Okay well on my way to and from work today (around 11:30 am and 4:30 pm) i saw a bunch of people infront of BMW Mountain View, and Mini Mountain view with white picket signs that said something like -
On
Strike
Auto Mechanic

Then a bunch of smaller words i couldn't read, I am guessing they are mad at their corporate owners Auto West? Any know anything about this?

I'm Ron Burgundy?

I do know that BMW of Mountain View is a union shop, and Auto Nation is a pretty awful company to work for, in my experience, so it's not too surprising.

i had an appointment today at bmw of mountain view and it got cancelled ... a work stoppage started from the technicians is what i was told. Damn this is suuuuuuuper inconvenient. Ive delayed getting some maintenance done for months... now when i set an appointment it gets canned. LAME

It's true, both stores are on strike. The contract was up midnight Saturday, Autonation has NOT been bargaining in good faith. The last "meeting" had our 2-reps waiting for 1-1/2 hrs before anyone from Autonation's side offered anything different from it's last offer. One of the last things from Autonation was "I guess we'll be back in June sometime to continue our negotiations". We want to keep the same contract we had only adding timely cost of living adjustments. Their offer is to: Drop pay 3-4 Dollars an Hour,eliminate sick leave,drop 6-paid holidays,raise medical costs substantially, use only their health plan, eliminate Dental and Vision,open Saturdays-and to go to strictly flat-rate with no garantee. Bmw is one of the most advanced cars out there. Along with the technology comes advanced diagnosis, and major software issues. They are not a KIA, or a Saturn. To repair these under a major time constraint only harms the quality of many repairs, and does not compensate the technician for his years of Factory Training,his 10's of thousands of dollars of his own tools, and the satisfaction of doing a quality repair. Someone had to stand up to Autonation!!!!!! HONK WHEN YOU DRIVE BY!!!

^^^^^^^^^^^ jeez disgruntled eh? sounds like a valid reason to strike. ill honk when i cruise by.

mini15, I wish you the best of luck getting AutoNation to cooperate and give you guys the pay and benefits you deserve. You were absolutely right when you said someone had to stand up to AutoNation. I had the unfortunate experience of working for AutoNation for just over a year, and after dealing with their dishonesty, empty promises, and poor management, I made one of the best decisions of my life and left the dealership. You're lucky to be part of a union, if I still lived in the Bay Area, I'd honk for you guys. :)

I'd honk twice.

I'm sorry to hear about whats going on up there. I hope that never happens with us (Kellie).

I'm a technician at Mountain View BMW. The reason for the strike is AUTO NATION is offering us a contract that is GARBAGE! They want to eliminate all sick days, reduce vacation days, some holidays and deduct pay. They want to make our shop flat rate which leaves an inexperienced technician (straight out of school) work on your vehicle in a short amount of time, without proper thoroughness, to make ends meat. Where as a union shop we get paid hourly and are able to fix our customer's vehicles with the proper attention that is required to be sure the job gets done correctly. We're on strike to keep what we have, we're not asking for more. We cant live with what AUTO NATION is trying to give us. We love our customers and apologize for the inconvenience. When you see us, honk for your sopport. If there is anything we can do for you, we still have the tools & technology to fix your vehicle. Thank you.

I'm a technician at Mountain View BMW. The reason for the strike is AUTO NATION is offering us a contract that is GARBAGE! They want to eliminate all sick days, reduce vacation days, some holidays and deduct pay. They want to make our shop flat rate which leaves an inexperienced technician (straight out of school) work on your vehicle in a short amount of time, without proper thoroughness, to make ends meat. Where as a union shop we get paid hourly and are able to fix our customer's vehicles with the proper attention that is required to be sure the job gets done correctly. We're on strike to keep what we have, we're not asking for more. We cant live with what AUTO NATION is trying to give us. We love our customers and apologize for the inconvenience. When you see us, honk for your sopport. If there is anything we can do for you, we still have the tools & technology to fix your vehicle. Thank you.




