- This topic has 3 voices and 5 replies.
-
Posts
-
Well, it came to an end. Personally, I'm surprised GM has lasted this long. Will the auto maker survive much longer?
Automakers in the U.S. are on a steady decline and will continue to decline, partly because of union bloat within these companies. They will continue to be artificially propped up by the U.S. government, until they become lifeless shells. Automakers need to heed to the laws of supply and demand just like everyone else. If that means that they go out of business, then so be it. It may hurt employees in the short term, but it will help far more people in the long run.
Automakers in the U.S. are on a steady decline and will continue to decline, partly because of union bloat within these companies. They will continue to be artificially propped up by the U.S. government, until they become lifeless shells. Automakers need to heed to the laws of supply and demand just like everyone else. If that means that they go out of business, then so be it. It may hurt employees in the short term, but it will help far more people in the long run.
Except for Ford, which is doing quite well without Federal money. I knew I liked F-150s for a reason ;D
Mind you, when the automakers are gone, the unions are still going to be there. What will they do to the other industries like shipping yards, construction and public transport where they have deep roots?
I'm not familiar with the size of the unions in those industries, but I believe government subsidies help public transportation quite a bit, so unions may be more entrenched there. Historically, I think that unions had much better reasons for existing when working conditions were grossly inadequate, when the legal system did not protect workers, or when a lack of competition prevented workers from switching jobs in search of better pay. Now, I don't see many compelling reasons for unions.
The auto sector is about the only large-scale manufacturing sector left in the US anymore. What few shipyards exist do so only because of government contracts for warships. Likewise, if I remember right most locomotives in the US are assembled here from foriegn manufactured parts. Manufacturing is almost dead in the US because of the profit destroying wages demanded by American workers. Mind you, I dont think workers whoudl demand less, I think that everybodys standard of living should come up but it is kind of stupid to complain about foriegners taking american jobs when those foriegners will the same quality of work for 1/2 or even less money than an american worker will.
