General Discussion

elias7

(4,229 posts)

72. You make a great argument for unions

Thu Apr 19, 2012, 11:26 AM

Apr 2012

And yes, I know all about the history of labor in this country, and I have been pro-union ever since I was a kid watching my father (high school teacher) picketing every few years outside of the Cleveland Heights High School for workers rights.

I think you mistook my opinion as to why many people are anti-union now for my opinion on unions in general. When I hear people badmouth unions, I always engage them in conversation, and raise points not unlike those you have raised. Their responses generally revolve around the idea that companies and corporations are in financial difficulties because of the "unreasonable" demands of unions, making them less competitive than non-union corps.

Anti-union talk is Koch Brother/Fox News/GOP talking points that is thorough misinformation and as you rightly point out, completely ignores the history of labor and the necessity of union formation in this country...which is why the workers in your husband's company voted against the union in the first place: they thought if it benefitted the company, then they would be rewarded as well.

Welcome to corporate Amerika

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If Everyone Knew This Astonishing Fact About Unions, We'd All Be In One [View all] Playinghardball Apr 2012 OP

I belonged to a Union for most of my working life, and it is a fact that Unions help teddy51 Apr 2012 #1

K&R for the truth. Brickbat Apr 2012 #2

Isn't that just because union members' jobs require more skills? Bruce Wayne Apr 2012 #3

Strength in numbers. Collective bargaining gives power to workers that they lack individually. Doremus Apr 2012 #4

not at all tk2kewl Apr 2012 #5

Oh, of course. But in aggregate, aren't skilled workers more likely Bruce Wayne Apr 2012 #8

No, it actually works the opposite jeff47 Apr 2012 #23

skilled workers not only ones that should unionize brush Apr 2012 #32

Scoff? Bruce Wayne Apr 2012 #94

Nope quakerboy Apr 2012 #42

Unions are for anyone who needs to have clear and documented working conditions pasto76 Apr 2012 #47

I appologize quakerboy Apr 2012 #55

I have a BA in accounting and have always been exploited by employers. xtraxritical Apr 2012 #79

That's why IT jobs never get sent overseas, amirite? nt Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #54

No, IT jobs don't get sent overseas JayhawkSD Apr 2012 #67

That's why it's changing in IT jeff47 Apr 2012 #71

I agree, I've seen it happen among my friends in Silicon Valley in 20 years. Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #96

Try to remember the time when bartenders, waitresses/waiters........... mrmpa Apr 2012 #50

The time when a mother could stay home and raise kids while pop worked! 1950's / 60's xtraxritical Apr 2012 #81

And still are, in other countries obamanut2012 Apr 2012 #87

Safeway has- or at least had- a union WhoIsNumberNone Apr 2012 #10

We don't have Safeways in Gotham. In any sense of the word. Bruce Wayne Apr 2012 #13

The more that a worker is skilled the more likely they consider LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #22

I have that UnionYes jpg but I don't know how to get into my posts. xtraxritical Apr 2012 #82

No, it is the collective bargaining. TBF Apr 2012 #58

Most unions have a training program INdemo Apr 2012 #84

No, you think processing your mail nadinbrzezinski Apr 2012 #85

Unions prevent workplaces being run like dictatorships felix_numinous Apr 2012 #6

I do not like unions saying people working in non-union shops are stupid or scabs..... Logical Apr 2012 #7

Those companies "treat employees good" to keep the union out. Brickbat Apr 2012 #15

So non-union workers are stupid. I get it. And that is why many hate unions. Logical Apr 2012 #19

Uh....no, there's nothing in that post saying non-union workers are stupid. jeff47 Apr 2012 #27

Which is...exactly not what I said. Brickbat Apr 2012 #44

Exactly.. Back in the day, I was doing temp office work in the HR dept. of an Ivy League University whathehell Apr 2012 #33

Without a doubt, yes, but . . . caseymoz Apr 2012 #16

My BIL has worked at the Honda Plant for 20 years and LOVES his job.... Logical Apr 2012 #18

That sounds like something a union buster would tell the employees. LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #26

So you think my BIL is making it up? Logical Apr 2012 #30

I think he was told that by someone with an axe to grind. LiberalFighter Apr 2012 #36

