A “good” union is not a threat to profitability. Yet, I have seen unions do stupid things.
YRC and the teamsters comes to mind instantly. The Teamsters somehow thought they were running YRC and then YRC closed their doors and 20,000 teamsters members lost their jobs. You have the same scenario unfolding with Fords, GM and Stellantis.
The UAW can 'dictate' all it wants to but in the end, the employer still has the upper hand. Like Kenny Rodgers sang... 'You gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to fold 'em'.....
While I don't know what is transpiring with Stellantis or GM, I know Fords presented Fain with what they considered their 'best offer' an offer that still allowed them to be profitable for their stockholders and Fain blew them off. I don't see Fords sweeting that offer much if any at this point as they know full well what the break point is. Fain nor the UAW don't and from what I see, don't care either.
What I do see happening is Fords going into receivership and emerging at the other end as a non union company however and if that plays out, GM and Stellantis will follow suit.
Of course that leaves the UAW and it's members with nothing but an 'empty suit'. Conversely then, the auto makers can rehire the union workers as 'at will' employees and weed out the low hanging fruit that the union protected.
'Lean Manufacturing' does have it's advantages.
That may or may not be the end game in this. I'm only projecting.