I have a friend who worked for a major auto manufacturer. He got laid off when a plant closed a few years ago and has been on full salary and not working since. The union arranged a deal that anyone who lost their job through no fault of their own would be guaranteed the same wage. There is no incentive to find another job and definitely not for a job that pays less.


>>>>Companies/corporations have always seeked the cheapest way to do business, and that will never change. But so far the American workers, for the most part, have been good about adjusting their skills to meet the job market. Those that can't adjust must find something else. Kinda like evolution... if you will. :)
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>>>I wasn't disputing that, but the (IMO, silly) notion that one's always 100% responsible for their own success or failure. When Ford or GMC decide to close production lines and fire tens of thousands of people - it's not the fault of the company, it's these people who get fired, each one of them, who are to blame. They must have pressured the company into making wrong decisions over the years.
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>>>This mantra that it's never the system that's at fault, it's always you... well, if I was building a system, I'd be glad if my users believed in it. But somehow I wouldn't think they'd buy it. But they did.
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>>Sure. Nothing is absolute in this world. Some may rightfully blame GMC, but I also think the workers and their union are making it more difficult for American car makers to compete.
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>Personally, I think it's Japan, China and a few others who are making it more difficult for American car makers to compete. Please don't get the idea that I am a union fan when I say this, but in truth, what the unions are doing when they ask for more money, is trying to get a little of the 'American dream' for their workers. When other countries cut the auto market off at the knees, I'm not sure how you can blame the unions, and believe me, I blame them for a lot of stuff.