Home > Jay Bookman > Archives > 2008 > December > 13 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USWhen greed overcomes any sense of shame, Part MCMXVII….
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
… you get something like this:
There’s a delicious and telling morsel buried in the New York Times’ account of the settlement reached at Republic Windows and Doors in Chicago. That’s the place where workers occupied the shutdown plant until they were paid the severance and vacation pay to which they were legally entitled.
It is an act so brazen as to almost defy belief, and yet it epitomizes a mindset that has become all too familiar:
“At the last minute of negotiations, according to Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, Democrat of Illinois, who helped moderate talks to resolve the standoff, and union officials, Republic’s chief executive, Richard Gillman, demanded that any new bank loan to help the employees also cover the lease of several of his cars — a 2007 BMW 350xi and a 2002 Mercedes S500 are among those registered to company addresses — as well as eight weeks of his salary, at $225,000 a year.
The demand held up the settlement, which was reached only after Mr. Gillman agreed to back down. (Mr. Gillman said Friday that he had sought the money to offset a large bonus in 2007 that he had chosen not to accept.)
….Mr. Gillman’s demands, however, became a major sticking point. “I’m not going to describe to you the words that were used when those issues were brought up,” Mr. Gutierrez said.
Eventually, the parties agreed that the workers would be the only ones to benefit. They would be paid severance and for vacation, and receive two months’ health coverage. The company owners also agreed to come up with $114,000 to cover the payroll for their last week of work.”
.JPG)
-1.JPG)
Services »
Comments
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 11:58 AM | Link to this
Jay
How much does the owner of the AJC make and what does that person do for that income? Maybe that can be your next blog subject.
Now, I am not a rich man myself but I sense a little wealth envy here. How about all those sports figures who get millions for playing a game. How about those movie stars who get millions for drivel. Let’s not pick and choose like you normally do.
If it weren’t for weatlthy people there would be few jobs and everyone would be trying to live off their gardens or starve.
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
BTW foks
Very interesting Wall Street Journal article:
http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2008/12/10/blagojevichs-big-conference-call-and-valerie-jarretts-clean-break/
By getalife
December 13, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
The greedy me generation asks what’s in it for me.
Good thing we have nukes to deter being attacked while we are collapsing.
Back in the USSR, you don’t know how lucky you are boy, back in the USSR.
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
JAY
I don’t know if the AJC has had its annual Chirstmas Party yet (I’m sorry, I mean Holiday Party, oh I’m sorry again, I mean Cultural Expression Party) but if they haven’t and you decide to go you might want to stay on the other side of the room from your owner in case they read this blog.
You know, I have been to that home many times as part of my duties and guess what? They are RICH!
By sunshine and thunder
December 13, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
JAY
This is the kind of story that really turns you on, isn’t it?
Please don’t write about how well things are going in Iraq. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about how the unions and big government mandates destroyed the Big 3 automakers and are not the focus of the bailout. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about Obama’s tax plan and how it would destroy an already fragile economy. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about Bush’s tax cut and how it pulled us out of a recession after 9/11 and created 8 million new jobs over the next 6 years. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about the unfunded liablities such as Medicare/Medicaid, social security and almost every state and local pension plan in the country. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about how America’s corporate income tax rate is the second highest in the world and puts us at an economic disadvantage. There’s no wealth envy in that.
Please don’t write about how making high earners pay more in taxes is never going to put more money in the pockets of lower wage earners. There’s no wealth envy in that.
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this
P.S.
and because they are RICH, you (and even the midnight guy who takes out the trash) have a job.
What a great country.
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
To Sunshine & Thunder
Excellent points! You took the high road. I just couldn’t help it this morning.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 13, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
Um, a 1.5 million dollar loan with 200 or so employees getting 7 grand apiece, which adds up to roughly 1.5 million dollars.
Your boy ain’t getting very much.
Now if you want to talk about real greed, how about a cool million for a empty Senate seat?
That’s what I’m talking about.
By It's Just Business
December 13, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
Is that the real “The Corporal” or is it a degraded memorex version of “Thje Corporal.” Only his hairdresser knows for sure.
