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| Production Continues At NRV Volvo Plant Despite Strike |
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| Written by David Grimes | |
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As the strike prepares to enter its fifth week, Volvo Trucks of North America is saying production is continuing at the New River Valley plant.
“There are about 300 people working at NRV every day, including all of our non-bargaining unit people and a number of bargaining unit people who have returned to work,” said Per Carlsson, President of Volvo in a letter dated Feb. 27, 2008 and sent to company employees this morning. “As of this week, we also have several volunteers from the North American truck organization assisting.”
Carlsson went on to say in the letter, “Only a few days after the strike began, NRV staff set to work on incomplete “float” trucks, and succeeded in transferring more than 180 trucks in nine days.
“Last week, the staff began to train non-assembly people in assembly methods, and turned their attention to trucks that had been on the line when the strike began. The spirit of the plant was excellent and thanks to everyone’s hard work the team succeeded in completing 46 vehicles by the end of the week. Experienced managers from the Quality department are inspecting each unit to validate quality prior to shipment.”
“The plant has an ambitious goal of ramping up to about 24 units per day over the next few weeks, and they will continue to do everything they can to increase production as much as possible, as soon as possible.”
Carlsson also added in his letter, “while we hope that the parties can agree on dates to return to the table soon, and that we can resolve our issues, we are continuing to explore all the options available to allow us to return to full production without the UAW if the strike wears on.”
The letter ended with, “I know that all of you join me in applauding the NRV team’s efforts, and in wishing them continued success as they conduct this important work under very difficult circumstances.”
Carlsson’s letter started off with, “I want to take this opportunity to make you aware of – and express the company’s great appreciation for – the tremendous work that is being done at the NRV plant despite the strike.”
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Comments (26)
  written by @#$%^&*()), March 02, 2008
I've got a story of vandalism for you too. I was driving by the picket lines the other day and my daughter asked me Daddy why are all those people standing out there with signs. I said honey they are standing up for their right to have a safe work environment and to maintain benefits that they and their union brothers and sisters have fought hard to obtain over the years. Then she saw cars coming out of Volvo, she said Daddy why are those people coming out of there, I thought the workers were standing up for themselves. I said Honey that is a person who thinks that they shouldn't have to fight for such rights. She said Oh a freeloader. I said yes honey, those are people who make it easier for Volvo to vandalize our lives. With their help the company can take destroy out benefits. This really worried her to the point that she said well Daddy shouldn't someone stop them? I said well we can't stop them because they have no conscience. They think its okay to go in there and help Volvo and let the other people gain their benefits for them. They think the company really cares about them. The truth is they are just enablers, enabling the company to get one over on all their coworkers and then they expect everyone to be happy with them. She said that just doesn't make sense. I said no honey, it doesn't.
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written by hmmmmmmm!!!! and I see dumb people, March 02, 2008
I don't really care about the strike. I was just on here to entertain myself. It was fun to see that you all use the same kind of attitude that you accuse other people of using. Just want to prove that we are all alike and there's no reason to make comments about stuff you can't even change. Point proven!!!
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written by hmmmmmmm!!!!, March 02, 2008
I hope they catch those people (and I know they have to be union members) and that they are exposed for who they really are.
Is that you God? No, sorry, it's just someone posing as you. In response to anyone that makes the remark that the Union members should be opposed to this behavior. Once again I want to point out that it has not be proven that it has happened or that if it did happen that is was a union member. Maybe is was a jealous wife? Who knows who it was? No one, so quit accusing and condemning a group for things that you have no evidence was done by anyone associated with it. Who needs a God when we are all being judged by self righteous people here on earth. Maybe you should pray for yourself for assuming what you read on a forum is true and then acting like the judge and jury. report abuse
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 written by Dan, March 02, 2008
Once again I will say it: I don't care who did it, Unionist or whoever, none of you have ever condemned these actions nor have you ever offered a word of sympathy.
