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Its way more complicated than more money these days. I believe it is over benefits more than anything. In the hey day when the Big 3 were making billions and the workers were being beat up a little is when all this happened. It was very important to establish a wage and a collective bargaining agreement in those days no one had good health care and a pension plan. Remember if Detroit didn't have such things no one else around the country did either. They set the tone of the country. When the big 3 were busy the Unions demanded more and more and they got it. Starting in the 80's things got bad and slowly progressed down hill. Everybody had to do the tighten-up and I don't mean the dance.
I do believe that the 2 sides made great strides to improve their working agereements with each other. Quality has come a long way and so has attitudes. There will always be people sitting around, calling out sick and just loafing at their jobs. Man....just look at one of the Nations biggest employers the Federal Govt. wow and you talk about waste!!! About health care and foreign competition in this country? I think ALL new automotive manufactures that come into this country should put a percentage into the health care plan for any automotive worker working here. Look how much the older companies have to harness with old labor agreements and old employees on pension plans. Toyota, BMW, Honda etc. I believe does not have to guarantee their employees anything. Not fair in my eyes because Detroit had to guarantee for life things to their people. If you want to make billions in this country you have to pay also. I think our car manufacturers are making money they just have to pay too much out. No one can complain about the Unions making concessions and cutting back in the last 10 years. I think they have come a long way in that dept. If it was NOT for Unions our people would have nothing and the Corporations would have it all, with no say to the people. Just look at health care and 401K/pension plane since only about 14% of the work force in this country is Union anymore. Many can't afford good healthcare and saving for retirement. IMO this great country was the strongest from the 40's till the early 80's when the Unions were a big percentage of the work force. We lead the world in everything! Besides if we all worked for $5.00 an hour at our jobs today it still would not really compete with the foreign and commmunistic labor forces in other countries. So....its a happy balance in my opinion. The American worker still and always will need a voice.
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You are "Right".......but it has to be a "Balanced" Voice..........Now!!!.......Are you coming to Vettefest???
Ken