By Thje Corporal
December 13, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
To It’s Just Business
Name calling/personal attack or debate. Your choice.
One is easy …. the other a little harder.
By It's Just Business
December 13, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
Let’s debate, are you “The Corporal” or “Thje Corporal”. I have no problem calling you either name or both if the shoe fits. So, does it?
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
One and the same. Just a typo.
By It's Just Business
December 13, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
I personally have no problem with people in sports making whatever or people in entertainment or the CEOs of private companies, etc. This particular case that Jay has highlighted is one of many that I would have a problem with. From what I’ve read, those people were not demanding anything more than what they were truly owed and the owner and/or management were denying them what they were owed. I don’t even think that the CEO’s salary was excessive. However, his refusal to give the employees their pay and benefits unless he got some stupid car payments, etc., is utterly absurd. He’s an absolute jerk if he was holding out for anything other than what his contract calls for and especially if he was holding the other employees and their compensation “hostage” in the negotiations. This has nothing to do with rich or poor and I would certainly not be envious of such an a$$. Finally, I don’t believe Jay was either based on what I’ve read. So, is there more to this story than I’m seeing here.
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this
CORPORAL @ 9:42AM -
This is off the present topic and referring to previous thread. Thanks for the Sunday School lesson; perhaps some didn’t know the FACTS, but I too have been in Sunday school since birth.
The information you provided is correct; however, my POINT was that the Bible doesn’t specifically state THREE (3) Wise Men, and yes, they did arrive ‘probably’ about 2 years later than the birth. My POINT was that the entire blog was in poor taste.
Go study your Sunday school lesson for tomorrow now ya hear; many of us are doing likewise.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
To Morningstar
1) I hear you. You are correct.
2) Just between us …. do some deep, deep digging …. and you will find out the star that led the Wise Men to Jerusalem (and that reappeared) and led them on to Bethlehem was most likely an angel shinning from afar sent to direct them ………
To all
Now, while we are still on the subject of wealth envy, I really don’t see where all of this comes from.
I have everything I could possibly need vs. want but growing up it wasn’t so. However, I never remember being unhappy.
I have been to numerous king’s palaces and millionaire/billionaire homes all over the world. And you know …. most of them didn’t look all that happy.
My paternal grandmother raised 8 kids (two more died in infancy) alone during the depression and when I was old enough to appreciate her I don’t think I ever knew a happier person.
Have you ever watched what happens to most of those folks who win the big lottery? Truly sad.
Bottom line, unless you are starving, (and there is really no need for that in this country with all of the charitable groups, agencies, churches, etc.), money does not buy happiness.
Family and faith work much better.
“The love of money is the root of all evil.”
By joey
December 13, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
The Owners of the company I work for are drawing 50% of their 2007 pay. The staff was reduced by 40% in two layoff in 2007 and early 2008. The employees that remain are making 80% of their 2007 pay. No bonuses for anyone. We have been on the reduced pay for 8 months. But we have jobs.
So what is the AJC ownership and management doing? Dismissing significant portions of the staff? While keeping middle and upper management at full pay?
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
Too bad employers have to be forced to do the RIGHT thing where their employees are concerned. We all agree, I’m sure, that labor unions are out of line with many unreasonable requests. Just totally obliterate them, and you’ll be taking little Johnny or Susie Q to work with you. Let’s see, you’ll earn minimum wage and little Johnny will earn what???
Those not a part of the working poor will probably be blogging at their computer, earning their retirement check, disability check, or just enjoying the trust fund, AND criticizing those worthless dweebs who coulda, shoulda done better if only they hadn’t made stupid decisions such as lose a job they’ve had for 25 years, have a child who has major health issues, become ill themselves and lose everything they have earned. The possibilities are endless.
We must always remember: Employees didn’t create labor unions, employers created labor unions by treating workers like yesterday’s garbage.
Without rules, regulations and accountability, any entity will fail.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this
To Morningstar
Good post but consider this:
Labor Unions at one time were a necessary evil. I used to be a member of the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen and I could tell you stories all day of how they messed with management, tried to make cheap (or free) overtime, came to work drunk, ran the engine while they tossed their empty beer cans out the window, etc., etc.
