While I'm sure there are still workers who try to do an honest job, the union "can't touch me" mentality has invaded the workplace, and the guys who sweep the floor make nearly as much as the engineers. There is no fear of reprisal for a poor job. He feels the unions brought this on themselves.
But it is as broad a brush stroke as saying all "Conservatives are Republicans." There are MANY hard workers who put up with the nonsense...it is BOTH the union's & GM's fault for not leaving an opening for the disciplining of slackers.
Now they're realizing they shouldn't have. But it's too late.
My comment was from my father's point of view - I have no idea what went on in the plant(but he did NOT work for GM - it was another American auto company - AMC). In all the years he worked at the factory, I don't remember many complaints regarding management. Thinking back, these are the things that I remember him complaining of most: the taxes he had to pay on all the overtime he worked, of certain "slacking" co-workers who were "protected", and the union dues he had to pay, in order to protect those who slacked. They slept while my Dad worked - and he was 30+ years older than they.
Again, regarding the broad brush - the vanatage point of this particular picture is from my father's eye - a union worker. I'm sure their are other viewpoints - I'm simply relating my father's experience and opinion.