Uh, not to draw straws, but the GM management AGREED to every damned one of these payouts and arrangements that he claims is killing GM.... While I am no fan of Unions, piss poor management let the unions run roughshod over the company.
Unions are part of the world, but not every company that has had to deal with Unions finds itself in the boat the Airlines and Auto and Steel manufacturers are... Weyerhauser has had to deal with Unions, but instead of just capitulating to them during negotiations held the line, and DEMANDED something from the Union in exchange for better pay or benefits...and never agreed to pay or benefits beyond reasonably sound financial sense.
Weyerhauser of course is not alone in this... GM and the rest of em, just made expedited decisions as management and refused to do what was right, but not easy, when it needed to be done... now it all comes home to roost.
There's enough blame to go around - but now that it's clear to *everyone* that GM's seriously screwed and concessions need to be made, there's the UAW demanding MORE money/benefits/whatever from GM while providing NOTHING in return but more beer cans welded into body panels, more trash thrown inside seats, and more sloppy workmanship from people who can't be fired.
Management still has much to answer for, but right now, the UAW is the biggest problem by a large margin.
Following World War II all of Europe and Asia was in ruins. For several decades GM (Ford,etc.) and the hourly royalty of the UAW offered our parents increasingly inferior products at increasingly higher prices. One can't feel too sorry for any of them as they had a gig most Americans could only dream of. The American demand for automobiles will not fade as this crowd collects its just reward. Toyota, Honda and others are building great cars here using American labor. Wouldn't recommend legacy labor or management dwelling upon their prior experience as they pursue the new opportunities in the car business.
Your post is to the actual cause and demise of a one time great company.
In reading your post it somehow lead me to comparing the GOP
to General Motors Management.
The GOP has been at the controls for five years, and as a majority they vote like a minority. I have never seen such a group of spineless cowards allowing Harry Reid to hold them hostage is just unbelievable.
Some-one made a post this week on FR. that the Republican Party works best when they are in the minority, I am beginning to see their point, some dogs just have a better fight when their down. If there isn't a drastic change in the next year and a half, some of these GOPER"S are going to know this feeling very well.