they make," Riley said in a statement. "With all due respect to Mr. Gettelfinger, great workers making great products is a proven recipe for success in Alabama, and it doesn't require a bailout."

Riley didn't mention another reason car companies like Alabama -- labor has yet to succeed in organizing workers at any of the state's auto plants.

Mercedes-Benz became the first automotive company to locate in Alabama when it received $253 million in incentives and selected Tuscaloosa County for its first U.S. assembly plant in 1993.

Since then, Honda and Hyundai opened vehicle factories in Talladega County and Montgomery County, respectively, and Toyota built an engine factory in Huntsville.

Gettelfinger singled out Mercedes-Benz for criticism, saying the German company received particularly lavish incentives.

"We can support our competition but we can't support an industry that's in need," said Gettelfinger.

Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., this week said bankruptcy was the best option for American car companies and predicted they wouldn't turn around operations until top executives are removed.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D94IUFF80.htm

[trof]

1. I'm angry and ashamed to be 'represented' by Riley and Shelby.

Sessions too.

[wilt the stilt]

2. Truth of the south

Until the late 60's all manufacturing was up north and the midwest. American businesses started to move south to right to work states(anti union) because we heard we were too expensive. Southerners rejoiced as they were going to their cheap labor model.(only a fool wouldn't realize that if they would move to the south that as soon as they can they would move offshore.

1990's- south starts to lose manufacturing to mexico and it accelerates to 3rd world countries(Nafta sucks as Ross Perot said it would)

Foreign car manufacturers start to open plants in the south to get around trade barriers. South subsidizes these companies by giving away all sorts of goodies(region ahead of country and what is different than what China is doing by taking american manufacturing?)- cheap labor model- Do you think for a moment that if there were no barriers to autos that these foreign manufaturers wouldn't move their manufacturing to a cheaper place.-

Hey south - fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me.- they were kicked in the face once when textiles and shoes moved out. if the barriers come down the foreign companies move out again

[DainBramaged]

4. No one here cares, they haven't even read this article.

[DainBramaged]

3. Kick for lying thieving cheating Union busting Senators from Alabama

[Romulox]

5. The scary part is that the current anti-Labor coalition is Southern Pukes and Western Dems. nt

[DainBramaged]

6. One last kick

Sorry, we're not giving prizes away for readin this, we only hope you'll maybe someday support us.