Working Life

   The momentum to merge General Motors and Chrysler is being given a strong push by the government (oh, no, socialism…industrial policy). I’m not saying I think the merger is a great idea but since both companies are leaking billions of dollars and may run out of cash in a year or less, it is […]

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    I don’t know that one should trust The Wall Street Journal’s take on the vibe inside any union. I’m not familiar with the reporter who wrote today’s story describing stronger dissent inside the UAW to the negotiated deal with Chrysler, as well as a relatively strong minority "no" vote on the GM deal. But, […]

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  Last week, I took part in a discussion on CNBC about the agreement reached between the UAW and Chrysler. The show’s producers wanted to focus on the question of whether the deal showed that the UAW’s power is in decline. The truth is that the Chrysler deal, and the previous pact reached between the […]

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    Tense times in auto worker land. Something will happen in the coming weeks that will reshape the lives of autoworkers and the UAW. But, it’s the longer term future that is perilous.     Right now, the negotiations between the UAW and the auto companies are focused mainly on health care costs. As we’ve discussed […]

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Most of the MSM reporting on the opening yesterday of the negotiations between the UAW and General Motors and Ford was pretty standard fare. The New York Times article doesn’t reveal a lot but there are two things of note. First, from UAW prez Ron Gettelfinger:   Mr. Gettelfinger, too, sees the outcome of the […]

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I’ve written about this before but it bears repeating–particularly when The New York Times and the rest of the MSM continue to let ideology, not economic facts, dictate policy coverage. Today’s Times article on the challenges facing UAW retirees gives us another opportunity see how, despite large public sentiment in support of single-payer, the MSM […]

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At first glance, you might say “huh?” (and, maybe after you read this, you’ll say the same). The auto industry has been lobbying hard to scuttle higher fuel emission standards, claiming the industry just can’t afford the changes–and some Democrats seem to be biting. People are rightly upset at the Democrats but the critics have […]

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    I don’t see how the UAW can avoid a strike at Delphi, without agreeing to massive concessions. As reported today in the Wall Street Journal, the UAW is about to lay down a last offer: The United Auto Workers union is preparing a last-ditch, take-it-or-leave-it offer to Delphi Corp. and its private-equity partners, according […]

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