DK - I am watching a plant die. It is dying because the union still believes that the fight is with "the guys upstairs." "The guys upstairs (TGU)" told "the guys on the line (TGOTL)" that the plant was running at unsustainable costs, had to find a way to reduce costs to be profitable, the company could not afford to run unprofitably even for a short time, and would move production off-shore if a solution was not found. The union convinced the TGOTL that TGU were bluffing. The result of a one year strike was quite predictable. Had TGOTL joined TGU, there would have been a balance of profit supported capital investment and reduced labor cost (lower wages and more productive work practices) to make a competitive plant. TGOTL and TGU have to realize that they are competing with labor-management teams. As long as they remain divided, they will continue to lose.

American labor and unions are going to have to wake up and realize that competition with management over a share of profits presupposes that there are profits. Until there are profits, that is the wrong game. America will continue to hemorage jobs until it quits playing the wrong game. And, no, I don't advocate union/labor catitulation with a return to sweat shops. I advocate considered cooperation instead of constant confrontaion.