I’m thinking the Unions killed off these car plants. It isn’t just the wages which are too high for the skill level required; it’s the pension and benefits. Yes; the Unions did renegotiate with GM for a lower wage rate and less benefits - probably less pension or a 401K option but it probably wasn’t enough to offset all the pension liability which may one day end up killing GM altogether. Maybe Ford and Dodge too unless a lower pay rate can be agreed on.
It was a ponzi scheme and I think we all know what happens to ponzi schemes when it’s time to pay the piper.
The government has been able to get away with not using Social Security funds paid in for what it was meant for because the gov can print more money but someday it too will have to pay the piper.
And yet Ford and Chrysler, with the same unions, aren't having this problem. Could it be that it isn't unions but is instead bad management decisions?
The workers don't decide what to buy. Management makes product decisions on what to make. Management designs the products. Management markets the products. These plants are closing because they are producing a product and the demand for it isn't there. Ford and Chrysler saw this coming and planned their lines accordingly.