Regular Freedom@Work readers may remember Ron Bloom [1], a former Steelworker union operative charged with running the American auto industry from Washington. Now that car manufacturers are doing so "well [2]," Bloom is about to get a promotion [3]:

The Obama Administration may elevate Ron Bloom, head of the government's auto task force, to a job that would set U.S. manufacturing policy more broadly, people familiar with the matter said.

Bloom's responsibilities at the new position? They're extensive, to say the least:

As the chief policy maker on manufacturing, Bloom would be charged with reviewing U.S. competitiveness in the global economy. His job would likely encompass trade, taxes and other economic issues . . .

Just what American industry needs: another "czar" [4] whose relevant work experience involves running struggling companies into the ground and exploiting their workers [5]. We're sure industry leaders across the country are thrilled at the prospect of taking orders from a union czar. 

The result of this personnel move seems likely to be more forced unionism, less American competitiveness, more job losses, and ultimately more bankruptcies and taxpayer-funded bailouts of corruptly run union pension plans.