You keep repeating the same crap that all of these union posters have already said. I don't care who the person was I am bothered along with many others that you don't seem to think these actions are wrong. None of the union members said anything about how wrong they are! If that's not the way you feel, that these actions are wrong, then you have more than a strike to worry about you have mental issues. No matter who did it, these actions are going too far. I for one would not be surprised if it's union related. report abuse
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 written by ROB, March 02, 2008
YES, the union should be united but,all are not responsible for the actions of a few.
You too are united with the comunity ,county,state,country. Are you somehow held accountable for others too,I wouldn't think so There is bad apples in all walks of life,so please do not put the blame on the union. If these people break the law then the law will hand out justice,for what they did not because their a union member. report abuse
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 written by Conerned Community Member, March 02, 2008
I am so sorry for you and your family, Our church had a special prayer for your family today. I pray for the healing of your family. Your 2 year old will be a long time getting over this and so hopefully our prayers will help your family.
I hope they catch those people (and I know they have to be union members) and that they are exposed for who they really are. You have my support. The person "to the the dumb people" well if you are this insensitive to this situation then maybe you are the guilty one or you know who did this to this family. Shame of you. I hope this all will end soon. But Union members wake up and take the time to talk to your group about how bad this is for the families and to make sure they are not involved and if they are (which I know they are)....President of the Union take control of your Union members and fix this situation. I know that you think your not but you are Union and you are responsible for the action of these employees. To the mother of the 2 year old we support you and our prayer is that your family will heal from this tragedy. report abuse
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 written by concerned citizen, March 02, 2008
I really wish that everyone would stop arguing with each other and just get a clue... people are getting hurt in all of this and it needs to stop! I might be one of the few people on here who actually has an idea of what is going on. For all of you on here who don't think the vandalism happened, then you all need to wake up because it is very real. I was there when our cars were being smashed in that night. Not only was I there but I saw it so for anyone to come on here and say that I am misinformed or that this incident didn't really happen then those people are being very insensitive to this situation. I have a HUGE problem with anyone coming to my house in the middle of the night and smashing in our cars right beside of my daughter's bedroom window. No, I can't prove with hard evidence that who I saw that night belonged to the union. However, there were threats made prior to this incident by members of the union, and then this happened. Coincidence? I don't think so. There is an investigation going on right now regarding this incident and I pray to God that they find the person responsible for this so that everyone in the community can see the union for who they really are. Yes, ALL union members are responsible for this because you all are UNITED - that means you all need to take responsibility for the actions of a few members. My daughter will never be the same and neither will I after something like this happens. It shouldn't be the case that we have to be afraid in our own home especially over something this stupid.
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written by Dan, March 01, 2008
To "I See Dumb People"
Let me clarify something, my problem is not with the strike it's the attitude displayed by you and the strikers, or should I call them cronies? Since you think that I must come on here with a ton of friends posting a bunch of messages for no reason other then to piss you off. That's not the case...I have nothing to lose either way. But here is my big problem it is the fact that the way you portray yourself here will reflect on you and your union. Not once have I heard any of you make a stance in solidarity against these actions. That is, if they happened and even if they didn't why do I not hear any of you condemn it? Perhaps you don't have a problem and if that is the case, then get lost. If not then prove it. report abuse
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written by ROB, March 01, 2008
This is for the nonunion workers around your area.
It's easy to drive by and flip them off ,it's easy to sit behind your P/C and be a "big" person cutting somebody's throat. But, what you don't know or understand is THEIR FIGHT IS YOUR FIGHT TOO! IF THEY LOSE .....SO DO YOU ALL IN THIS AREA. TO THE BRO. AND SIS. IN THE UNION ,STAY THE COURSE RUN A CLEAN STRIKE AND THE COMMUNITY WILL SUPPORT YOU. These narrow minded people that get on here are just misinformed and uneducated. It's your jobs as union leaders to keep the members informed and you'll do alright in your fight. they'll always be a smart mouth to get on here to cause trouble ,but what else is new??? WE might not always WIN but we'll always FIGHT UNITED WE FIGHT ...DIVIDED WE BEG. YOU HAVE OUR SUPPORT BROTHERS AND SISTERS @1224 report abuse
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written by I still see dumb people, March 01, 2008
Until you can prove that a union member actually vandalised someone's property I will continue to believe that the stories are fabricated out of someone's desire for sympathy. I haven't seen a member yet who has been charged or arrested for any such thing.
