MICHIGAN POLL: People say union pay, benefits should fall

The Detriot Free Press reports:

Most Michiganders say an alliance among General Motors Corp., Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. would be good for GM, but many fear it could harm the UAW, the inaugural Detroit Free Press-Local 4 Michigan Poll shows.

By 2-to-1, respondents said GM would benefit from the proposed alliance, with 53% saying it would be good over the long term, 26% bad and 21% unsure. About half said they thought the possible alliance would be good for the U.S. auto industry and the Michigan economy.

Respondents were split about the impact on the UAW: 41% said it would be bad for the Detroit-based union; 36% said it would be good. The remaining 23% said they were unsure. Nissan has nonunion plants in Mississippi and Tennessee.

The union state is in trouble.