This is the time of year when journalists write their predictions for the coming year. I no longer do that, since my forecasts, like those of most "seers," are generally wrong.

But there is value in asking the right questions about what's ahead in 2019. So with that in mind, here are some of the major stories and trends we'll be hearing about over the next 12 months.

I make no predictions on how they'll turn out. But I do think these will be worth watching.

Will UAW talks lead to more layoffs?

Contract talks between the UAW and major Detroit automakers are always worth watching. But General Motors' recent round of layoffs and downsizing could make the 2019 round of contract talks especially fraught.

To recap, GM CEO Mary Barra recently announced the automaker would no longer allocate a product at three assembly plants — Detroit Hamtramck, Lordstown, Ohio, and Oshawa, Ontario. Layoffs there plus white-collar job losses could see something like 14,000 GM current workers potentially losing a job.

The UAW will no doubt make those plant closings a focus of next year's talks — trying to get a new product assigned to at least one of those plants. What happens will provide more clues to the future map of auto production in this region.

Whatever happens, the relentless consumer shift from small cars to SUVs and light trucks shows that the realignment of the auto industry continues. That, plus the growth of new mobility options like robotic cars and trucks, will continue to redefine the traditional auto industry and make 2019's UAW talks a big story.

When will we see building begin?

One of the odd things about major development projects is that immediately after the groundbreaking, nothing seems to happen for a long time.

That's because site work, in the form of environmental remediation or the digging of foundations, can take a year or more. Dan Gilbert's groundbreaking for his Hudson's site project, which will become Detroit's tallest new building, took place a year ago but the site remains mostly a big hole in the ground for now.

But for that one and a couple of other major Detroit projects, the period of site work should give way in 2019 to the actual erection of steel. I'm thinking of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, Gilbert's Hudson's site, and perhaps Gilbert's Monroe Blocks project, too.

All these projects have been talked about for so long that it will be a relief to actually start to see steel rising against the skyline. It may yet be 2020 before major parts of the structures take shape. But certainly 2019 should see significant progress.

Will Michiganders feel tariff impact?

Controversy over renewal of the North American Free Trade Agreement finally gave way in 2018 to a new US Mexico Canada Agreement that tweaked, rather than revolutionized, trade among the three nations.

But President Donald Trump's continued trade dispute with China could lead to more economic uncertainty for Michigan farmers and others whose output winds up in Asia. Nobody knows how all this will work out. But the signs point toward more uncertainty before a resolution is reached.

How will blue wave harness power?

The big political news of 2018 was the Democractic "blue wave" that saw the party take over the U.S. House of Representatives as well as top positions in Michigan government, including governor, secretary of state, and attorney general.

So the big question for 2019 is what will these newly elected Democrats do with their power. Clearly, there are limits on what they can do, with Republicans still controlling other major parts of government, including the White House.

But issues such as raising the minimum wage, shoring up protections for health care, and other controversies that fed Democratic anger in 2018 will be the focus of debate in 2019. How it will all work out is anybody's guess. But those and other economic issues will stand front and center.

More:Dan Gilbert about to break ground on Detroit's next big thing

More:Home values up in metro Detroit, well-being not so much

How will regional transit move ahead?

Regional transit, that perennial issue in southeast Michigan, continues to face an uncertain future. But if backers hope to get the issue back on the ballot for, say, 2020, there will have to be some major decisions taken in 2019.

Among those: Will the next ballot proposal presented to voters look pretty much like the one suburban voters shot down last time with a few tweaks and sweeteners, or will it look radically different?

For example, would a regional transit plan remove Macomb County, where the strongest opposition to an RTA plan resides, from any proposed system? That would require state legislative approval, as would other major changes.

Will employers find workers they need?

With the jobless rate in Michigan and the nation near historic lows, employers are finding it more difficult to recruit the staffers they need. Positions ranging from restaurant wait staffs to high-tech engineers are going begging for qualified workers.

As the nation's economic expansion continues, as it's expected to do in 2019, those worker shortages are likely to get worse. And that will lead to greater discussion about job training programs, incentives for hiring, and other steps. Look for that to be the focus of more news in the coming months.

What did I miss?

I'm sure there will be other big economic news coming in 2019. Feel free to send me your thoughts. My contact info is below.

Contact John Gallagher: 313-222-5173 or gallagher@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @jgallagherfreep.