Is it better to be forced to join a union instead ? In New York State you CANNOT become a teacher, policeman, EMT, or even an office clerk for the state government without being compelled to join the corresponding union.
Private unions, absolutely. Public unions…well, that’s another issue. In these negotiations, nobody EVER, EVER negotiates on behalf of those who pay the bill and use the services—the taxpayers. It’s more like a choreographed kabuki among the unions and the pols. This is a particularly important point concerning police unions, which are profoundly pro-police and anti-public interest. But all the other public unions have similar issues. It’s a real conundrum. I have no idea what the correct course of action might be, but the public sector unions tend to be a negative force, not a positive one. With private unions, we should aspire to more of the German model where there is close collaboration between labor and management.
Unions were needed at one time, but now rule of law protects the worker against dangerous conditions. The Unions killed, steel, textile, and almost the auto industry.
I guess those venues can force teachers, firefighters, etc., to join unions because of the wild coincidence that in those areas, teachers and firefighters and so on aren’t getting the kind of screwing they get in other places.
Unions are little more than organized goonery. When I was just out of the marines (after Vietnam), I worked at a plastics plant. When I had been there long enough, I was offered the “privilege” of joining the union. Having no experience in union matters, I had questions for the union rep which she was either unable or unwilling to answer (mostly having to do with the advantages of joining vs not joining – what do I get for my dues?). Two days later, I was met in the parking lot by two men who were there to “answer” my questions. They had a knife and a union paper for me to sign. I declined to sign without my questions being answered and a spirited discussion ensued. I got seventeen stitches and one of them had to be carted off in an ambulance while the other fled. Seemingly, nobody knew who they were, least of all the union stewards. After that, my tires were slashed twice. So I left the job, went back into the service and have had no use for unions since. Most unions are organized for little more than to keep the union bosses in cushy jobs and to make them rich.
To force someone to join a union is like forcing them to join the Nazi party in Germany in order to work. To take union dues form their check if they do not join is strong-arm robbery. I now live in a right-to-work state after retiring from the marines and have nothing to do with unions. I work where I please, I shop where I please and associate with whom I please. Unions tell you where to shop and who to avoid. I alone negotiate my salary and benefits and I pay nobody to do it for me, least of all corrupt union bosses.
Interesting that “conservatives” whine about wages being flat over the last decade or so, but don’t note it’s precisely because of these “right to work” states keeping wages low. Boeing, Toyota, BMW, and others have gone to those states precisely because they can employ folks at lower wages, in regions where costs (and standards) of living also remain lower, but the workers are “satisfied”.
With less than 8% of the workforce “unionized”, unions are hardly their once powerful force against unfair labor practices, let alone unfair salary practices, for labor, but not lowering CEO incomes at all.
I’ve never had the need to be represented by a Union. I stand on my own, negotiate for my best benefit, and take care of myself. My experience from Unions is that they want the most money for the least amount of real work! Unions are for slackers!
Carl Premium Member over 9 years ago
That’s as simplistic as the justification for right to work laws.
WestNYC Premium Member over 9 years ago
Is it better to be forced to join a union instead ? In New York State you CANNOT become a teacher, policeman, EMT, or even an office clerk for the state government without being compelled to join the corresponding union.
twclix over 9 years ago
Private unions, absolutely. Public unions…well, that’s another issue. In these negotiations, nobody EVER, EVER negotiates on behalf of those who pay the bill and use the services—the taxpayers. It’s more like a choreographed kabuki among the unions and the pols. This is a particularly important point concerning police unions, which are profoundly pro-police and anti-public interest. But all the other public unions have similar issues. It’s a real conundrum. I have no idea what the correct course of action might be, but the public sector unions tend to be a negative force, not a positive one. With private unions, we should aspire to more of the German model where there is close collaboration between labor and management.
TCCulberson over 9 years ago
Unions were needed at one time, but now rule of law protects the worker against dangerous conditions. The Unions killed, steel, textile, and almost the auto industry.
Kip W over 9 years ago
I guess those venues can force teachers, firefighters, etc., to join unions because of the wild coincidence that in those areas, teachers and firefighters and so on aren’t getting the kind of screwing they get in other places.
Yup. Just a coincidence.
hawgowar over 9 years ago
Unions are little more than organized goonery. When I was just out of the marines (after Vietnam), I worked at a plastics plant. When I had been there long enough, I was offered the “privilege” of joining the union. Having no experience in union matters, I had questions for the union rep which she was either unable or unwilling to answer (mostly having to do with the advantages of joining vs not joining – what do I get for my dues?). Two days later, I was met in the parking lot by two men who were there to “answer” my questions. They had a knife and a union paper for me to sign. I declined to sign without my questions being answered and a spirited discussion ensued. I got seventeen stitches and one of them had to be carted off in an ambulance while the other fled. Seemingly, nobody knew who they were, least of all the union stewards. After that, my tires were slashed twice. So I left the job, went back into the service and have had no use for unions since. Most unions are organized for little more than to keep the union bosses in cushy jobs and to make them rich.
To force someone to join a union is like forcing them to join the Nazi party in Germany in order to work. To take union dues form their check if they do not join is strong-arm robbery. I now live in a right-to-work state after retiring from the marines and have nothing to do with unions. I work where I please, I shop where I please and associate with whom I please. Unions tell you where to shop and who to avoid. I alone negotiate my salary and benefits and I pay nobody to do it for me, least of all corrupt union bosses.
Dtroutma over 9 years ago
Interesting that “conservatives” whine about wages being flat over the last decade or so, but don’t note it’s precisely because of these “right to work” states keeping wages low. Boeing, Toyota, BMW, and others have gone to those states precisely because they can employ folks at lower wages, in regions where costs (and standards) of living also remain lower, but the workers are “satisfied”.
With less than 8% of the workforce “unionized”, unions are hardly their once powerful force against unfair labor practices, let alone unfair salary practices, for labor, but not lowering CEO incomes at all.
38lowell over 9 years ago
Why are folks leaving the state of New York?
parrotthead09 over 9 years ago
I’ve never had the need to be represented by a Union. I stand on my own, negotiate for my best benefit, and take care of myself. My experience from Unions is that they want the most money for the least amount of real work! Unions are for slackers!
LOLisgood4U over 9 years ago
Unions screwed themselves with their greed. They have long since outlived their usefulness.
kaffekup over 9 years ago
“Rich people don’t create jobs; actually, it’s just the reverse.”
DarkHorseSki over 9 years ago
And yet states that adopt “Right to Work” continue to prosper and tend to do so better than the states where people do not have such a right.