Industry news

Developments in the current AAM strike…nobody knows what it means except some bloggers think that now AAM provided the cost justification for the $14hr wage proposal less benefits. If true, what does this mean for UAW negotiations.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/BUSINESS01/80401039/1014

This strike is causing plant shutdowns as we speak….

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080401/FREE/579049682/1023/rss01&rssfeed=rss01

Question: what problems are getting solved here by shutting down plants?

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Other industry news:

Dell Computer, known for its configure to order business model is announcing plant closures.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/040108dnbusdell.1be6ad8c.html

Necessary? Who knows, I’m not an expert and don’t know Dell’s finances. But I’ve always heard of Dell’s agile manufacturing systems and profitability, how is closing a plant a good thing for Americans? Here is the sick and twisted part: analysts are encouraged by this news. Unemployment? This is good news? I guess only on wall street, eh?