Went by MINI of Mountain View yesterday to look at the new Clubman (I'm not often in the area), and talked to one of the technicians that was picketing. He told me they've been on strike for two weeks and the negotiators aren't meeting with them until next Thrusday.

The BMW and MINI dealership are across the street from each other and many things are combined. The strike is on both. Currently they pay mechanics by the hour + health benefits. He said they are trying to change it to the standard piecework system and reduce their health benefits.

His argument for hourly is that with computerized systems, diagnosis is sometimes difficult and cannot be done quickly. Threads here on problems that have cropped up with the new R56's seem to confirm this. He claimed that a number of cases that other dealers couldn't or wouldn't fix have come to MINI of Mountain View because they can take the time to do it right. IIRC, he said they are paid $32.50/hr. A year ago, I was told that MINI of Mountain View would charge $150/hr. labor for installing options when I bought the MCS.

Edit: Oh yea, the Clubman. I like the extra interior space. I'm not fond of the rear doors. I like the hatch much better. Didn't drive it. Not many customers at MINI of Mountain View when I was there, but the only MA I saw was busy and I wanted to get home. Had a nice lunch at the Whole Enchilada in Moss Landing, on the way back.