Well its good to here from someone about this situation. I hope you get your fair compensation and this whole situation can get resolved in a timely manner!

Get Back To Work Your Lazy Bastard!!!!!!

I'm a technician at Mountain View BMW. The reason for the strike is AUTO NATION is offering us a contract that is GARBAGE! They want to eliminate all sick days, reduce vacation days, some holidays and deduct pay. They want to make our shop flat rate which leaves an inexperienced technician (straight out of school) work on your vehicle in a short amount of time, without proper thoroughness, to make ends meat. Where as a union shop we get paid hourly and are able to fix our customer's vehicles with the proper attention that is required to be sure the job gets done correctly. We're on strike to keep what we have, we're not asking for more. We cant live with what AUTO NATION is trying to give us. We love our customers and apologize for the inconvenience. When you see us, honk for your sopport. If there is anything we can do for you, we still have the tools & technology to fix your vehicle. Thank you.


If you don't like working for them, simply quit. It's a free country -- nobody is forcing you to work there.

If you don't like working for them, simply quit. It's a free country -- nobody is forcing you to work there.

With all due respect, I highly recommend you learn about unions and how they work. Sure, they could all quit, but why take the easy way out?

http://money.howstuffworks.com/labor-union.htm

For the record, I spoke with a friend of mine who still works at the AutoNation dealership that I used to work for. She said that they're offering incentives for techs to go up to Mountain View and work in their dealership temporarily.

ill honk now!

look for a e36 black debadged, loud exhaust, tints, slammed and a kid =)

Their offer is to: Drop pay 3-4 Dollars an Hour,eliminate sick leave,drop 6-paid holidays,raise medical costs substantially, use only their health plan, eliminate Dental and Vision,open Saturdays-and to go to strictly flat-rate with no garantee.

Talk about a lowball offer.

Good luck.

It's true, both stores are on strike. The contract was up midnight Saturday, Autonation has NOT been bargaining in good faith. The last "meeting" had our 2-reps waiting for 1-1/2 hrs before anyone from Autonation's side offered anything different from it's last offer. One of the last things from Autonation was "I guess we'll be back in June sometime to continue our negotiations". We want to keep the same contract we had only adding timely cost of living adjustments. Their offer is to: Drop pay 3-4 Dollars an Hour,eliminate sick leave,drop 6-paid holidays,raise medical costs substantially, use only their health plan, eliminate Dental and Vision,open Saturdays-and to go to strictly flat-rate with no garantee. Bmw is one of the most advanced cars out there. Along with the technology comes advanced diagnosis, and major software issues. They are not a KIA, or a Saturn. To repair these under a major time constraint only harms the quality of many repairs, and does not compensate the technician for his years of Factory Training,his 10's of thousands of dollars of his own tools, and the satisfaction of doing a quality repair. Someone had to stand up to Autonation!!!!!! HONK WHEN YOU DRIVE BY!!!

That proposal is ridiculous...I can't believe that. I was talking to someone I know who was employed by a dealer under Autonation and I hear nothing but bad things similar to this. Employees are leaving Autonation dealerships everywhere it seems...

If you don't like working for them, simply quit. It's a free country -- nobody is forcing you to work there.

I'm not comfortable with the idea of letting Autonation get away with proposals like that though...you would be outraged as well if your management came to you with that plan. But hey, this is kind of the epitome for most in Silicon Valley.

If someone was trying to take something from us, and your right it is a free country thats why where fighting to keep what we have. iIIf you don't like working for them, simply quit. It's a free country -- nobody is forcing you to work there.