Have you seen what the Rethugs have tried to do to unions in Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana? Bake Apr 2012 #64

Agree - I am so sick of the labor busting on this site. nt TBF Apr 2012 #69

Absollutly and I don't think it will get any better ... bayareaboy Apr 2012 #76

It will eventually get better but folks are making it hard by TBF Apr 2012 #78

What? How often does he encounter this? Really? caseymoz Apr 2012 #92

Your BIL NNN0LHI Apr 2012 #93

Yes...As my spouse says, "It's the union or the THREAT of the union that keeps companies in line" whathehell Apr 2012 #34

Non-union in the USA Mendocino Apr 2012 #83

You are exactly right on target.. whathehell Apr 2012 #86

if not being able to negotiate... SHRED Apr 2012 #25

There is no union employment in my field. And I have been at same company 25 years. And love it. Logical Apr 2012 #29

Good for you and your BIL. Moosepoop Apr 2012 #31

That's great for y'all for now, but if unions are totally banned......... socialist_n_TN Apr 2012 #37

You hit the nail on the head. Scruffy1 Apr 2012 #73

Thank unions for being treated well at your job. lunatica Apr 2012 #40

Then you need to realize your position of longtime privilege Occulus Apr 2012 #49

Union workers fight hard meanit Apr 2012 #46

I have always said: if companies don't want their employees to unionize - mac56 Apr 2012 #53

This is anti-union nonsense. TBF Apr 2012 #59

Du rec. Nt xchrom Apr 2012 #9

I only wish EC Apr 2012 #11

A lot of people would rather make workers "equal" by killing unions. Doing a good job of it, too. HiPointDem Apr 2012 #12

K & R nt abelenkpe Apr 2012 #14

k&r Starry Messenger Apr 2012 #17

thanks...k and r SHRED Apr 2012 #20

I'm more interested in the graphic in the background. What does that signify? Leopolds Ghost Apr 2012 #21

k&r... spanone Apr 2012 #24

Stats 101: Causation does not equal correlation Travis_0004 Apr 2012 #28

Working with a union is much safer, also. Major Hogwash Apr 2012 #35

One, one, on one-one Fla_Democrat Apr 2012 #38

And that's why they hate us. lunatica Apr 2012 #39

Plus I get free insurance and NEAP/NEBF (retirement) contributions. It's awesome. Edweird Apr 2012 #41

If not for the FEAR of unions, non union wage earners would make a whole lot less rustydog Apr 2012 #43

We need a people's union for everyone as well in right to work for less states. mmonk Apr 2012 #45

ive been working on Ft Carson for over 2 years now, unions here set the prevailing wages pasto76 Apr 2012 #48

Americans want to pull down union workers wages and RAISE CEO wages. Zalatix Apr 2012 #51

Right and we see how that is working out for folks - TBF Apr 2012 #60

Go Unions lovuian Apr 2012 #52

Live better. Work Union. SunSeeker Apr 2012 #56

But the evidence right here in some of the responses shows it's an uphill battle Blecht Apr 2012 #57

It didn't use to be - TBF Apr 2012 #61

I'm always amused by people, working people, who rail against Unions. Javaman Apr 2012 #62

The OP is wrong. That's exactly why people hate unions elias7 Apr 2012 #63

huh? Many corporations are seeing record breaking profits newspeak Apr 2012 #68

You make a great argument for unions elias7 Apr 2012 #72

sorry for the misinterpretation newspeak Apr 2012 #74

I agree exactly elias7 Apr 2012 #75

That's complete BS - TBF Apr 2012 #80

In todays news American Airlines is gettting rid of non-union employees and cutting non-union schlagehundenancee Apr 2012 #65

And the wingers will jump on it ... Myrina Apr 2012 #66

But what about my right to work for less?! My right to work more jobs for less?! MatthewStLouis Apr 2012 #70

You could move to Idaho libodem Apr 2012 #91

As has been said before, if repubs get their way Kingofalldems Apr 2012 #77

Unions are find except....... Old Guy and his pipe Apr 2012 #88

Unions are fine except....... Old Guy and his pipe Apr 2012 #89

Well, now I see why the GOP is so opposed libodem Apr 2012 #90

Solidarity Forever malaise Apr 2012 #95