[jgervin]

Cost is the main driver here. I am lefty, but I agree the unions are a little out of control. I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building cars should not be making $125k per year (source was a series on TV, think 60 minutes where they talked to some of those workers).

I am glad unions are there to help make sure people are not overworked and have benefits, but come on guys. You shot yourself in the foot there.

[smacktoward]

> I am sorry, but a guy who stands in a production line building cars should not be making $125k per year

You should be pleased to learn then that they don't:

* http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/10/business/economy/10leonhar...

* http://www.factcheck.org/2008/12/auto-worker-salaries/

[webXL]

Fact-checking FactCheck.org:

Let's assume that a union worker won't get an extra $15 per hour worked that current retirees are receiving. So take $15 off of their labor costs of $70 per hour (complexity through obfuscation). So that's

  $55 = VALUE of actual wages and benefits EARNED by WORKING 1 hour
  hours_worked_per_year = 52*40 = 2080
  earnings_per_year = hours_worked_per_year * $55 = $114,400

So you're correct, according to FactCheck.org, it's not $125k per year. But the point is still valid when you account for benefits. If my employer gives me a new Ferrari each year as a benefit, no one would consider me underpaid if I made $10/hour doing secretarial work.

[Caballera]

Not only salaries, but also benefits. I think Health Care Insurance (that the company provides)is often overlooked. American Health Care cost for businesses has increased a ton over the last few decades.

[functionoid]

This comment got down voted, it is not mine but it is legitimate point in the discussion. Looks like there are leftist out there doing this?

[richieb]

Why not? That kind of job is boring and repetitive. You would not do it, would you?