It's true, both stores are on strike. The contract was up midnight Saturday, Autonation has NOT been bargaining in good faith. The last "meeting" had our 2-reps waiting for 1-1/2 hrs before anyone from Autonation's side offered anything different from it's last offer. One of the last things from Autonation was "I guess we'll be back in June sometime to continue our negotiations". We want to keep the same contract we had only adding timely cost of living adjustments. Their offer is to: Drop pay 3-4 Dollars an Hour,eliminate sick leave,drop 6-paid holidays,raise medical costs substantially, use only their health plan, eliminate Dental and Vision,open Saturdays-and to go to strictly flat-rate with no garantee. Bmw is one of the most advanced cars out there. Along with the technology comes advanced diagnosis, and major software issues. They are not a KIA, or a Saturn. To repair these under a major time constraint only harms the quality of many repairs, and does not compensate the technician for his years of Factory Training,his 10's of thousands of dollars of his own tools, and the satisfaction of doing a quality repair. Someone had to stand up to Autonation!!!!!! HONK WHEN YOU DRIVE BY!!!


I'm a technician at Mountain View BMW. The reason for the strike is AUTO NATION is offering us a contract that is GARBAGE! They want to eliminate all sick days, reduce vacation days, some holidays and deduct pay. They want to make our shop flat rate which leaves an inexperienced technician (straight out of school) work on your vehicle in a short amount of time, without proper thoroughness, to make ends meat. Where as a union shop we get paid hourly and are able to fix our customer's vehicles with the proper attention that is required to be sure the job gets done correctly. We're on strike to keep what we have, we're not asking for more. We cant live with what AUTO NATION is trying to give us. We love our customers and apologize for the inconvenience. When you see us, honk for your sopport. If there is anything we can do for you, we still have the tools & technology to fix your vehicle. Thank you.




what up guys. well as for the drop in pay and lost of vac. and sick leave. that sucks, but as a tech. FLATE RATE IT THE SHIT. you can make more money that way. I used to be a BMW tech and making 60-75 hours a week. now how does 120-150 plus hrs a pay check sound. what do you think. I still work on car and the least amount of hours i had on my pay check is 100 hrs because it is getting slow, and good thing i did not apply at Mt. Veiw store. I was told that Mt. Veiw BMW had opennings. well hope all is good with the mt. veiw store and the fremont. as a tech i hope things get better.


Shoots

i might be in the area tomorrow ill honk.

i honked yesterday, if your there tomorrow ill do it etc etc etc
but i have a bitch horn cuz euro lights/CAI = 1 horn because i really dont care that much lol

i had an appointment today at bmw of mountain view and it got cancelled ... a work stoppage started from the technicians is what i was told. Damn this is suuuuuuuper inconvenient. Ive delayed getting some maintenance done for months... now when i set an appointment it gets canned. LAME

BAAAD Car daddy. Now go make an appointment someplace else and get your car serviced before it breaks. :stickoutt

Good luck all of you dealing with the strike. I don't like it when union folks bitch about not getting extra benefits they didn't have before and strike, but when they already had certain perks and someone decides that they need to be taken away, there better be at LEAST a strike.

...hmmm...maybe get some teamsters in to break some kneecaps? :devillook

What dealership do you work for??what up guys. well as for the drop in pay and lost of vac. and sick leave. that sucks, but as a tech. FLATE RATE IT THE SHIT. you can make more money that way. I used to be a BMW tech and making 60-75 hours a week. now how does 120-150 plus hrs a pay check sound. what do you think. I still work on car and the least amount of hours i had on my pay check is 100 hrs because it is getting slow, and good thing i did not apply at Mt. Veiw store. I was told that Mt. Veiw BMW had opennings. well hope all is good with the mt. veiw store and the fremont. as a tech i hope things get better.


Shoots

Right on bro!!! Thanks for your support!! BAAAD Car daddy. Now go make an appointment someplace else and get your car serviced before it breaks.

Good luck all of you dealing with the strike. I don't like it when union folks bitch about not getting extra benefits they didn't have before and strike, but when they already had certain perks and someone decides that they need to be taken away, there better be at LEAST a strike.

...hmmm...maybe get some teamsters in to break some kneecaps?

This explains a lot I'll honk. For you guys! I need my clutch looked at I'll pay one of you more than bmw does ;)

what up guys. well as for the drop in pay and lost of vac. and sick leave. that sucks, but as a tech. FLATE RATE IT THE SHIT. you can make more money that way. I used to be a BMW tech and making 60-75 hours a week. now how does 120-150 plus hrs a pay check sound. what do you think. I still work on car and the least amount of hours i had on my pay check is 100 hrs because it is getting slow, and good thing i did not apply at Mt. Veiw store. I was told that Mt. Veiw BMW had opennings. well hope all is good with the mt. veiw store and the fremont. as a tech i hope things get better.


