I found this article interesting. (URL: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-06-22/hyundai-teaches-uaw-best-factory-job-doesn-t-need-a-union-cars.html)
It seems that the UAW is trying drive business out of the US, to include threats of having $60 million to support a strike at a foreign automaker plant in the US.
I especially like their attempts to “educate” the workers at various plants concerning the UAW’s importance and relevance.
Another interesting union-related article. (URL: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304070104576399822234404508.html?KEYWORDS=union)
Honda factories in the US have always been UAW-free. And, just like at the Hyundai factory, workers appear to be quite happy with the way they are treated. I have not read articles about Honda workers being shackled to their positions or forced to work in a dangerous environment. In fact Honda has always led the way in providing the safest and most comfortable (as far as chain assembly can be) working conditions. A happy, not complaining worker is a productive worker. But this doesn’t seem to be enough for UAW officials. How dare these foreigners come here and provide a better product at a lower price, all the while giving decent jobs to thousands in otherwise economically depressed areas without giving us a cut? Haven’t UAW officials stopped for a minute and thought why American cars are considered the laughing stock of the motoring world? Haven’t they considered that perhaps, just perhaps, the reason GM and Chrysler are technically bankrupt and de facto nationalized is in part their fault? Of course they haven’t. They are the union, and the union is always right. Just ask Jimmy Hoffa.
Kakugo,
Exactly; and I totally agree with you. I find it interesting that the union is so desparate to gain members that they are actually going door-to-door on a campaign of “education”. And just in case that doesn’t work, they are lobbying for government involvement to force unionization the the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and lobbying/threatening politicians at various levels of government.