My take from the article is that if the companies are worried about making cars that cost more with higher union wages then maybe they should pay the C-level folks and shareholders less. The workers should be the most important part of the company.

The automakers’ last known wage offers were around 20% over the life of a four-year contract, a little more than half of what the union has demanded. Other contract improvements, such as cost of living increases, restoration of defined-benefit pensions for newly hired workers and an end to wage tiers within the union are also on the table.

What happened to the 32 hour work day? Disappointment in AP for not mentioning this.