If the UAW achieved all its demands from the auto industry …
the auto companies’ labor costs would rise to more than $150 an hour from about $65 now. Non-union workers at foreign manufacturers earn an average of $55 an hour including benefits, while those at Tesla make about $45.
The accumulated affects of pay, benefits and work rules became apparent and took its toll in 2008 – the fault of both the unions and management – too much of a good thing placing the industry in a non-competitive position.
The days of GM ruling the industry if not the US economy, are long gone.
There isn’t much in the American economy, if anything, that is not affected by other countries – agriculture, energy, technology, industry – and competition from lower wage workers around the world, not to mention politics.
Makes you wonder if those who call for make it in America, buy American are willing to also pay for the results.
There is no denying the US is an integral part of a global economy.
Beware any politician telling you otherwise.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
Amazing what government subsidies can prompt – first TESLA, …
See: https://realmoney.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/tesla-s-main-product-isn-t-cars-it-s-subsidies-14769263#
https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-list-government-subsidies-tesla-billions-spacex-solarcity-2021-12#as-of-2015-tesla-had-sold-517-million-in-environmental-credits-to-competitors-per-a-federal-mandate-tax-credits-for-consumers-also-helped-them-sell-more-cars-6
soon GM/Ford/Stellantis
See: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/biden-bill-includes-boost-for-union-made-electric-vehicles
https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2022/07/general-motors-reveals-it-received-38b-in-tax-credits-kept-secret-for-a-decade.html
Note that the UAW has withheld its endorsement of President Biden – so he can facilitate the “No Longer So Big Three” wage increases by funding them with tax preferences.
Don’t forget that the bailouts of GM and Stellantis in 2008 included a variety of tax gimmickry – such as allowing GM’s NewCo to discharge debts by leaving them in “old GM”, where the federal government funded retiree medical via a VEBA, coupled with allowing NewCo to keep tax credits normally only available to “old GM”.
Hey, I can be profitable too if taxpayers pick up my liabilities, and no one taxes my profits.
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The UAW wants 40 hours pay for a 32 hour work week. That’s a quick way for the auto companies to go out of business!
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Biden says the striking workers deserve the higher wages they demand because the auto manufacturers made record profits. Does that mean he would also agree that if the companies soon face record losses they should be able to cut those wages?
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Exactly. GM and the UAW got in trouble before by giving the shop away. Why is it so hard to understand that compensation (which compounds) and work practices must be sustainable under all conditions, not just when there are record profits? Of course, idiot politicians are just feeding the flames.
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That’s all politicians do is feed the flames. And there’s no way Biden would ever say to take a pay cut!
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