Chapter 363 Set a small goal

Both Whirlpool and the union had their options open, and the result was predictably that the negotiations broke down again.

Even though Whirlpool threatened to close the factory, the union still did not compromise. The union even stated that if Whirlpool really decided to close the factory, the union would immediately represent the workers and negotiate with Whirlpool about subsequent severance compensation.

We would rather lose our jobs than have benefits increased. This is the normal operation of American labor unions.

For example, the American automobile giant General Motors was forced into bankruptcy and reorganization by the Auto Workers Union. Even if an automobile giant like General Motors is like this, it will be even more difficult for smaller manufacturing companies to stand upright in front of the union.

At the management meeting, Smith reported the results of the negotiations to the management.

"What do the unions at the microwave oven factory think? Would they rather lose the factory than make concessions?" someone said angrily.

"I think the union thinks that we are just bluffing because we dare not close the factory!" another person said.

"What should we do now? Do we really have to close the factory and move the production line to China?"

"What else can we do? Unless we agree to the union's demands, but we all know that is impossible."

"Then we will close the factory and destroy everything. Those in the union will definitely regret it then!"

After a long discussion, everyone finally turned their attention to the CEO, hoping that he would make the decision.

The CEO pondered for a moment and then said, "Although I also want to keep the microwave oven production line in the United States, it seems unlikely now. The union's demands are too excessive, and we simply cannot meet their demands.

It is imperative to move the microwave oven factory to China. Smith, please contact Mr. Li in China and talk to him about the failure of the microwave oven factory relocation!

Everyone, I know some of you are against this decision, but it is not just a matter of one factory, the unions of other factories are also watching, so we must not be weak, we must kill the chicken to scare the monkey!

We have to tell the unions in other factories that if they continue to make excessive demands, we will close the factory and they will lose their jobs. The microwave oven factory is a lesson for them!"

…

When the lawyer responsible for negotiating unemployment compensation appeared in front of the union, the workers at the microwave factory realized that Whirlpool was not bluffing and that they really wanted to close the microwave factory.

Whirlpool decided to come to a decisive end. This was something the union never expected. However, the union was not panicked at all because they still had the so-called "Plan B".

Taylor also called Adams again.

"Mr. Adams, are you in Milwaukee now? If it's convenient, can we meet?" Taylor said in a respectful tone.

Whirlpool is going to close its microwave oven factory. From now on, everyone will have to look to Mr. Adams's new factory to have food and drink. Naturally, they must treat this future new boss with respect.

There seemed to be some noise on Adams' side, and he was heard saying loudly: "I'm not in Milwaukee now, I'm still in New York."

"Then when can you come to Milwaukee?" Taylor asked quickly.

"Probably next week! There are still a lot of complicated things to deal with here in New York." Adams then asked: "Mr. Taylor, do you have anything important to do with me?"

"Whirlpool has decided to close the microwave oven factory in Milwaukee. We will be out of a job soon," Taylor said.

"Really?" Adams' voice was full of surprise.

Adams was happy because once the microwave oven factory closed, he would receive the final payment immediately.

But Taylor thought that Adams was happy because he could recruit workers.

Just listen to Taylor continue to say: "This morning, Whirlpool's lawyers have arrived, and the lawyers are negotiating with the union on severance compensation. All workers in the factory are also unemployed."

Adams immediately remembered Li Weidong's instructions and went through the whole show to continue to stabilize Taylor.

So Adams said, "Mr. Taylor, I need your help with something. If you have time, please compile some basic information such as the work experience of the workers in your factory. I think this should be more important for union cadres."

Easy thing."

These words fell into Taylor's ears, as if he was filling out a personal information form for employment!

So Taylor immediately said: "Mr. Adams, please don't worry, just leave this little matter to me!"

After ending the call, Adams let out a sigh of relief and thought about when to go to Li Weidong to collect money.

At this moment, a voice came from behind Adams: "That guy who plays the priest, why are you still here? Go put on your makeup quickly, you'll be on stage soon!"

Adams nodded hurriedly: "Okay, I'll be there right away, hallelujah!"

In an instant, Adams switched his role from entrepreneur to priest.

…

Li Weidong was worried about long nights and long dreams, so when negotiating with Whirlpool, he did not make excessive demands. He even made some concessions on conditions, just so that Whirlpool could move its microwave oven production line to China as soon as possible.

The negotiation went very smoothly. The main content was determined on the first day. It took another two days to agree on various details. Then Li Weidong signed the contract with Whirlpool.

When Whirlpool officially announced the closure of the Milwaukee microwave oven factory, the union was still arguing with lawyers over compensation issues. Workers such as Taylor were also eagerly waiting for Mr. Adams to move their factory to Milwaukee and collect the $12 hourly wage.

