are US automakers still crippled by unions?

[EightySix Four]

Originally posted by: marincounty
Last time I checked, the company signed the union contracts. If they thought they couldn't afford the wages and benefits maybe they shouldn't have signed.

And all of these costs were known, they have lots of accountants that can do the math.
When they were making 10k on an SUV they didn't care how much the union guys made.
They had a captive market of buy American types that would buy anything they put out.

Now the market has suddenly changed and they are left with their pants down.

How is a Union contract not blackmail? You sign here that you'll pay us more, or we'll all quit and leave you with NO labor at all!