Originally Posted by smoore

I have a problem with this too. How do we fix it? This is one of the reasons I'm not in a union shop right now. I work hard and when someone next to me is lazing around for the same, sometimes greater pay, it makes me jealous.



Yup, another example of idiocy. Fact is, replacing lamps is an easy task and not one that needs to be unionized. Instances like this make me think the union mentality has gone too far.



Fortunately, I have never been victimized like this. My union reps and stewards have always gone to bat for me when I needed them personally. It's definitely a reason I feel the way I do right now.



By buying union made products, I have faith that the workers producing them are not exploited. Note I say faith, not belief. I have no real way of verifying these people have adequate working conditions and are paid a living wage so I resort to "Union Made" as a catch-all. This whole thing started when I watched those movies about Wal-Mart when I was union and started researching just what a sweatshop is. I can't support businesses that oppress workers any longer. I've been known to find the "Made in China" label on items my wife and I are discussing while in a store and categorically saying, "Nope, we're not going to buy that!" Yeah, it pisses her off.

I can't think of a single industry that could not be unionized besides the craft sorts where sole proprietorship reigns supreme. As a matter of fact my wedding ring was produced by an artisan working on her own in her garage. Hell, that's better than union! Unfortunately I lost that ring. It was a real bummer, I loved that thing.

The socks that prompted this post are Union Made in the USA. I was frankly amazed any socks were produced in the US in this day and age.



This is my main reason for supporting unions in the US. There are a lot of problems and I personally believe that if they don't get their act together they will die. Workers are turning against them for reasons such as those listed in this thread (and I'm sure we'll have more examples), corporations don't see the union as a viable workforce due to situations like the UAW. Unions must adapt or die. I'm not savvy enough to "fix" them myself and am at a loss for something to do about it.

The most high profile example of union-busting gone awry that affects everyone in this country is the air traffic controllers strike. Sure, the system ran along fine for a couple decades but now it's a shambles and everyones safety is at risk. There are multiple instances of overworked fatigued controllers making mistakes. Recently there was an incident caused because a controller had to leave his station so he didn't shit himself. Instead of the two controllers in the tower there was only one and he had been there for 5 or 6 hours without a break. Controllers are retiring in droves and there aren't enough young recruits to replace them. Who would for $12/hr? On another note I would be proud to be an ATC but they won't take me. I'm too old.



I disagree. Look at the horrible corporation Wal-Mart. They go so far as to require their employees to use public health care to improve the bottom line. It's required because Wal-Mart doesn't provide a health plan and the majority of it's workers can barely afford rent, let alone health care. This is not how one of the countries largest employers should behave. Without unions in the past I believe EVERY corporation would operate like this. Without unions what exactly would have stopped the robber barons? The only way to do it is to band together and collectively bargain.

I love the rest of your post and it describes succinctly what is wrong with unions in America today. I want my rep and my steward to make more money than me but why should they be paid what appears to be a CEO level income? That makes no sense.

I disagree with your last statement, unions don't need to be killed off they need to evolve and change to fit todays workplace. Without strong unions in the first world people in developing nations are going to have a much tougher time of it. We need to be leaders for the world in this regard.

ngdawg, I have a serious problem with the teachers union in this country today. They are setting education policy against the wishes of intelligent parents and politicians. Tenure is a concept I can't really get my head around. "Because I've been here so long you can't fire me." Uhhh, what? This subject could become a whole different thread.

I've never worked in a mixed union shop and have no idea what it's like. Sounds horrible for everyone involved.

thingstodo, I would rephrase it and say the UAW has already killed the big two . Chrysler was the first obvious casualty. Expect the other two to fall soon.