I was deeply involved in computer integrated manufacturing throughout the 80′s and remember numerous instances where very ridiculous compromises had to be made to the UAW – always it seemed, so that nothing would threaten existing jobs or require any increases in productivity from workers. However, I also felt at the time that a lot of blame – for poor design and manufacturing – should be placed on Engineering and Management. But now I see more clearly that dominance of the unions and the strong union-supporting political climate made the US auto companies no place that would attract any real craftsmen or businessmen. Rather it attracted a government-like bureaucratic management that just kept kicking the can down the road. There really was no way to compete with non-union car companies and no incentive to try – the unions would always be there to collect a lion’s share of any improvements or successes. In a way this perfectly mirrors what will happen with the broader economy as a result of higher taxes, government sponsored unionization and hundreds of new governemnt regulations and interventions. Executives and Management positions will be filled by those skilled at playing along with politicians – not by those who know the technology and the markets of their respective businesses. I fear for where this takes us in terms of global competitiveness.
