I've heard a blended rate of $28.12/hr US for all unionized employees (that goes from the cafeteria staff, janitors to engine testers). Still that's nearly $57,000/yr to serves fries, sweep the floor or put that proverbial third screw into a Taurus bumper.
The workers at Honda, Nissan, Kia, etc... make on average $3/hr less and their benefits cost about 40% less to the employer
I've also read where it's up to ~$79/hr if it's just the unionized factory worker with benefits factored in.
Now THAT"S a lot of coin.
If there is to be any progress in the bailout, the UAW will have to be willing to give major PERMANENT concessions. If not, look for Chrysler to fold and GM to be radically scaled back (possibly bankruptcy protection)
It would be really nice to know just how many people are ripping us off- on second thought maybe we don't want to know- we should just quit buying American made products - if we are going to starve maybe everyone from the C.E.O.s down should starve.