Unions were needed before EEO, OSHA, and all the other hundreds of Alphabet agencies and regulations.
Now they are a serious impediment and worst of all they want the non-secret ballot vote so they can rule by intimidation.
And this would be funny if it weren’t so true ………..
Let’s all sing together now ……
Everyone stand up and holler for the Union
Let’s give the brotherhood a cheer,
Everyone stand up and holler for the Union
We ain’t hit a lick all year !!
By AJC/DNC Management
December 13, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
There is no inference that Mr. Obama knew about or encouraged any of this alleged scheming, and he has explicitly denied it. But the big question today is this: Were any members of his transition team among the “Washington advisers” on the line during this marathon conference call, or did one of the participants fill them in about these wild ideas?-WSJ
No, I’m sure that Blago was bargaining with some transition team janitor.
They got Rhaman’s as-s, you can bet on that.
By GodHatesTrash
December 13, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
Xians sharing their Xmas superstitions and fables reminds of little kids talking about Santa Claus, except, of course, the kids are often cute, and usually smarter.
What’s the fat man bringing you, boys and girls?
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
CORPORAL @ 1:46 PM. Good point about the angel, and yes, I will do some digging and exchanging of ideas etc. We never know it all, and I don’t think it was intended that we understand everything. No on this earth anyhoo.
I’ll be the first to admit the labor unions are totally out of line, and as my grandmother would have said, they “Need a knot jerked in their behinds.” I know we have all those zillions of other agencies, but I still question what would happen without them. Would an employer would pay a decent, living wage, for example. The Wage and Hour Division only forces/requires an employer pay minimum wage. W & H has nothing to do with what an employer pays their workers.
If someone files a complaint with W & H because they have not been paid, W & H enforces only the mimimum wage bit. Hummmm, it gets curiouser and curiouser.
Another factor is that due to lack of funding, will all these zillions of other agencies created to protect mankind, have enough staff etc. to enforce the laws already on the books. So many are not being adequately enforced, or at least that’s what they are telling us.
I seem to remember a few years ago a company in one of the Carolinas (I think that was where it was), had locked the back door and there was a fire….tragedy occurred. I believe this was a meat packing plant.
I wish I could believe we have evolved into a more civilized people, but I don’t believe people are any different than the day Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit. As Alice said, it’s still “curiouser and curiouser.”
By Hillbilly Deluxe
December 13, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
I think some would have us go back to the days of the mills. Paid in company script (instead of money) that could only be spent at the company store. True you had a job but could you ever be free?
By Tom
December 13, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
There were and are some folks with a great idea for a new product, and the originators deserve what ever they get out of their product. However, if they can’t find anyone to help them produce it, it remains an idea. Jobs produce income for each side of that wealth equation, but do the Ceo’s, who rarely add any new visions to their corporation’s futures, or even understand the daily activities in their own plants, deserve their pay, or their severance packages after they fail themselves, the corporation, and the emploees that gave them their job to begin with. Unions probably aren’t the answer, like they used to be, but without the worker and the idea, wealth can be left to the Kings and Queens, and those of power with the largest armies.
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
By Hillbilly Deluxe December 13, 2008 2:50 PM think some would have us go back to the days of the mills. Paid in company script (instead of money)
Methinks you may be right. Try moving the family out of that elaborate housing (sarc), when you earn peanuts and ‘owe your soul to the country store.’
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
By Hillbilly Deluxe December 13, 2008 2:50 PM think some would have us go back to the days of the mills. Paid in company script (instead of money)
Methinks you may be right. Try moving the family out of that elaborate housing (sarc), when you earn peanuts and ‘owe your soul to the country store.’
By Morningstar
December 13, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
TYPO in 3:10PM —-I intended to state “COMPANY” store.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 13, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
The truth comes out-
If Sen. Corker’s plan had prevailed, with UAW support, many believe it would have had 90 votes in the Senate. GM could have gone forward with a clean-as-a-whistle balance sheet under a three-part restructuring plan that included a $60 billion bond-refinancing cram-down, a renegotiation of the $30 billion VEBA health-care trust, and a pay-restructuring plan that would put Detroit compensation levels in line with those of foreign transplants Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and BMW.-RealClear
But the UAW refused to make concessions. Instead, it insisted it would only renegotiate its current contract when it ends in 2011. That was the sticking point that killed the deal.
