[QUOTE=Kougar018;154787]"But if the Big Three companies talked it over amongst themselves first, and all implemented similar mass layoffs at the same time, it would save them many millions of dollars, and not hurt them much when it comes time to rehire. "
I believe that would be considered collusion.[/QUOTE]
You can use the word “collusion” if you want to, but there is nothing illegal or improper about companies in an industry discussing common problems and solutions. They do it all the time. They do some of it through trade associations. Is it collusion when they agree on industry wide safety standards? Is it collusion when every company has agreed to require you to take SafeGulf and HUET?
It would be a violation of the anti-trust laws if they conspired to fix prices. However, if they merely agreed to take a similar approach to layoffs that clearly necessary due to well known industry wide problems, I do not see how that would be illegal or improper.