freespirit55's Blog

I think Chrysler pulled a pretty low trick to start layoffs and shutdowns immediately after new contracts were signed, however, I had predicted it.  I was just wrong on the timing; I thought they'd wait about a year or two.  It was predictable because of the Unions.  I know I'm going to catch flack on this one, but the unions have outlived their usefulness.  In the beginning, they were needed and did a good job of protecting and improving  workers rights, health, working conditions, wages, etc.  However, their greed then took over.  Union dues skyrocketed while workers got  less and less for their dollar.  The truth of the situation is this:  Unions have priced their members out of their jobs.  People want Chrysler products (as well as other makes), including trucks and SUV's, but  the cost of a new vehicle is so prohibitive, the average wage-earner can't comfortably afford it IF they can afford it at all.  The average consumer isn't put off so much by higher gas prices as they are the cost of the vehicles.  The cost of some vehicles are more than a house!  The average payment of a new vehicle is $450 to $600 per month.  Ridiculous!  If the price was reasonable, people would resume buying new trucks, cars, and, yes, SUV's.  I feel sorry for the affected workers, but they can look to their unions to share the blame equally with the company owners.  The automakers have to make cuts somewhere or they'll be completely out of business.   You can only drive prices so high before the product is out of reach of the majority and they quit buying new.