In the beginning Unions were needed to represent workers in the face of tremendous disadvantages imposed upon them by employers and in some cases by the government. Many workers bravely stood up to these folks and risked their future for some kind of equality. They were not looking for some special right just an equal right to share in the American Dream.
There were workers forced to work in unsafe conditions for little or no pay. Ending a month owing more to the company store than the total of wages for the month paid. There was little if any government regulation, OSHA, or the Fair Labor Standards Act. had not been put in place, but now they have and the need for union protection is really not a valid need anymore in my opinion.
My father was a member of a union and really believed that the union was the only way he could be represented and that if it were not for his union he would have much worse working conditions and much lower pay for what he did. He was fiercely loyal and would do and vote exactly as his union leaders told him. I worked in two union shops. In both cased I could not have gotten a job without joining the union. In both cases, I paid my dues for protection and benefits. In both cases when I had issues the union did exactly zero for me and simply said that was acceptable under the current contract and I would just have to live with it. I did what any sane person would do, I took my skill to another employer and saved the dues. In the early days of the labor movement some of the impressions of my father may have been correct but Oh how have things changed.
We have gone from a time when unions worked for the benefit of their members to a time where they will sacrifice their members for more power and political influence just for the union leadership. This, not even considering the noted and obvious racketeering and corruption that has infected many unions to this day. These days labor unions have become powerful political machines. They no longer look upon traditional American ideals like capitalism, free choice and competition with favor but actually work against members who show any leanings to these principles. They will, and regularly do, sell out to political machines and perform goon tactics for them as well.
Most Americans when polled by various organizations, would rather not work in a union shop, if they are given a choice. Less than 8 percent of all employees working in non governmental employment currently are union members. Union membership is way down these days in relation to the hay days of the mid 40s. Once a union is in place, it is almost impossible for someone to quite or a business to stop being forced to interact with one.
Politically, what do you think is the makeup of labor unions? Somewhere close to a 50/50 split as the general population is with the split between democrats and republicans? If you feel this assumption is correct you would be wrong, very wrong. In our most recent election of 2008 if you gauge monetary contributions, to support, you may be shocked, that this year and the past 10 straight years the communications workers, teachers, auto workers, and aerospace workers unions gave a big fat zero amount of money to republican party candidates. Contributions from other labor unions were so small they were laughable.
Labor unions are no longer organizations for workers but Political Action Committees, PACs. Working for the election or re-election of only democratic candidates. Democrats have stabbed the union members in the back many times, but union leadership in attempts to maintain their positions, control, and wealth, have distorted the truth to say the least. Are these union members actually being duped into thinking the political machines (democratic) are really looking out for the members or are they thrown under the bus after they have served their purpose?
Please explain this strange riddle:
1. Labor unions fight for more jobs and higher wages by overwhelmingly supporting Democratic politicians.
2. Democratic politicians overwhelmingly support lax immigration policies.
3. Lax immigration policies clearly result in more illegal workers.
4. More illegal workers inevitably result in fewer available jobs and lower wages.
During the 2008 general presidential election, the then candidate Obama, promised that he would offer a more union-friendly administration. Unions rewarded him big time. Just one union the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) contributed more than $80 million to support democratic candidates. Much of this money went right into the coffers of the Obama campaign. We are now beginning to see the fruits of this seeding appearing in the actions and policies of the Obama administration. As we have seen that union membership only represents a small portion of the population, yet because of contributed money and goon tactics, the influence of this small part of society outweighs the majority. Is this the true American way? I am afraid it is becoming more and more the accepted way and not enough of us care. Again minority rules the majority.
In my next posting “Unions Part 2” I will talk exclusively about the SEIU.
My father was a member of a union and really believed that the union was the only way he could be represented and that if it were not for his union he would have much worse working conditions and much lower pay for what he did. He was fiercely loyal and would do and vote exactly as his union leaders told him. I worked in two union shops. In both cased I could not have gotten a job without joining the union. In both cases, I paid my dues for protection and benefits. In both cases when I had issues the union did exactly zero for me and simply said that was acceptable under the current contract and I would just have to live with it. I did what any sane person would do, I took my skill to another employer and saved the dues. In the early days of the labor movement some of the impressions of my father may have been correct but Oh how have things changed.
We have gone from a time when unions worked for the benefit of their members to a time where they will sacrifice their members for more power and political influence just for the union leadership. This, not even considering the noted and obvious racketeering and corruption that has infected many unions to this day. These days labor unions have become powerful political machines. They no longer look upon traditional American ideals like capitalism, free choice and competition with favor but actually work against members who show any leanings to these principles. They will, and regularly do, sell out to political machines and perform goon tactics for them as well.
Most Americans when polled by various organizations, would rather not work in a union shop, if they are given a choice. Less than 8 percent of all employees working in non governmental employment currently are union members. Union membership is way down these days in relation to the hay days of the mid 40s. Once a union is in place, it is almost impossible for someone to quite or a business to stop being forced to interact with one.
Politically, what do you think is the makeup of labor unions? Somewhere close to a 50/50 split as the general population is with the split between democrats and republicans? If you feel this assumption is correct you would be wrong, very wrong. In our most recent election of 2008 if you gauge monetary contributions, to support, you may be shocked, that this year and the past 10 straight years the communications workers, teachers, auto workers, and aerospace workers unions gave a big fat zero amount of money to republican party candidates. Contributions from other labor unions were so small they were laughable.
Labor unions are no longer organizations for workers but Political Action Committees, PACs. Working for the election or re-election of only democratic candidates. Democrats have stabbed the union members in the back many times, but union leadership in attempts to maintain their positions, control, and wealth, have distorted the truth to say the least. Are these union members actually being duped into thinking the political machines (democratic) are really looking out for the members or are they thrown under the bus after they have served their purpose?
Please explain this strange riddle:
1. Labor unions fight for more jobs and higher wages by overwhelmingly supporting Democratic politicians.
2. Democratic politicians overwhelmingly support lax immigration policies.
3. Lax immigration policies clearly result in more illegal workers.
4. More illegal workers inevitably result in fewer available jobs and lower wages.
During the 2008 general presidential election, the then candidate Obama, promised that he would offer a more union-friendly administration. Unions rewarded him big time. Just one union the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) contributed more than $80 million to support democratic candidates. Much of this money went right into the coffers of the Obama campaign. We are now beginning to see the fruits of this seeding appearing in the actions and policies of the Obama administration. As we have seen that union membership only represents a small portion of the population, yet because of contributed money and goon tactics, the influence of this small part of society outweighs the majority. Is this the true American way? I am afraid it is becoming more and more the accepted way and not enough of us care. Again minority rules the majority.
In my next posting “Unions Part 2” I will talk exclusively about the SEIU.
I rather disagree with several points you light upon. I disagree that there is no need for a union. Right now you could speak with 38 people or more that work for the same employer I do. Economic times have hit & hard - so what has management done - targeted the older worker, at the top of their pay scale to go - whether they are ready or not! I know several people who are going to be able to maintain their job - why - their Union. It left to management - seniority and knowledge mean nothing - lesser paid workers would be their choice. I have been president of our union and I would say - Union All the Way....Midge !
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