Toyota Workers Demand a Slice in Company's Success

The Toyota Motor Corp. is evidently one of the most successful companies in the business realm. The rise of the Japanese automaker is not new to everyone. But behind the significant success, the company’s workers in Kentucky plant are complaining about their health and safety benefits.

Analysts in the auto industry say that the corporate success story of the Japanese automaker depends heavily on the low-paid temporary workers. In addition, at the Georgetown, Kentucky plant, the automaker intends to slash wages and benefits.

In response to the said plan, the workers held a town hall forum called "The Human Cost of Toyota's Success" and this was held near Lexington. In the said forum, the workers voiced their clamor for the corporation to respect its workers and the community that made its Georgetown facility so successful. The Toyota door handle as well as other auto parts integrated to the vehicles may not have the impact if not for these workers.

Tim Unger, an 18-year veteran worker at the Kentucky plant, said, "I believe that as a company succeeds, the employees should also succeed.” Unger and other workers said that they see a need for a contract with the giant automaker. It is worth noting that Toyota has received $371 million in state and local government tax subsidies since 1986.

Unger added he has noticed that some longtime workers have "disappeared" from the plant - victims of Toyota's quest for improved efficiency. "Shoulders would wear out, wrists would require surgery and back and hands started to fail," he said. "It seemed as if the good people who contributed to the success of Toyota were being used up and disposed of like garbage."

Noel Christian Riddell, a 10-year veteran worker, said that things started out promising but later the veteran workers on the shop floor have been ignored. And the automaker hires low-wage temporary workers to preclude others from enjoying permanent employment with benefits.

"We executed model change activities faster than any other manufacturer. I truly felt my contributions played a role in the company's success," Riddell pointed out. "But something happened. After only a few years, training ceased. Suddenly I had no sick days. My raises became smaller. My benefits were cut. My group's manpower was slashed. And the number of temporary employees steadily grew."

Cornelia James, an 18-year Toyota worker, said that she has seen more jobs combined and others eliminated. But what is more disconcerting is an internal document that reveals the company's long range plans for wages and benefits. The document said that the corporation wants to "align" wages and benefits to other manufacturers in Kentucky. James quipped, "We have worked hard to make Toyota a success only to find out they have a secret plan for us. It's time for Toyota to sign a contract with us like everyone else they do business with."

The UAW Vice President Terry Thurman, who participated in the forum, said the union is committed to providing "all the assistance we can" to Toyota workers. "This is all about Toyota workers - their concerns, their interests, and their hopes for the future," said Thurman. "They are hard-working auto workers and they've helped make this company a tremendous success - and they deserve respect and dignity on the job."

He added, “In cooperation with local community and civic organizations, and the national Jobs with Justice campaign, the UAW is working to establish a Workers' Rights Board in Kentucky, which will be available to hear personal stories of Toyota workers and recommend appropriate remedies when necessary.”