thingstodo

Smooth:

I'm not going to load this up with stats since we are talking about concepts. I will make a point that we all need to feel a part of something bigger than ourselves and I don't believe that a union fits that criteria.

1. There is a big difference in the skillset of a butcher compared to that of someone that lugs tools. And while I also appreciate and value the person that is willing to lug tools around to build me a house, I don't consider it an extremely valuable skill as anyone with the physical ability could easily learn the job.

2. CEOs of many business are raping their companies. That doesn't change the responsibility of the mindset of the employees. Union employees are typically there to earn their paycheck and don't have a great deal of concern for how well the company does. They see things as only so many slices of the pie and they want their slice.

3. I lead an operation of over 500 people, connected to an even larger operation. We have no union. We treat people right, make sure they are fairly compensated and earn even more for above expectations performance, have the ability to learn and grow if they choose, I could go on. If you want to learn more about how that can work without unions, I suggest you read the Gallup organization book "First, Break All The Rules" and gain an understanding of the Q12 method. You might then read "Now, Discover YOur Strengths" and the "Follow This Path."

4. Take a look around. Most are eroding and have a fraction of the power they once had.

5. You make my point for me. The employee's business is the business they are working for. This reminds me of the many people that say "I'm going to work for myself because I want to be my own boss." How silly a notion, because the vast majority of these people end up starting a business that has customers...the most demanding and unforgiving of all bosses.

6. I'm not "Recommending that people up and leave their companies to go work somewhere else on a whim..." Any major change should be well thought out, especially BEFORE you go to work someplace. And then I refer you back to item #1. If your skillset is specific to one thing, like an assembly line, it won't transfer. As a result, you have two choices: 1. unemployment/another meanial job, 2. learn something new and make sure your investment will pay off with an ability to transfer the skillset someplace else. That butcher you mentioned previously can go to work for any grocery store or meat market out there.

I appreciate the time you invested to read my thoughts and then discuss this topic. You present a viewpoint that is valued and shared by many.

By the way, I have worked in my industry for over 26 years, 23 of those with the same company. Prior to that I was a licensed electrical contractor. I started in that field as a part-time laborer (working a second job because I was unable to earn enough from my primary job) lugging tools around. Due to that experience, I built my own house with my wife. I guess that tool lugging experience did transfer as I lugged my own around for the six months it took to build that house. Before that I worked for a brief time on a line that produced furniture. And while I was learning the electrical trade, I worked on various lines at a factory making IV solutions.

So, I experienced enough to know that I didn't want to rely on something like a union to take care of me. Rather, I learned to take care of myself and feel a part of and contribute to the success of something bigger - the business I am a part of. As a result, I am able to directly impact the the success and sometimes failure of my organization beyond just showing up each day.

By the way, I love your Lippman quote and especially the impact of First Amendment. I have been in the newspaper business for those 26-plus years Imentioned above (no, I'm not in the editorial department).

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