.

There are even some union members who are still dissatisfied with the $12 hourly wage and plan to negotiate with Adams after taking office to get better conditions, such as more expensive medical insurance and dental insurance.

And Adams also received the last balance payment before Li Weidong left the United States. The moment he received the balance payment, Adams disappeared from the world, as if he had never appeared.

…

The United States implements an at-will employment system. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act of the United States, employers can fire employees at any time for any reason, and employees can leave their jobs at any time for any reason without any financial compensation.

In other words, if the company really wants to fire you, saying "Yor're fired" can really notify the security to kick you out.

However, in the actual operation process, it is not so smooth. Race, skin color, sexual orientation, physical disability, etc. are all used by employees to bargain with their employers.

After all, political correctness is very important in the United States. In addition to being biased against Chinese Americans, we cannot be biased against African Americans, we cannot be biased against women, we cannot be biased against gays and lesbians, and we cannot be biased against people with disabilities.

Of course, apart from these personal factors, workers’ biggest supporter is the trade union.

When a company faces a union, even the Fair Labor Standards Act is of little use. The union will definitely find an excuse to require the company to compensate workers.

So in order to lay off these workers at the microwave oven factory, Whirlpool paid a large sum of severance pay.

After receiving severance pay, many workers choose to take the money to take a vacation. For Americans, they don’t have much habit of saving. If they suddenly get a compensation, they don’t want to go to Las Vegas.

With two, you can live frugally.

The same was true for Taylor. After he received the compensation, he went out for a short vacation. When he returned to Milwaukee, he was shocked to find that most of the equipment in the microwave oven factory had been dismantled.

Taylor realized it was time to get back to work, so he called Adams.

"The number you dialed is currently unavailable. Please leave a message after hearing the 'beep' sound..." Such a voice came from the phone.

In developed countries, whether it is a mobile phone or a landline, telephone messages are very common.

"Mr. Adams, this is Taylor. If you hear my message, please call me back." Taylor left a message for Adams.

Taylor waited for two days, but did not receive any news from Adams. He was a little anxious, so he dialed Adams' number again.

It’s still the same sentence “The number you dialed is currently unanswered, please leave a message after hearing the ‘beep’ sound…”.

Taylor instinctively felt something was wrong.

Over the next few days, Taylor began to inquire about Adams.

…

Taylor contacted the real estate agency and found the agent who had shown Adams the house.

"You mean Mr. Adams, I haven't seen him for a long time!" the agent replied.

"I heard that he has taken a fancy to a factory. Has the deal been completed?" Taylor asked again.

The agent shook his head: "No, Mr. Adams originally had his eye on a factory and the price had already been negotiated. However, just before signing the contract, he regretted it and said he wanted another factory.

I had no choice but to take him to negotiate the previous factory, but after the price was agreed upon, Mr. Adams regretted it again. He hoped that I could help him find a larger factory.

I followed his request and helped him find another factory. After seeing the factory, he expressed satisfaction, but when it came time to sign the contract, he regretted it again. If Mr. Adams hadn't been so generous, I would have thought he was

You are deliberately playing tricks on me!"

"Generous?" Taylor was stunned.

"Yes, even though none of the factories I found were to Mr. Adams' liking, he still paid me a service fee of one thousand US dollars, so my work was not in vain!" the agent replied with a smile.

Taylor asked again: "Do you have Mr. Adams' contact information there?"

"Sorry, I can't disclose client information." The agent shook his head and said.

"I really need to find Mr. Adams! This is related to the livelihood of hundreds of workers!" Taylor said urgently.

After Taylor's hard talk and nudges, the agent finally revealed a phone number to Taylor.

However, this is also a number that Taylor is very familiar with. In the past few days, Taylor has called this number many times and left messages on this number many times. However, there has been no word from Mr. Adams. Mr. Adams has never replied.

The clue is broken again!

…

Adams would naturally not use his real name when he was out to deceive.

Looking for a person whose name you don't even know in the United States is undoubtedly like looking for a needle in a haystack.

There was no Internet at that time, there were no various social media, and it was impossible to launch a human flesh search. Taylor wanted to find Adams, unless he happened to see Adams' performance when he went to Broadway.

This chance is very slim, not to mention that Adams always wears makeup when performing. With his face covered with heavy makeup, it may be difficult to recognize Adams.

For two whole weeks, Adams never showed up. Not only Taylor and the union were worried, but also the laid-off workers at the microwave oven factory.

People kept coming to the union or Taylor to ask when the new microwave oven factory would be built and when Mr. Adams would show up.
To be continued...