What the UAW spends its much needed money on.

I am not about to reveal how I came to know about this place or how I obtained first hand knowledge of all this, nevertheless I once stayed at a 'little' lodge called The Walter and May Reuther UAW Family Education Center that is located on Black Lake near Onaway, Michigan (upstate). This facility is the property of the United Autoworkers Union, or the workers of the "failing" (I choose to call it poorly managed) Big Three automakers in the USA. Here is what the UAW 's own site uses to describe what this retreat has to offer (don't forget to watch their video on the place):

Center accommodations include 241 completely remodeled guest rooms, featuring lakeside rooms at Maxon Lodge, hotel-style rooms and fully equipped condos. The campground is open to all UAW members. Campsites are equipped with sewer, water and electrical hookup with nearby indoor shower, toilet and laundry facilities. There also is a boat launching ramp and dock.

A beautiful gymnasium houses two full-sized basketball courts and can seat up to 1,200 people when set up as an auditorium. There is an Olympic-size indoor swimming pool, a sauna next to the men's and women's dressing rooms, an exercise and weight room and pool and table tennis tables.

Black Lake Golf Club is the newest addition to the recreational side of the Family Education Center. Designed by acclaimed architect Rees Jones, the course takes advantage of the spectacular property and is situated on 1,000 acres of heavily-forested land on the southeast side of one of Michigan's largest inland lakes.

Remember they are proud of this place. It is a point of bragging. I stayed there. It was beautiful. In some ways it served as a temple or shrine to the UAW presidents. The people were nice. The food was decent. However, in their written description of the place, they forgot to mention the two sports bars, restaurants, and the over 3,000 sq. ft. first class cabin space that each UAW president gets to stay in the rest of their lives (in case that isn't clear, each president has his own cabin, they don't use the same one over again like the white house-New president; new cabin). When a guest arrives at this resort (not much of a learning center, more like a resort or UAW compound) you park your car in a designated parking lot. From there if you wish to be taken anywhere on site, there is a courtesy shuttle system that drives you around. All you have to do is call the front desk or mention it to any of the staff at this retreat and they will contact a shuttle to come pick you up where you are and take you to where ever you want to go.

At this point I think you get the idea. This place has had some bucks put into it. How is this all paid for you may ask? According to the UAW website the resort was paid for with the interest made off of the "strike fund". Meaning the union dues that are paid by each worker goes into a fund to support their effort to not work until they get their way. A professional pouting fund in other words. That gigantic pool of money is invested in some way and pays for this resort where the president of the union and all of the union hierarchy have unrestricted access to anytime they want. The union members can come and stay there, but they are charged a fee like a hotel stay. Once a year these autoworkers and their families come to this "education center" to be taught how to be better union members. Not better employees, not better humans; better union members. If this was a religion this place would be considered a cult compound. Watch the video. They are clear that they have this place to indoctrinate the workers and their families.

Now, consider how this trickles down to you the US taxpayer. This bailout that is now a 'necessity', is due in part to the "pay" or demands of these autoworkers. That is going to pay for what exactly? To pad what fund? That pays for what? Also consider how much more you have to pay for a car when you go to buy a vehicle.... for what? To help support a fund designed to support the autoworkers right to not work when they don't get what they want. You are also paying for a posh resort in upstate Michigan that these 'impoverished' workers can vacation to and develop campaigns such as this one they are on now. Does that make you feel better about your purchase and your desire to support American made products?

If you look at it, this bailout has been going on for years in a way. I suppose it would be taboo for any politicians (who have probably stayed at this resort in exchange for 'election help') to say that the UAW should sell off their resort to help pay for their own downfalls like anyone else who comes on hard times. I say the taxpayers have been supporting the UAW for far too long now. FYI, Anyone who buys a car where a United Autoworker works, you support these things. Just thought you might like to know.