If such a thing has happened...... Maybe it's a neighbor, an ex or a "friend" or a "friends" wife/husband who sees this as an opportunity to seek revenge. Nah, couldn't be anyone but the people standing up for their rights. Seems like everything else is being blamed on them, may as well put this on their backs too. Shows how narrowed minded you and your cronies on here can be. report abuse
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written by Dan, March 01, 2008
Still looking in the mirror I see. To begin with I do not believe that everyone on the line is running around Pulaski County throwing nails in driveways, that would be too obvious and pretty darn stupid. We can agree on the fact that not everyone is doing it. Right?
But my problem is when you start standing hard and attacking those who are victims of the FEW idiots who do. Would you agree that with all those employees it is hard to say that no one is doing that? Would you agree that if someone is you need to make a statement that you don't tolerate this action? If you agree with me then why don't you do so instead of defending every little thing. This is why I find you to be the true "dumb" person. I have no problem with your unions strike but I do have problems when someone who is concerned about the situation and you respond on the defensive instead of apologizing for their inconviences and then attacking them and calling them "dumb." This illustrates the point as to why I feel that you need to find a new job because you are not considerate about others and I do not want to get behind the wheel of a Volvo truck you touched. report abuse
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written by fun, funny and funnier, March 01, 2008
This forum is suppose to be about Production Continues At NRV Volvo Plant Despite Strike. Wrong forum to bring up the vandalism accusations anyway.
To freebird24084 Go ahead and offer yourself to Volvo for 12-14 a hour. Let's see how long you will work there for that and pay for your medical insurance. Remember the grass is not always greener on Volvo property.....I wish some of you could do our exact jobs in there a couple of weeks. I would love to hear your comments after that little experiment. I bet you wouldn't be so condescending of the people who work there that are speaking from experience. report abuse
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written by I see dumb people, March 01, 2008
Perhaps you missed this part of my post:
It has yet to be proven that a union member did anything. So until you can prove that back off. That's exactly what I was talking about, people making comments when they have idea of what's going on. I guess you think it's okay for you and your followers to come on here and badmouth Union members. I made up the name because it seemed fitting for some of the comment posters on this page. If the shoe fits............. report abuse
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written by Conerned Community Member, March 01, 2008
You have some very severe problems,
"show my ignorance on a public forum" We all started out with support for you issues with Volvo but you all (you are a part of the Union right??) well then your a part of the trash that's happening to the people who need to work.........the people who need to eat..... You are the ignorant person on this forum, please look in the mirror at yourself and look at what you have become..............non caring.....non caring about the lives human beings...........I am in no way ignorant and I hope that you do loose your job with Volvo since apparently you have no real education ----wow that's very obvious.........it shows in the way you think and feel about others........who cares about that stupid job if during this time your team hurts someone more serious..........your a small minded person.........that is apparently what the Union is made up of..or at least thats the example you are setting by making those statements.....I certainly would not want you representing my company or working for me........with that much disregard for people and their safety you deserve whatever Volvo decides.............I hope Volvo Corp is reading this forum just to see what kind of idiots they have on the line. This blog is only for "I see dumb people"....not all of the Union/Volvo employees ....just to you.....so back up You are a sad person.........poor poor you......your so selfish ....oh it apparently is evident that you have no family since you can't understand what the 2 year old is going through. SAD! report abuse
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written by Dan, March 01, 2008
To "I see dumb people"
It's obvious to me and I think just about everyone else who is reading that you are the true dumb one, I suppose you spend many hours looking in the mirror. Your response to Concerned Community Member abou the nails in the tire and breaking down just illustrates your intellect. In anycase, you cannot just stand there and tell that this does not bother you. If that's the case then perhaps Volvo should look for new employees, who wants to have some idiot who does not value the lives of others working on their vehicles? Not me! Once when you are fired then you will have to find a regular job where you have to face your employer and tell them your issues versus hiding behind a union tag. report abuse
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written by Conerned Community Member, March 01, 2008
Can you explain what's so funny about this nasty situation?
