Re: American Auto Industry

Posted by PackardV12fan On 2008/10/12 12:59:10

for V-8

Yes, I have to agree with you - abusive labor practices of SOME unions most certainly were and remain a factor in SOME situations involving production costs.

But let's be fair, and remember the old slogan "for every reaction, there is an equal and opposite REaction". (oh oh...brought up those damn laws of physics again - next I will be accused of relying on those bunch of lies found in the ASTM and SAE "standards".....)

The abusive policies towards workers caused labor to push back hard. My dad's favorite story about abuse was the attitude towards him and his brothers when they asked for a full 20 mins to eat their lunch and warm up (from the 10 mins they were allowed)...all they wanted was 20 mins. WITHOUT PAY, and of course they were turned down. That is ONE of the reasons that caused the growth of the IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers).

There is plenty of blame to go around for the fact that virtually all of the famous AMERICAN brands we used to rely on for quality goods that helped build our middle class, have "sold out", licensed their names to Chinese mfgs., and effectively de-capitalized the United States.

My suggestion is that we adopt the principle of "wishing DOES make it so", and stop critisizing how Packard pioneered failure. Who wants to hear a "broken record". I mean...someone might start LISTENING.