[onewhippedpuppy]

Jeff, it's not only the UAW but the massive legacy costs associated with retirees. Full pension and health-care for retired workers is simply not sustainable in today's market. Not to mention the control that the UAW has over the workforce, and therefore over the company's manufacturing decision making. Unions had their place about 100 years ago. Today they only serve to stifle American business. Short term gain, long term loss, that's their MO.

My company had a strike over the summer, millions of revenue lost. The union ended up agreeing to a contract that was incrementally better than that initially offered. Last week we had layoffs, partially due to the cashflow lost due to the strike. Did the union really benefit it's members? Furthermore, I know the terms of our contract here, and there are MANY workers that simply are not earning their keep. Not to mention their benefits, that are superior to that of the salary employees.