Syllogism

Major premise -- GM Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre, January 7th:

The development of electric vehicles like the Chevy Volt is creating entire new sectors in the auto industry -- an 'ecosystem' of battery developers and recyclers, builders of home and commercial charging stations, electric motor suppliers and much more. These companies and universities are creating new jobs in Michigan and across the U.S. -- green jobs -- and they’re doing it by developing new technology, establishing new manufacturing capability, and strengthening America's long-term competitiveness.

Minor premise -- Automotive News, February 8th:

General Motors Co. last month assembled its first lithium ion battery pack in suburban Detroit -- with nonunion workers. The plant was set up to make the packs for the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid and other future GM vehicles.

Conclusion -- Might America's long-term competitiveness depend on non-union labor? As Edward Niedermeyer observes, "if GM can get away with using non-union workers at a crucial plant that’s supposed to represent the firm’s future, things aren’t looking so good for our friends in organized labor." Especially given that the choice came from "Government Motors."

(via Kausfiles)