It was the kind of employer that every metropolitan government in the country covets: a respected, long-time manufacturer that employed hundreds of local workers and paid them a living wage, with benefits. But Freightliner’s headquarters are in Germany and its primary markets are on the American East Coast and, as a consequence, Portland’s wishes didn’t amount to a compelling reason for the company to keep building trucks on Swan Island. That’s why Daimler said this week it would shut down its Freightliner truck plant in 2010, when its labor contracts expire. At least 900 Oregon-based employees will lose their jobs. ….Read More