Shoots

I'll make sure not to go to any shops like that. I spend alot of time on my car and I hope that the technician that works on my car is very very thorough with it.

Wait in fact, thats why I never let anyone service my car except me and very few people that I trust.

subscribed for support.


Good luck techs!

Thanks everyone for the support. Its just sad what these big corporations do to their employees. We are not asking for more than what we have. Alot of people assume we are striking because we are greedy and want more. Thats not the case. We are just trying to keep what we have. Why would anyone accept a substantial pay cut, have all their sick days removed, be put on commision, have medical insurance(thats deducted from their check each month) increase by $400($1000 deductible just to see the Doctor!), completely remove all dental and vision coverage, and have 4 paid holidays removed. What has any of us done to deserve this. I guess the XX million made in profit every quarter is not enough for this fortune 500 giant.

i saw you guys out today, felt bad because it was mid 90's was about to buy you guys some water or something, but ill be by honking!

If you don't like working for them, simply quit. It's a free country -- nobody is forcing you to work there.

Why dont you think first before you open your mouth?


With all due respect, I highly recommend you learn about unions and how they work. Sure, they could all quit, but why take the easy way out?

http://money.howstuffworks.com/labor-union.htm

For the record, I spoke with a friend of mine who still works at the AutoNation dealership that I used to work for. She said that they're offering incentives for techs to go up to Mountain View and work in their dealership temporarily.

Good luck to all of you brothers and sisters I hope you get this resolved!

Why dont you think first before you open your mouth?

Obviously this guy doesn't have a career.

Obviously this guy doesn't have a career.

Yeah right I'm a retired union member!

Yeah right I'm a retired union member!

pretty sure lawlence was referring to our friend Asmod3us who seems to think the best course of action is to abandon a career choice at the first sign of trouble ;)

It is really quite sad that most dealerships are no longer family owned now...

I'd honk if I were in the area. Autonation blows.... big time.

eeesoftic@sbcglobal.com, we can work something outThis explains a lot I'll honk. For you guys! I need my clutch looked at I'll pay one of you more than bmw does

You guys rock!!pretty sure lawlence was referring to our friend Asmod3us who seems to think the best course of action is to abandon a career choice at the first sign of trouble

pretty sure lawlence was referring to our friend Asmod3us who seems to think the best course of action is to abandon a career choice at the first sign of trouble ;)

That I was :stickoutt

Thanks everyone for the support. Its just sad what these big corporations do to their employees. We are not asking for more than what we have. Alot of people assume we are striking because we are greedy and want more. Thats not the case. We are just trying to keep what we have. Why would anyone accept a substantial pay cut, have all their sick days removed, be put on commision, have medical insurance(thats deducted from their check each month) increase by $400($1000 deductible just to see the Doctor!), completely remove all dental and vision coverage, and have 4 paid holidays removed. What has any of us done to deserve this. I guess the XX million made in profit every quarter is not enough for this fortune 500 giant.

That's terrible! I'd totally honk, if I was close by. As the dollar gets sucking ppl even the giants feel it I guess, but that's no reason to do that to you guys. Just charge the customer (lol), I mean it's a BMW. No short cuts!

Oh yeah, Aren't many under contract & wouldn't quiting result in a fine? Just wondering after that comment on a free country and so on..

hey i emailed you put no response on the clutch examination.. please email me jgwalmsley@gmail.com

THANKS SOO MUCH I WILL HONK TOMORROW AS I PASS!!!!!!!

whats the latest? I drive by twice daily and it seems the crowd keeps dwindling

i have a question, someone said that Autonation was asking for some of their other auto mechanics at other dealerships to come and replace you guys. With word that when a new contract comes up they will be taken advantage of, why are any of them helping?

i have a question, someone said that Autonation was asking for some of their other auto mechanics at other dealerships to come and replace you guys. With word that when a new contract comes up they will be taken advantage of, why are any of them helping?

