Most of us are probably aware that US auto companies are taking a severe beating in the marketplace and are slashing costs, ramping up innovation and shuffling management like deck chairs on the Titanic.

I think the problem is way more basic than that. This quote was in an article in the business section of the Cleveland Plain Dealer today.

Worker's at Ford's Walton Hills Stamping Plant have approved new work rules aimed at making the facility more competitive, ideally avoiding a closing.

The key element of the new 'competitive operating agreement' gives management more flexibility in how jobs are done and who does them.

What did that say? You mean the employer will actually get to decide who does what, when and how, I am speechless. How dare an EMPLOYER have the audacity to want this privilege. Some nerve Ford has huh?

My question is, how the heck does Ford or any company stay in business with such a ridiculous set of operating practices.

Union leaders claim enlightenment.