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 written by I see dumb people, March 01, 2008
blah, blah, blah So since you think its the union's fault what their employees are being accused of doing; is it also the Companies fault when THEIR employees disobey the law? It has yet to be proven that a union member did anything. THINK about it--there are close to 2500 union members--the same amount of volvo employees minus a few. The union has no more control over them than Volvo does.
As far as the wife breaking down on side of the road crap, what do you think when she breaks down and you are at work and they "don't have anyone to cover you" or your child is sick or a family member is dying and they can't let you go because they don't have anyone to cover you. Sometimes they just make you wait and train someone even though they have a training department that is suppose to do that. In summary, it would be nice if you actually knew what you were talking about before you showed your ignorance on a public forum. report abuse
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written by Conerned Community Member, February 29, 2008
Can you believe it. Attacking others by placing nails in there driveways, what if a mom is driving her kids to daycare/school has a tire blow out and wrecks!!!
OR Your a husband in the Union and someone tries to do damage to your propery or..... your wife has to work somewhere far away she is traveling on 81, she has a flat pulls over (because of one of your nails in there driveway or sugar in their gas tanks) imagine this......it's getting dark, a stranger pulls in behind her, rapes/abducts/murders her, now tell me "WHO'S FAULT IS THAT".........Let me guess Volvo's because your in the middle of bargining ( which is fine ) but you have all crossed the line when you take it this far. This is sad, dangerous, and I hope the police intervene before someone gets hurt. How childish and how selfish even worse, its a crime. I am shocked that the Union would resort to such horrific tactics. Wow what happened to you all wanting us to support you............not now, I know for a fact you are hurting others and their families and you no longer have the support that you think from your community. This is sad. Just plain sad. report abuse
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 written by reighnmaker, February 28, 2008
talking about support.i support the guy in the dodge truck riding around with the sighns in his truck against the union. he has guts just like we all should and stand against the union and maybe we can all go back to work.
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 written by Derek Lyons, February 28, 2008
The people in the union are selfish. They have taken this thing way too far by following people home and damaging personal property. The people that do these things don't realize who they are actually hurting in all of this. Perhaps, the union members have forgotten about all of the children who have to wake up in the morning and be scared because of what they have heard in the middle of the night. Seriously, if you are that upset that other people are still going to work, then get out of the union and go back to work yourselves. Leave the rest of us out of this!!!
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freebird24084, Lowly rated comment [Show]
 written by funny........, February 27, 2008   that is funny
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 written by Lug Nutz, February 27, 2008
I totally respect standing up for what you believe in, but all of this public out cry for public support just makes unions look so selfish. For example... if I show my support for the union while they are on strike, does that mean I cant expect the union to show me support when I have a disagreement or lose my job with my non-union employer? I seriously doubt it. Or would you say I need a union job to be worthy of support? Would it really matter? Unions on strike seem to want all this public support, but after they get what they want, do you really think they are gonna care about your non-union labor problems? Just something I thought the non-union public ought to think about when they drive by the picket line with thier horn blowing.
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 written by dja, February 27, 2008
I googled north american truck organization. Could not find anything. It but be some of Volvo's drinking buddies from BT's.
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Sir James Matthew Barrie was a Scottish novelist and dramatist best known for creating the character Peter Pan, whom he based on his friends, the Llewelyn Davies boys. Educated at Dumfries Academy and Edinburgh University, he became a journalist and, later, a celebrated novelist who counted Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Thomas Hardy amongst his friends and acquaintances. Why was Barrie disappointed with the statue of Peter Pan erected in Kensington Gardens, London?