BMW of Mountain View is the only AutoNation owned BMW dealership that I know of that's a union shop, so there are no contracts at the other dealerships. If they were union shops, I highly doubt people would be helping.

hey i went by today and talked to you i have the 2001 330ci. im stilling having issues with my abs and dsc if anyone could look at it this week that would be great. ill supplie food of your choice and beer for whoever can i help. i live in palo alto. again thanks for the imput when i was there.

the security guards got mad at me cause i parked legal but to them it was illegaly and made me move my car, and seemed to get mad at me because i talked to you guys instead of going in the stealership. :P thats for the dealership

great talking to you guys today, im joel. give me a call about scanning!!! thanks 650-208-8222

BMW of mountain view you NEED THESE GUYS BACK PAY THEM WHAT THEY DESERVE DONT BE CHEAP WE ALL KNOW YOU HAVE THE MONEY AND TELL YOUR SECURITY GUARDS NOT TO BE F***ing A** H***** to customers because i will make sure not to send another person to you and send them to other dealers!!!!!!

regardless of who i am with or what car i am in, i honk my friends/parents horns for u guys

i honked today!!! also

Sucks that you're still fighting this, don't give up. Knowing AutoNation, it won't be easy, but they can't run a shop without you, so it'll all work out in the end.

Sucks that you're still fighting this, don't give up. Knowing AutoNation, it won't be easy, but they can't run a shop without you, so it'll all work out in the end.

AGREED dont give up you guys already came this far.

OKAY so if there was one good out come of you guys going on strike it was talking to you guys instead of going into the dealership. I talked to Joey and he hooked me up if you guys need any help with your car eaither let me know or let joey know if you know him other wise ill send him your way. You dont have to pay ridicules price just to have your car diagnose. So i was having a problem with my dsc and i found out that i also need a new cam sensor, which helped out a lot. now im justing waiting on pricing for the parts and i cant wait to get this problem fixed for a fraction of the price of what BMW would charge me.

dont go to mountain view BMW or any other shop owned by autonation until the strike is over!!!!!

THANKS SOO MUCH JOEY FOR ALL YOUR HELP!!!

YOU GUYS ROCK GOOD LUCK

Wow! If I were the union, I would fight for health and dental no matter what. Those two things are so expensive out of pocket. It is cheaper to give up the living wage increase and keep those two. Working Sat is not bad. They can only work you 40 hrs per week and then it is OT. They still get the same numbers of days off.

I worked for AutoNation and they are criminal. They treat all their employees like an expendable commodity. I honk every time I drive by. Don’t go to BMW of Fremont either because they are also owned by AutoNation.

yeah thats true fremont too dont go there
BUT
goto PETER PAN BMW STEVENS CREEK BMW

whats the latest? I drive by twice daily and it seems the crowd keeps dwindling
Where in shifts to keep it consistant. We all cant be there everday so were in two different shifts At different time of the week.

I drink corona you can bring it anytime. Its me the guy who scanned your car for Free.hey i went by today and talked to you i have the 2001 330ci. im stilling having issues with my abs and dsc if anyone could look at it this week that would be great. ill supplie food of your choice and beer for whoever can i help. i live in palo alto. again thanks for the imput when i was there.

the security guards got mad at me cause i parked legal but to them it was illegaly and made me move my car, and seemed to get mad at me because i talked to you guys instead of going in the stealership. :P thats for the dealership

Saturdays not to bad, Yea bro sticking us with the health care bill when we as techs are exposed to cancer causing chemicals. The least they can do is act like they want to take car of there employee.

I drink corona you can bring it anytime. Its me the guy who scanned your car for Free.
Its all good I dont drink just keep your horn honking when you pass by or just come by to say what up!

ive noticed alot of autonation contract mechanics renting cars at my place.

any updates? i dont see anyone outside anymore