The UAW resisted robotics on the assembly line at a time when Japanese cars were mechanically superior to Detroit cars. They capitulated with the stipulation no workers lost a job. When the lines became automated, less workers were required. The displaced employees showed up at the factory and were still paid for doing no work. Attrition eventually eliminated these unproductive workers.
These unproductive workers added about $1800 to the cost of a car. American cars were finally on a mechanical equivalent to imports, but they cost more.
