Obama seems to think that the strike is over wages and benefits - but it's not. Hillary avoids the factual missteps and claims that all would be better if the UAW and the automakers had met in the Oval Office - although that meeting couldn't have possibly settled the issue that the UAW went out on strike over. (But it's nice that she indicated that her Presidency would jump right in the middle of union-management contract negotiations.) Edwards just spewed union boilerplate, also neglecting to mention the primary strike reason. He's much better when his wife Elizabeth speaks for him.
It takes an Associated Press article from last night and a columnist from the Detroit News to tell us what this is all about, and why the strike is a dangerous idea for the union and an equally dangerous idea for the Democrat candidates to embrace. The union walked out on GM, a company that is now one fifth of its size in 1990, because GM wouldn't promise the current employees permanent job security. GM, for its part, is also worried about setting up a $55 billion trust fund to administer its retiree programs.The problem, as The Detroit News' Daniel Howes points out in his excellent column Tactics from 1970 don't fit '07 reality, is that the times have changed, and that both unions and management should be more concerned about making sure that companies like GM (and its pension fund) stay in business rather than seeking a job security promise that is unrealistic in today's world economy. From Howes' piece:
Just when it looked like Detroit's auto industry was poised for a breakthrough deal, the United Auto Workers strikes General Motors Corp. and we're back to 1970 all over again. But it's not 1970, except here in Michigan. GM doesn't dominate its home market; foreign-owned rivals do. The UAW doesn't represent the growing work forces at rivals operating down South -- and probably won't anytime soon should this walkout become a recruiting poster for anti-UAW forces from Alabama to Texas.With the Big Three of the Democrats frantically seeking union endorsements, it will be interesting to see how they embrace the strike if it continues beyond a few days. Having campaign photos of a candidate walking the line with UAW strikers might help with the union base in the Democratic Presidential primaries, but I'm not sure it would be a positive with the average voter on Election Day 2008.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 1)
1. It disturbed me to see the democrats kiss up to organized labor. What would they say if the Republicans did a forum in front of the oil industries?
Labor unions have worn out their purpose and are now a problem more than a solution. We have all heard the stories of unskilled labores tighting a bolt on Detroit assemply lines making $50 or more an hour. Is anyone surprised that many of those jobs are now outsourced to other countries. Labor unions priced themselves out of jobs. Now they seem to realize this and are demanding job secuirty or no end to the strike. Can they when they themselves are directly responsible for the need of companies to outsource? The labor unions priced themselves out of jobs and now they want job security. It's insane.
Clay at 4:21PM on Sep 25th 2007
2. Priced themselves out of a job? How can you work cheaper then communist slave labor (Chine)? That’s where many American jobs have gone, with the helping hand of the conservatives. Now, for the Auto Industry, most Automakers worldwide are unionized, for example Germany and Japan. But, those countries have national health care, and their auto manufactures don’t have to put that into their cost. As for the Japanese companies building in America, they have a much younger work force, and far fewer retirees. But, as time goes by, and if they stay, that will change. Now, how is that the unions fault?
davidgriffen at 1:28AM on Sep 26th 2007
3. I noticed that one of the comments referd to universal health care in other countrys,and we all know that Hillery in her Wisdom wants this for US workers. Well having grown up in the UK with free health care beleve me you dont want it. I still vividly remember going to the Dentist for fillings as a kid. NO NOVACANE used it might cost a few pennys, you just had to suffer the pain. WOW what a wonderfull system. OH if you get sick and are over 55 look out you are not considerd productive any more and may just have to Die while you wait on rationed medical care. is that what the Unions want
mike lyons at 6:40PM on Sep 25th 2007
4. If you grew up in the UK, Mike Lyons, then why can't you write in English? I accidentally typed "heath care" instead of "healthcare", but you, my God! Take an English writing course, and then write as if you really did grow with the English language.
davidgriffen at 1:53AM on Sep 29th 2007
5. I look at the auto industry and how it has declined in the last 40 years,and then i look at the union leadership who has given democrats millions of workers dues and they forget who signed NAFTA to start exporting american jobs it was President Clinton.People have turn to buying imports because they were a better product at a lower cost.
robert kennedy at 6:01AM on Sep 26th 2007
6. Union workers in this country should be telling there union leaders that the money they give politicians would be better spent going into a rainy day fund to hepl there retirees afterall you don't see the politicians standing 8 hours or more doing your work for you.And then look at Nancy Pelosi who received millions of unions dollars and all her family interests like there plush hotel and vineyards are all non union and yet she benefits from union workers dues.
robert kennedy at 6:44AM on Sep 26th 2007