You’re dreaming. This strike is all about getting us (the US taxpayer) to bail out the UAW retiree plan. The problem is GM can’t afford to keep paying those benefits. They want the government to bail them out. This strike will last long enough for the hard luck stories to start showing up on the evening news, so when the media begins crying for the government to expand into the private retirement care business, there’ll be hardly a peep from the general public.
I agree that both the company and union want a taxpayer bailout. I do not see a strike as achieving a bailout. I do not see any possibility of a bailout with Bush as president. However, if the dims control the federal government, a bailout will be made regardless of a strike.
A strike may be an effort by the union leaders not to appear weak. I do not think that GM will add much to the health care fund even after a bitter strike. Union leaders may be more concerned about their jobs and standing among union members than achieving anything at the bargaining table.