Greed, indeed.
By Bud Wiser
December 13, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
The union goons should have hired Jesse Jackson for a shakedown move. Jesse could have used the money, I guess, but more importantly to him he could have shown JJ Junior the proper way to do it, say, if he was interested in a Illinois senate seat, for instance.
By Mr. Snarky
December 13, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
Jay, Keep stickin’ it to the man! They hate it when you do that.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
To Morningstar and Hillbilly Deluxe
In the middle of nowhere West Virginia (1949-50) my Aunt worked as the check out clerk at the Coal Mining Company’s Company Store. My Dad worked in the mine and played first base on the Company Baseball Team. We all lived in Company Houses.
All I remember is being scared once by the coal train as it came up the holler.
To hear them talk of it now it was great times ….. a decent wage, plenty to eat, good friends, good family, great faith.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
To GodHatesTrash
He came for everyone but forces no one.
By AJC/DNC Management
December 13, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
The union’s counteroffer was that it would bring down labor costs in 2011, when its current contracts run out. Maybe we missed something, but we thought GM and Chrysler were facing bankruptcy now, not in three years. As Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on the Senate floor, that sounds like “taxpayer money today for reforms that may or may not come tomorrow.”-WSJ
Senate Republicans are the only sane voices left in America.
It’s a good thing the democrats are cowards as usual, or we would be subsidizing failure with every last penny we got.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
To Morningstar
Hints:
Job 38:7 …while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.
Revelation 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars …. is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches ….
Revelation 9:1 …. and I saw a star that had fallen from the sky to the earth. The star was given the key to the shaft of the Abyss.
By It's Just Business
December 13, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Mayan worker: Chief, Our calendar maker has been out sick ever since the strangers invaded our sacred land.
Mayan Chief: Many of our workers have come down with strange sicknesses. We will have to continue with just the basic necessities. Focus all workers on production of food and medicine.
Mayan Worker: What about completion of the calendar.
Mayan Chief: How far did the calendar maker get?
Mayan Worker: He only made it through the year 2012.
Mayan Chief: That’s far enough. Some idiotic leader will probably blow up the world before then anyway.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Just saw this:
Everytime Jay or one of your liberal friends/relatives espouse their viewpoint that the Republican Party should change so as to become powerful and in the majority again (you just know they are so concerned about our welfare and us doing that) give them this:
“…. it does not require a majority to prevail, but rather an irate, tireless minority keen to set brush fires in people’s minds.”
Samuel Adams (aka, Rush, Shawn, Neil, Michelle, Laura, Ann, et al)
By Hillbilly Deluxe
December 13, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
And where would the miners be without the efforts of the UMW, in spite of its faults?
By Bionic Blonde
December 13, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
We all know that “Right To Work” translates as “Right to Work for Lower Wages” We have a middle class (or at least we used to) because of the efforts of the unions who gave working people a chance to determine their own destinies. It’s like anything else that conservatives believe, that is, if it’s good for corporation or Wall Street, I’m sure those at the top will be kind and generous to the folks at the bottom—NOT—you betcha we know it ain’t so Joe.
It’s probably high time that we have some “class warfare” that benefits those not at the highest levels of earnings—because those folks have been waging war for a longtime already to make sure nothing ever trickles down.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Hillbilly Deluxe
Not at that mine.
By Hillbilly Deluxe
December 13, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Perhaps not but the union mines raised the wages of the non-union mines as well. They had to pay more because people had more leverage. Delta Airlines used to pay their employees the same as the union airlines to keep the union out. Of course that was before Leo Mullins and his golden parachute came along.
By sunshine and thunder
December 13, 2008 9:51 PM | Link to this
When I see the left nuts around here ranting about how Republicans only care about those at the top I see the effects of pure propaganda - in schools, in Hollywood and especially in the news media.
Even if it were true, how is it worse than the class warfare that tries to make people believe they aren’t successful BECAUSE of people who are successful?
