Will family's 4th generation at GM be its last?

[d_r]

Source: Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. – As a 10-year-old, Rollin Green was awestruck when he saw the line of hulking orange-and-silver robotic arms swinging with rhythmic precision during his first visit to an auto plant. But something impressed him even more: His dad worked there.

Over seven decades and four generations, the Greens have together poured nearly 300 years into building Chevys, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Pontiacs and Cadillacs. They've shared holidays, deer hunting blinds, even the same 160-acre patch of land 25 miles away (they jokingly call it 'Green Acres'). They've traveled the same path with almost clockwork precision — making a beeline from high school graduation to a General Motors plant.

Over seven decades and four generations, the Greens have together poured nearly 300 years into building Chevys, Oldsmobiles, Buicks, Pontiacs and Cadillacs. They've shared holidays, deer hunting blinds, even the same 160-acre patch of land 25 miles away (they jokingly call it 'Green Acres'). They've traveled the same path with almost clockwork precision — making a beeline from high school graduation to a General Motors plant.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090131/ap_on_bi_ge/4_generations_of_gm

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I thought this was a really interesting read

[samplegirl]

1. Sad but true

feeling the same way here in Ohio. Thanks for posting.
K&R

[madmom]

2. Yes I was going to say the same thing. I have to drive past the local GM plant every time I

go into down ands it's really sad to see the empty parking lot. I don't think this town can survive without it.

[jdadd]

3. I feel this started in the late 70s....

My Area had Westinghouse Electric, Ohio Brass, Mansfield tire, Borg Warner, plus all the small businesses that were suppliers of parts and services connected to the large plants. These businesses started dropping like domino's in the late 70s. I was a victim of the Westinghouse closing in 1990. Since then 3 other places of employment for me have closed....The last being a supplier to the automotive industry. I heard that a large PPG plant has been taken over by the same "Holding Company" that closed my last place of employment...I know they are on the way out. About all we have left here is the GM metal stamping plant and Emerson Electric thermostat plant (formerly Therm o Disk). I know the GM plant has cut back, I hardly see any cars in the lot when I drive past.... I told my Co Workers at Westinghouse the shit was going to hit the fan after Ronnie Ray Gun Fired the air traffic controlers...They laughed at me and continued to vote against their best interests.... This is so sad,I think this has all been a massive plot to drive unions and decent wages out and to get the proletariat under control, and working for slave wages.

[Javaman]

4. right on the mark. nt