The union-anti union debate has refuel here lately!
This is my view of it.
I have very mixed feelings towards unions these days. I am still a union member, but not particularly proud to be one!
The unions of the past have made our working conditions better, that much I will give them! A whole book could be written about working conditions BEFORE the unions!
Today's unions are not doing that much for us though, other than keeping, or slowing down the loss of benifits gained in the past!
The things that make union shops better are seniority rights, (which is a double edged sword, because in some cases people promoted by seniority, do not deserve the promotions.) Seniority in layoff issues is a good thing!
Another good thing is that in a union environment, your "freedom of speech" is protected! Without it, your ability to speak up without regard to your future employment, and/or future raises, is severely limited, at best!
The things I do NOT like about the unions is that part of my dues goes to liberal politicians, who DO NOT have one thing that I wish to support! Such as abortion rights and gun control!
Yes, you heard it right, not just pro-murder, but ANTI GUN too! The unions, as a whole, support both of these things!
For these two issues alone, I would quit the union! The only thing keeping me in the union, is I do work in a union shop, and do not like the idea of freeloading, seniority, and the fact that I do not have a voice in changing the union (not likely,) if I am not a member!
As I said, I'm a member, but not a proud member! If they would keep the political adgenda out of it, the unions could probably be stronger!
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Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty or Safety!
Ben Franklin
I LOVE my country, I FEAR my government!
If your mother was an abortion proponent, would you be reading this right now?
jagmagman there is a clause on dues paying that allows you to not have part of your dues withheld for these political reasons only for local running of the union check into it.
also on your views of union good points and bad I agree with the good and bad but one thing I've come to realize is that unions area a business just like the comanys they have contracts with in some cases if that means selling out some members oh! well it's just business. however the young people of today will not have a middle class to be a part of it will be corprate types and burger flipers if the unions don't get strong which is not going to happen unless government wakes up and starts to protect the american workforce and our jobs
Most unions have what is called a non-partisan political league, they donate money to help re-elect officials who vote for labor related issues. If they do not vote for the labor issues that benefit the worker they don't get any $$$$$ for re-election. You can CHOOSE to pay into this or not. Some unions have it set up in their constituion & by-laws that union dues can not be used for political reasons.
Jag,
If you think that's all unions do now a days, really look into what they do esp. in the politcal arena. Why do you think that safety, FMLA & ergonomics are such hot topics with big business, they don't want to pay to help protect the workers. Here in WA Boeing has again & again tried to use tactics to get those above mentioned laws changed. I watch people get hurt on the job in here all the time, doing their job the way they're supposed to & then the Co. not wanting to fix them. They just want to throw them away & forget about them & load several billion in their pockets. BS!
The union here also is trying to fight for COLA for retirees, yep that's right. People who retired in 1975 are now choosing to buy medication, pay their heating bill or buy food. Real nice considering they made the company BILLIONS. Boeing's retirement fund has some much excess they haven't paid into it for 10 years................a 8 billion $ surpluss.
So before you go around saying the unions these days aren't doing their job which is representing you in making sure your Federal, State & Contractual Rights are not infringed upon. They are also doing a lot in other areas like building wheel chair ramps for the disabled & donating time to homeless shelters & food banks in the community. We're also the #1 donator to Guide Dogs of America. Go to your union hall & find out what's going on........get involved it's your union, you can't change things without being involved. Who knows you may even be thankful of your union job & donate some of your time & resources to help out the communtiy or someone who is not so lucky to be where you are.
Not all unions are bad & not all are good, they have their good points & bad.
Bldhound
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Take a kid hunting or fishing & pass on the traditions.
My View on Unions!