The left has an interest in making folks believe their lot in life isn’t their doing. They want folks to believe that there is one pie of one size and anytime a piece is taken by a successful person the rest ot the pie becomes a little smaller for everyone else.
That pie is expandable friends. In fact, in a free economy with law abiding citizens it is infinitely expandable.
So when you talk about the “gap between the rich and the poor” you shouldn’t automatically assume that is a bad thing.
Before the freedoms initiated in the free world there was a gap between the rich and the poor that was permanent. When freedom arrived in the New World the gap began to widen as the rich got richer and the poor got richer as well. Not everyone got wealthy at the same rate and some class warfare politicians discovered they could make a lot of hay out of that gap.
But opportunity is there for everyone, not just a few silver spoon babies.
Nowadays everything is handed to our young people on a silver platter. Primary, secondary and advanced education; self esteem; designer clothes; food; warmth and a worry free lifestyle.
Then along comes a democrat politician who tells them that they are limited in what they can do because someone else is rich.
‘We should take money from those rich people and give it to those who aren’t as well off’ they’re told.
‘In fact, if you’ll vote for me I’ll do just that. I’ll give you jobs, food, shelter, health care. Those are your rights.’
Funny. We created the wealthiest country in the world and we don’t seem to understand how.
By The Corporal
December 13, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Hey, let’s all lighten up a bit
I saw an AJC vent today that is the best/funniest I have seen in a long time. I have been laughing all day.
Here it is ………..
I think those purity rings that teenage girls are wearing to help keep themselves pure are really neat. My wife is working on earning hers.
HA ! HA !
By Chad Harris
December 13, 2008 11:56 PM | Link to this
All you good ole boys getting orgasmic over the pending Blago indictment and as usual conflating
contact and consultation with a Senate appointment when there is a relatively rare vacancy in a state
and
violation of portions of 18USC
are wasting a lot of your time with a superficial look at the issues.
Why not tackle some real problems?
No one on Obama’s transition team did anything remotely illegal, unethical, or inappropriate as to Blago’s naming of a Senator whoever one now gets sworn in.
It is perfectly appropriate for anyone in the transition team, or anyone out of it who is in contention for the Senate seat to have contacts with Blago whether they call, email, meet, or use tin cans and string.
That’s exactly what happened, for example when Coverdell suffered his CVA in 2000 and Roy Barnes appointed the now deteriorating Zell Miller in 7/2000.
If in fact, Blago is convicted of the on point statutes for shopping the Senate seat and/or putting other public offices for sale (and yep still another reason and probably one of the few you have to get orgasmic) Tony Rezco is providing information (how helpful/credible remains to be seen) to Fitz’s team and the Fumbling Bureau of Investigation, but none of it is going to implicate Obama, the transition team, or bottom line any personality that any of us has even heard of until now.
And you can jump, holler, yippe kah yea and make noise, but when the smoke clears that will be the case.
I’d save time by saying simply “we hear Blago may be indicted and Fitz has about 15 days to get ‘er done goshdarnit” (or he’d make a fool of himself by going to a probable cause hearing in a federal case) and Fitzy ain’t about to do that.
Beyond that, if you’re salivating over Blago’s pending indictment, you’re wasting your time and life’s short.
You’d do better to worry about the insipid idea of one cent going to “bail out” any entity that is lined up for money that will never be seen again once it is infused into any of the investment banks or the auto companies, an area where I can be in rare agreement with Jim Wooten and the Republican Senate. For me that included Delta Air Lines as well.
By Eric1
December 14, 2008 7:14 AM | Link to this
You’re not a rich man in more ways than one, Corporalette. Who helps you get dressed in the morning? What a freaking moron!
By AJC/DNC Management
December 14, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Beyond that, if you’re salivating over Blago’s pending indictment, you’re wasting your time and life’s short.
Oh gosh, thanks for the advice, why, we’ll be sure to get right on it.
Only problem is-
Obama said Thursday he had never spoken to Blagojevich about the Senate vacancy and was “confident that no representatives” of his had engaged in any dealmaking over the seat with the governor or his team.
Turns out that was a lie.
