It is no question that that Big Three did not help themselves out in the midst of the financial crisis and most of us know they are responsible for a good portion of the damage done to the auto industry. Poor decision making by executives and erratic and unnecessary spending has put domestic automakers in a hole of epic proportions. But what about the United Autoworkers Union? Surely they are to blame as well…Right? Yes, they are and when you read the rest of this post you will understand why.

I have just learned that the Big Three are not the only ones guilty of what some may call ‘questionable spending’. The UAW has been throwing millions of dollars in worker pension funds into the operation and maintinence of a 6.4 million dollar golf course in Onway, Michigan. The course has been operating at a loss for several years, costing the unions millions of dollars in a time when they are struggling to lessen the bleeding of already endangered pension funds. Recent losses have forced the Union to cover the resort’s operating costs with loans, as the strike fund that once kept the course afloat, has decreased dramatically as of late. Critics claim the resort is nothing but a place for top union officials to kick back and relax on company dime and although all union members can play there at a discounted rate, few do it frequently.

Personally I think this just shows how down right criminal some of the desicions made by the UAW and Big Three have turned out to be. I take pride in American cars but when I learned this it was as if someone had hurled a huge egg at my face and I now look like I picked the wrong horse so to speak. However, I am still hopeful the Big Three and the UAW can get their shit together and pull through with some government aid. Only time will tell however…Big_Blocker out.