I've Got It! Let The Union Own The Company...

Something happened this week that was either just another step in the unionization / socialization of America or was the most brilliant thing that could have happened.

It was announced this week that when Chrysler emerges from Chapter 11, the UAW (United Auto Workers union) will own 55% of the company (Article).

Let me see if I understand this correctly. The UAW who refused to give any meaningful ground to save the company will now own a controlling stake in it? Hmm...

Well, the way I see it this will cause one of 2 things to happen. Either:

1. The UAW will be forced to change its ways before they force the company they will now own to go out of business.

Or

2. They'll force it off the cliff and have no one to blame but themselves. Though I'm sure that won't stop them from blaming everyone else they can find to point at.

I'm sure glad we sunk billions into Chrysler only to see it file for Chapter 11. My guess is that GM will be next - especially if the UAW stands to own that company as well (because they're sure not going to negotiate without getting a meaningful ownership stake).

A co-worker made a good point yesterday on this topic. At some point in the past the management of the automakers gave too much ground to the UAW and put the companies in a position that when they needed to cut back and change things they couldn't because the UAW had contracts that wouldn't allow the changes. So while the UAW is certainly to blame, it all started when management gave too much ground decades ago.