GM Strike Affects More Than Workers

I live in the Motor City, and to be honest, everything that is happening within the Big 3 here affects us tremendously.

Not only does this affect the jobs for many residents here in Detroit, but it makes it even harder for those associated with the companies. It's working like a ripple effect. What about the suppliers? What are they going to do now that GM is having "worker issues?" There are major supply companies designated for these automobile factories, and what should happen to them once they are no longer needed to supply these special-made products? I believe it's safe to say that with the strike of GM workers, there will surely be layoffs for other workers as well.

A conversation with an employee from Cooper Industries, which supplies the lighting equipment for some makes such as Firebird and/or Corvette, revealed that Cooper Industries is sure to lose millions with a strike by GM. "The sales last year were close to $185 dollars," stated the employee. "And with this being stated, I'd say that GM could possibly be claimed as the number one manufacturer of the automobile industry. But I don't understand what's the beef between the company and its workers."

But according to reports, GM removed dies that provided for the plant that were needed to start production of its new full size truck. This enraged the union and caused workers to walk out. "Nobody knows the entire story, but I'm sure it will all come to surface soon," stated the employee. "And I pray that it will be solved-and soon."

There are many that have been affected by this strike, and there are more to come. Let's picture a family whose only source of income is the parent's one job with GM, and there isn't another parent around to help. Instances such as these are those who give us the dramatic picture of how families may end up homeless or even worse.

Cooper's employee stated that his family may be well-off, seemingly, because they have two working parents in their household, but it still wouldn't be enough to have only one working for part-time. "If this continues, we may have to lose a few things, but I'm sure we'll manage. But, it's gonna be very difficult to maintain. We have a child just now entering college, and we have no means for financial aid, other than our incomes."