>> reporter: news of the unemployment rate climbing higher is heartfelt in communities like this one in ypsilanti township outside of detroit. over my shoulder the manufacturing plan at the height of world war ii producing a new b-24 bomber every hour. many argue it might have been a deciding factor in winning the war. today it is gm's transmission plan in the 70s there were more than 14,000 workers employed there. last year when gm decided units bankruptcy plans would it close its doors there was less than 1400 workers. today there's barely over 300. many worry what will happen when the doors shut for the last time on december 23rd? we are at the uaw hall local 735, you are the former president, bob, you worked at the gm plant, john, you as well. gentlemen, take me back, a