Unions

[Sgt. Rock]

I was a member ( and founder) of Local 3169. It a union for firefighters/medics in central Florida. I served on the board and can say it was the best thing that happened for the firefighters AND the public. We started the union to ensure that training and safty equipment which was needed ( but was always too expencive for the county to invest in) was obtained. It also made our requirments for training and cert much harder to acheive. As a result after three years the quality of people serving was dramaticaly increased. So in our case the union has been a good thing. Our dues were minimal ($20 bi monthly) and we could not strike.

[biker chick]

I am a member, a representative, and on about a zillion committees. Unions are built by their members and they play an essential role in employment rights and fair working terms and conditions. My union is certainly a strong one and we are getting stronger by the minute.

[tman_ndsu08]

Quote by: biker chick I am a member, a representative, and on about a zillion committees. Unions are built by their members and they play an essential role in employment rights and fair working terms and conditions. My union is certainly a strong one and we are getting stronger by the minute.

Of course, what "rights" employees have and what make "fair" working conditions are determined by the market.

[biker chick]

Actually the structure of a union is built by and upon its members, if you have a lack of members then your union is weakening. The union I am involved with have grown from strength to strength and the recent elections that took place secured us some of the best chairmans we have ever had. The Young members are getting involved, the personal cases arebecoming less in-frequent, we have rallies and discussion groups and new committees being formed all the time. There are campaigns constantly being fought and management deals being negotiated.

The market is neither here nor there. Its the people that are active that secure what "rights" employees have and what "fair" working conditions we have.

[biker chick]

Quote by: Cephus Are you nuts? Unions are anything but voluntary. If a shop goes union, everyone in the shop is required to join the union or they lose their jobs. Just how voluntary does that sound to you? Further, there are many unions where you simply must belong or you cannot work in the industry at all. Unions are criminal organizations, period.

Im sorry to burst your bubble but this is a really warped idea of a union! Im sure that there are some that are corrupt. But I would check your facts before commenting! The majority of unions are very easy going.... "if a shop goes union" it does not necessarily mean that the other workers have to join........( as it depends how good your union really is) the whole point of the union is whats fair and just and freedom of choice plays a huge part in that. If a worker chooses not to join then so be it..... some people insist on riding on the backs of others. Thats life.

You as an employee have to make a stand if your union is not doing what it should be. You should try to get involved to try to change it or make complaints to other unions to assist you. My union plays a big part in helping and supporting other unions.. just as much as other unions help and support us. If there is foul play we take measures to campaign about them on the highest level.

If you are that passionate about it you have to get campaigning to help yourself and your colleagues. Instead of wasting time moaning about.. you have to do something about it.

To me that is complete common sense. You dont get anything for nothing.

[tman_ndsu08]

Quote by: biker chick Actually the structure of a union is built by and upon its members, if you have a lack of members then your union is weakening. The union I am involved with have grown from strength to strength and the recent elections that took place secured us some of the best chairmans we have ever had. The Young members are getting involved, the personal cases arebecoming less in-frequent, we have rallies and discussion groups and new committees being formed all the time. There are campaigns constantly being fought and management deals being negotiated. The market is neither here nor there. Its the people that are active that secure what "rights" employees have and what "fair" working conditions we have.

Nope.

The market is already determining that workers in America get too many rights and have too nice of working conditions. Manufacturing in Asia, for example, is taking all the jobs away from Americans because the market has determined that it's cheaper to manufacture over there.

[PatrickHenry]

Quote by: tman_ndsu08 The market is already determining that workers in America get too many rights and have too nice of working conditions.

There is no fair market. It's a setup.

[biker chick]

[quote=tman_ndsu08]Nope.

The market is already determining that workers in America get too many rights and have too nice of working conditions. Manufacturing in Asia, for example, is taking all the jobs away from Americans because the market has determined that it's cheaper to manufacture over there.[/QUOTE

well when thinking logically about it.... now is that really involving every union? I very much doubt it....... cyncicism is the same as assumption. You should not be so cynical about something that is simply just an assumption. If you argue its not an asumption then why have I got such a good union who doesnt support practices such as shipping jobs over-seas? you obviously need to either fight for your rights of find another union.

[tman_ndsu08]

Quote by: PatrickHenry There is no fair market. It's a setup.

