What's new about the global economy is First World productivity combined with Third World wages. That can create some real downward pressure on high-wage countries.

They're going to try to make an argument that simply cutting wages, slashing benefits, etc., is not the only way to go. Whether the bankruptcy judge buys that remains an open question.

The court cases reflect that the rat has made its claw marks felt.

Delphi has essentially said: 'We need competitive wages.' Those wages currently are being set in China, not Flint, (Michigan).

They're getting their message across before bargaining begins in earnest. Showing a lot of visibility and political clout means bargaining will be influenced by not just what happens at the table but what happens in the community.

This is the first pitch in the game of hard ball and I think the union is both angered and not by any means intimidated.