Tough times in Detroit

I totally support the idea of organized labor. I think the problem in a lot of U.S. industries (e.g. autos, airlines), however, is that the benefits that labor won decades ago when times were flush are no longer a good fit for a more competitive environment and a faltering economy.

Agreeing to give anyone (including government employees) benefits for life (e.g. pensions, healthcare) is a risky undertaking.

Businesses need some flexibility to adapt to changing conditions. Workers deserve some reward for their work as well as confidence about their future. I don't have a good answer except that employers probably aren't the best folks to be paying for people's healthcare. But then that's a bad decision GM made a long time ago...

In any case, the UAW is making some concessions, and I think that's an unfortunate necessity.