In case you missed it, the UAW started their strike against all three U.S. automakers on Thursday. Their demands are substantial. In case you aren’t aware, the average hourly pay for a UAW member is about $28, and they have excellent benefits.
Striking UAW auto workers are demanding a four-day, 32-hour workweek (but paid the same as for 40 hours), a bigger share of profits, restoration of defined benefit pensions, and stronger job security as automakers shift to electric vehicles.
Only time will tell, but it will be interesting to see what the final deal will be. The current UAW President is a real showman, throwing offers so far in a trash can, on camera.
Stella's Place 
Back in the day, our little town had a thriving lumber mill that provided lots of steady work. The owners even built houses and extended credit so the workers’ families had comfortable living.
Then the union came; divided the town and split families. They won, and eventually the mill closed under the weight of the uncompromising union and an economic downturn.
The town is now a sad shell of it’s former days, with old homes mostly in disrepair and supporting two Dollar Stores for about 4500 people (and shrinking).
Unions are unnecessary grifter operations and should be outlawed.
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I’m not opposed to private sector unions IF there is a right to work without joining the union. We had that law in Michigan for a few years until the Dems got back in control of the legislature, and they repealed it.
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This may well be the end of the auto industry in the US as we have known it. I hope that’s not the case, but I’ve seen a couple articles that lay out a scenario where that could be the reality. Don’t think for a minute that the D’s really care all that much, whether they stay or go. If China is the fallback, they are pretty comfortable with that scenario. If the industry survives, the D’s know that they will continue to get campaign money no matter what from the unions. They’re more concerned about the money than the votes. The D’s can manufacture all of those they need, if they get the contributions.
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