The market is inherently perfectly fair. Only government regulations can make it unfair.

[Cephus]

Quote by: biker chick Im sorry to burst your bubble but this is a really warped idea of a union! Im sure that there are some that are corrupt. But I would check your facts before commenting! The majority of unions are very easy going.... "if a shop goes union" it does not necessarily mean that the other workers have to join........( as it depends how good your union really is) the whole point of the union is whats fair and just and freedom of choice plays a huge part in that. If a worker chooses not to join then so be it..... some people insist on riding on the backs of others. Thats life.

I don't know what you're smoking, but you're obviously hoarding it all.

Try telling people in radio and television that they don't have to join the unions. Go ahead. I'll wait while they laugh in your face. Likewise, every trade union that I'm aware of, from plumbers to carpenters, etc. all require 100% compliance in "their" shops. You join or you're terminated. In fact, I was at one point part of the management for the Anaheim Convention Center which is strongly union-controlled. If you were hired, you were forced to join the union whether you wanted to or not. You had no other option. Your employment depended on giving money out of your paycheck to the union.

[Mia]

People keep making blanket statements about unions in general and then debating them. They are not all the same! There are horrible, corrupt ones, and good ones, and in between.

Nothing to ge gained by trying to generalize and debate something non-existent: the cookie-cutter union.

[Mia]

Quote by: PatrickHenry There is no fair market. It's a setup.

PH - the guy who wrote Bushwhacked: he investigates 'conspiracy', right?

I swear if he heard the story about the union and management of one of the biggest corporations in the US, he might take an interest in investigating it - my friend has worked there 10 years and you wouldn't believe what goes on.

Soes he still do that? Does he have a website? Thanks.

[PatrickHenry]

Here's his bio, Mia: http://www.uridowbenko.com/bio.html

[lily]

GodBlessAmerica

Unions just being themselves screw themselves IMO. Great example is the auto industry. They forced the companies like Ford to give them so much stuff like unrealistic pensions, that Ford is just about going under these days. About $2,000 of each car sale has to go to benefits. Ford now can't compete.

Ah, something I can sink my teeth into. You do realize that those pensions were hard earned by the employees, don't you? 30 years ago there were no 401k, IRAs. The same rumor has been going around about the cost of health care, yet the car made in Canada costs the same as the car made right here in the USA.

Plus there has been and still is lots of underworld crime associated with unions. I think unions used to be needed regarding working conditions for employees, but their time has passed.

.......and you can say the same thing about the government or any other large organization. I have no doubt that there is corruption in the higher ranks, in fact that's what happened to the pension funds..........but down dirty in the factories, your union steward is the only link you have. If he doesn't stand up for your rights..he's out! You get what you pay for.

[Mia]

Quote by: PatrickHenry Here's his bio, Mia: http://www.uridowbenko.com/bio.html

Thanks - I knew you'd have it!

[Nono]

Quote by: Mia Who in here is a member of a union and what are your thoughts on the matter?

In my time I've been a member of the USW and UEW. Are they run by homo sapiens and thus prone to all the flaws of any large, human-run organization? Yes. But big deal, so are all the others, including those not formed to defend the weak against the strong.

And one thing I noticed was that those most given to bitching about the union were those least willing to get involved themselves.

[biker chick]

Quote by: Nono In my time I've been a member of the USW and UEW. Are they run by homo sapiens and thus prone to all the flaws of any large, human-run organization? Yes. But big deal, so are all the others, including those not formed to defend the weak against the strong. And one thing I noticed was that those most given to bitching about the union were those least willing to get involved themselves.

Thats always the case Nono...... Those who bitch about it never join.. and they always ride on our others members backs. It is frustrating.... but thats life...

Being involved in a union means you are open to constant criticism. You just have to do what is fair and right and ignore the non-supporters. As long as the work that you have done for the union has been fair and just... then you know you have done your job. Managment try all sorts of tactics to get employees less rights... but negotiation tactics used by a good union will work.. you just have to persevere.

For the record the union I am involved in is in the UK.... though worldwide we all have links. Its a shame some of you have corrupt ones... but the workers have to unite and fight and negotiate fair working terms and conditions. Instead of debating good/bad unions.. Get out there and change your union... when the elections next come up.... try to vote for someone better... and if no-one can be found.. the involve yourself.. and YOU stand at the next election.