November 17, 2008 6:21 p.m.
The United States is debating the wisdom of helping the American auto industry big three GM, Ford and Chrysler survive the deepening recession that is gripping the US and the global economy. Those who know their history know and understand that the fate of the auto industry and the destiny of American workers and their great trade unions that struggled in the great depression to overcome the depression, win the war against fascism and deliver widespread prosperity to the American and Canadian people are deeply intertwined. The big three car companies have undoubtedly made terrible mistakes in failing to adapt their firms swiftly and effectively enough to the challenges of global competition and the growing preference and need for environmentally fuel efficient automobiles that were safe,well designed, well built and built to last.But the industry has made some efforts to improve their vehicles and the gap between their cars and those of the Asian imports , for example has closed. The trade unions have also become more flexible and far seeing in trying to help the companies succeed in the interests of all parties. Auto production is central to North American manufacturing. In Canada it accounts for several 100,000 jobs directly and indirectly. In the US there are more than 3 million jobs connected directly and indirectly to this industry.
These jobs and this industry need to be helped and nurtured and the industry once again restored to the cutting edge of innovation and quality manufacturing. It would be very risky and frankly a rejection of history to allow the industry to die a chapter 11 bankruptcy. Restructuring is needed. Union help is needed. Imagination is needed. New management is needed. But in the end the industry should be helped.
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