I'm not trying to choose sides here, and in the interest of full disclosure, I am a dues paying member and official in a Union, but it sounds to me like the ship was already sunk, management came out with a last ditch effort to keep things rolling. The concessions they asked for were unacceptable, so the company folded. Now it looks like the union was to blame because they were the last ones to say "No." I'm not saying they were right or wrong, but to say it was the union's fault when the company was already doomed seems a bit near sighted. If my work was to tell me my insurance was going up dramatically coupled with a cut in hours and a decrease in pay, I'd be looking for a new job. I honestly don't think there are many rank and file Americans that can afford this type of cut - most of us are more or less living paycheck to paycheck, stashing a little when times are good and having to dip in when times are bad. Union or not. And not to get all "union" on you, but for those of you that are pissing and moaning about unions, keep in mind that overtime and the forty hour work week, most benefits you may enjoy, most work-place safety programs and most company ethics watchdogs are the results of the unions. And there are still some industries where the unions are not only still there, but are absolutely necessary. If you don't think so, come walk the ballast with me at 3 am on Thanksgiving Day. We'll have a nice talk about it...
