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My dad was an auto worker who faithfully worked at an Ohio General Motors plant for decades, first as an hourly employee, later as a foreman, and before his retirement, parts manager. His duties for the latter, at one time included ordering parts from various suppliers around the country.
I remember vividly, the day he came home ranting about how he was asked to order this one particular part from Mexico. He said, "I refused to do it."
Of course you would have had to have known my dad to know what that statement actually meant. If he he didn't agree with something, he'd let you know in no uncertain terms for sure. I was very young and didn't quite know what all of the fuss was about at the time.
Anyway, as the child of a auto worker in the 70s-80s, my siblings and I benefited from all of my dad's union benefits. We had a good life, and always sporting the newest cars-GM-made of course-thanks to my dad's employee discount. My favorite was that two-tone maroon Pontiac Grand Prix, which by the time dad brought that one home, I was a high school-er WITH a driver's license! HOTT DOG!!
So now, over 30 years later, GM is on the verge of collapse and planning to phase out the storied Pontiac brand. I--as do many others--watch in disbelief as the company frantically works to stay afloat.
Will it survive?
Dad is in heaven now, I wish I could ask him what he's thinking.
Dad and mom back in the day ...
Your thoughts on the auto crisis? Cast your vote in the poll.
That was a touching story about your father.
ReplyDeleteLike baseball and apple pie, General Motors is an American Institution. They're viability is crucial to making sure the U.S. stay viable as a manufacturing country.
Thank-you.
DeleteThe plant where he once worked shuf down this year. :(