By spankmonkey
December 14, 2008 8:05 AM | Link to this
Not a single one of Andy’s prognostications has come true yet, but he keeps trying… Must be the UAW’s fault…
As a matter of fact, they all trun out out opposite of what he prognosticates. Keep up the good work Andy!!!
By sunshine and thunder
December 14, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
CHAD HARRIS
You wrote:
none of it is going to implicate Obama, the transition team, or bottom line any personality that any of us has even heard of until now.
It’s amazing that we have such a prescient personality right here on little ol’ Jay’s blog. Imagine. We are in the presence of a man who magically knows that the entire transition team is as pure as the driven snow.
We are humble before you Mr. Carnack.
By formersds
December 14, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
I agree with Chad somewhat.
Obama will not be implicated in the scandal. Obama is just a puppet and some of the people behind him in the Chicago thug world of politics will take the fall. They can’t have their bought and paid for, do nothing, no experience, community agitator guy take the rap.
By Anonymous former salaried employee
December 14, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Mr. Gillman is a greedy man, and got what he deserved in Republic’s failure.
It is correct that Mr. Gillman’s salary was not at all unreasonable. However, as far as I know, the law provides for 60 days of notice and pay to UNION employees, not owners or managers. If Mr. Gillman was so concerned about his own pay, why was he not looking out for the other 60 or so salaried employees, and insisting they receive a cut of the funds?
Moreover, Mr. Gillman has been compensated FAR BEYOND his salary over the years. According to numerous sources, the business has funded an inordinate number of Mr. Gillman’s personal vacations, luxury automobiles, almost nightly fine dining, weekly manicures, and much more. While $225K is not bad money, it doesn’t take a CPA to figure out that his lifestyle (homes, autos, travel, clothing, etc.) far exceed the buying power of $225K in downtown Chicago.
There are many reasons to dislike our country’s major financial institutions, but Bank of America has been unfairly vilified in this saga, both by the union (because as well off as Mr. Gillman is, he certainly has less resources than B of A) and by the politicians (who have more leverage to blackmail a bank than an individual).
It is true that the economy is partly to blame for Republic’s failure. But if we are to assess blame, the truly guilty party is Mr. Gillman, whose mismanagement and greed gradually bled to death what was once a great company.
By rightbackatya
January 8, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
The last comments made are as sad as they are hilarious. How does the former salaried employee know the source of all of Mr. Gillman’s income? It appears that you must have made a detailed study of Mr. Gillman’s lifestyle. It sounds like pure jealousy to me. Perhaps you are also angry that Mr. Gillman has a full head of hair in his mid 50s? Many people of means have additional investments and/or family money. How long have you been you counting Mr. Gillman’s money? How much do you know about him? You sound like a stalker in need of something productive to occupy your time. Mr. Gillman put in $3 million of his own money to save Republic Windows from the brink of bankruptcy in 2005. You can make him the bad guy here, as it is most convenient, but why should only union employees be entitled to vacation and severance pay? As reported, many of Republic’s hourly office employees made less than the union workers and they got nothing. As for the cars, most likely Mr. Gillman signed leases on his automobiles under the Republic company name. He was probably asking for those leases to either be paid off or assumed by the bank, which was within his right to ask, as the contracts were signed while he was an officer of the company…though I am only guessing here. This was not a man making millions of dollars a year. This was just a guy who kept 300 families afloat for 3 more years as employees of Republic, when he bought the company. Greed is Madoff, who swindled and lied. I wonder what you think would have been a fiar salary for the president of a $50 million company? $100,000? What’s the number? I think you are nuts if you think his salary was high and that he was greedy. His comp seems more than fair.
By Anonymous former salaried employee
February 8, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
rightbackatya - It’s not worth my time to rebut all of your conjecture. Suffice to say that I know a fair amount, but have nothing to gain by going on the record. I never said Gillman was overpaid; to the contrary, I said his salary was “not at all unreasonable”. Anyway, Gillman got back far more than he put in, and don’t kid yourself thinking he invested $3M to save the jobs of 300 souls. It was to make it back with a return, and save his own ego.
P.S. I make a comfortable living, and have no hair issues, so if I’m jealous, it’s only that a man of below average competency as a manager was able to leverage nepotism so strongly.