On 4/27/2015 12:39 PM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> On 4/27/2015 11:39 AM, Dave Smith wrote:
>> On 2015-04-27 10:30 AM, sf wrote:
>>
>>> There are the people who work in a union shop, let the union improve
>>> their working conditions and salary, but don't join - then talk about
>>> how great things are without joining a union. Ed's one of those.
>>>
>>
>> I worked with a lot of people like that. They enjoyed the benefits but
>> didn't want to do any of the work themselves, or even bother to show up
>> for meetings.
>
>
> This is where I differ. I've often stated, if I lived in the 1930's, Id
> probably be a union organizer. The unions did a lot to improve working
> conditions, wages, etc. They were needed. They did good many years ago
> and maybe still do in a few shops.
>
> My working full time started in the 1960s. If I joined a union, I would
> have been held back. I would not let them do the work for me because i
> could do it better. I've bee to a couple of meeting where unions tried
> to organizes us and walked out scratching my head.
>
> In my entire working career, my wages have always been higher than any
> union worker in the place. My benefits have always been better. I've
> always had more time off. I've always have more flexible hours.
>
> Tell my why I should give up any of that and have to pay dues? I'm very
> capable of taking care of myself and my family and have never been
> restricted by a group of people towing the union line and hating the
> company.
>
> The two companies I've worked for for the past 30 years have no unions,
> but we treat the people well, pay a fair wage, we give them good
> benefits and a safe working environment.


Your story is anecdotal, but whose isn't?

I too think unions were once vital in checks and balances.

I do not believe their relevance today justifies their inflated wage scales.

How can a dock worker justify $144K/year?