Well, the UAW members have walked. It won't mean much in the short term, but if it become a long-term strike then things get ugly.
Most don't expect that to happen. I don't either. I just hope it doesn't become a case of conventional wisdom (because you know what they say about conventional wisdom).
If you can believe the reporting on this story, the hang up is future job guarantees for the UAW membership. That may be a tough nut to crack, because Rick Wagoner and General Motors (GM) management have certain realities. And Ron Gettelfinger has to convince the union's membership that he's fighting aggressively on their behalf and not readily giving away the store.
Anyway, the good thing is that talks have resumed. Gettelfinger reportedly has always been on good terms with Wagoner and Fritz Henderson. You can bet they're saying a lot more in private than public.
If you subscribe to The Wall Street Journal, you'll read the finest coverage of this story anywhere here. And Bloomberg's reporting of the UAW walk-out is here.
