How many here belong a union in the public or private sector? Why? or Why not?

[Rocketman]

I dunno, the money is good and he benefits are better and...

How so, and benefits and pay are much better now than when I was part of a union.

 

[ChrisL]

How so, and benefits and pay are much better now than when I was part of a union.

I would think that all depends on what industry you work in.

 

[Rocketman]

I would think that all depends on what industry you work in.

I think it depends on whether a person is willing to be paid according to their performance. If everyone was paid according to their individual contribution to the bottom line, we would not be in the shape we are in.

 

[Helix]

right out of grad school, i worked in a CD warehouse which was covered by UAW. the place fired a bunch of us right before our 90 day probationary period was up so that they could bring in temps for a couple bucks less an hour. the job sucked. management invented reasons to fire each of us, but the union sat in and fought them, even though we had only worked a few months. i moved on to work in my field; others weren't as lucky. i'm still grateful that the union fought for me, though.

the salary wasn't exorbitant, either. it was nine bucks an hour plus an HMO. i think the place has closed, as CDs have fallen off the map since then. i've considered making a trip there to urinate on the empty building. i do feel bad for the people who had many years in there; i hope that they found other work and didn't get totally screwed.

 

[ChrisL]

I think it depends on whether a person is willing to be paid according to their performance. If everyone was paid according to their individual contribution to the bottom line, we would not be in the shape we are in.

Just look at the sweat shops in other countries where workers have no rights. If not forced, a lot of companies would NOT pay an employee their worth. They would pay as little as possible to increase their own bottom line. That is why China is growing at such a rapid pace. Whether you want to admit it or not, unions play an important role in helping to set average wages for certain jobs. I can agree that some unions have become too greedy and political, but I think they are still important. They also help employees with legal battles with employers, many of which would not be able to afford counsel otherwise.

 

[Moot]

Honey please read my original post, consulting is my job now, which I never would have gotten to staying in a union. Unions are for people that can't speak or think for themselves.

Dude, I ain't your honey and your OP was misleading to say the least. You claimed the union kept you from moving on and that is a lie as you keep proving with every post you make. It's not the unions fault that you couldn't think or speak for yourself and there is serious doubt whether you can now.

 

[Rocketman]

Dude, I ain't your honey and your OP was misleading to say the least. You claimed the union kept you from moving on and that is a lie as you keep proving with every post you make. It's not the unions fault that you couldn't think or speak for yourself and there is serious doubt whether you can now.

It is obvious your reading skills are lacking honey, my first post says early 80's when I was in the unions. It was clear, please focus.

 

[Moot]

It is obvious your reading skills are lacking honey, my first post says early 80's when I was in the unions. It was clear, please focus.

Hunny bunny, my reading skills are just fine, can't say much for your thinking skills though. You said you were working at a low skill union job for a tire company in the 80s and now you're saying you're a high paid consultant for coal and gas. Do tell how the labor union kept you from getting a job as a high paid consultant years after the fact?

 

[Surtr]

Looks like a good argument for minimum wage.

The job I just got is non-union. Full medical and pay started at 14 dollars an hour. I'll be making 20 dollars an hour in under a year. Non-union pays better, and gives better benefits.

 

[Rocketman]

Hunny bunny, my reading skills are just fine, can't say much for your thinking skills though. You said you were working at a low skill union job for a tire company in the 80s and now you're saying you're a high paid consultant for coal and gas. Do tell how the labor union kept you from getting a job as a high paid consultant years after the fact?

Never stated that either, when will you start reading for real honey? I never said low skill, where did you get that? Union jobs keep people down, the group think always prevails.

 

[whysoserious]

I belonged to a union in the past. I had no real opinion on it then and didn't pay much attention to it.

My current career does not have a union.

 

[ChrisL]

Never stated that either, when will you start reading for real honey? I never said low skill, where did you get that? Union jobs keep people down, the group think always prevails.

Again, that depends on your skill level and what industry you're in. Some people are not destined to be more than "ditch diggers," so for them, the union is a good deal with fair pay and good benefits. :shrug:

 

[Μολὼν λαβέ]

Looks like a good argument for minimum wage.

Especially if you only have a high school diploma or less formal education.

 

[ChrisL]

I think it depends on whether a person is willing to be paid according to their performance. If everyone was paid according to their individual contribution to the bottom line, we would not be in the shape we are in.

What private company is going to pay a ditch digger $27.00 an hour PLUS benefits?

 

[Rocketman]

Again, that depends on your skill level and what industry you're in. Some people are not destined to be more than "ditch diggers," so for them, the union is a good deal with fair pay and good benefits. :shrug:

In the real world, ditch diggers should not be paid $30/hour with benefits

 

[ChrisL]

In the real world, ditch diggers should not be paid $30/hour with benefits

Why not? They work hard and their bodies take a lot of abuse. Are you saying that ditch diggers are NOT important and therefore do not deserve a competitive wage just because they aren't "white collar" workers? REALLY?

 

[whysoserious]

Why not? They work hard and their bodies take a lot of abuse. Are you saying that ditch diggers are NOT important and therefore do not deserve a competitive wage just because they aren't "white collar" workers? REALLY?

There is a rather large group of people who think the janitor down the hall is really useless and doesn't deserve to have healthcare or the ability to not worry how he/she is going to pay the next bill.

 

[Rocketman]

Why not? They work hard and their bodies take a lot of abuse. Are you saying that ditch diggers are NOT important and therefore do not deserve a competitive wage just because they aren't "white collar" workers? REALLY?

Yes, if you had any business sense you would as well. Your thinking is why industry is leaving this country. Competitive wage does not mean $30/hour. If ditch digging is the best you can do, then a second job might be in order. I worked two jobs back in the 80's, why shouldn't this ditch digger?

 

[Rocketman]

There is a rather large group of people who think the janitor down the hall is really useless and doesn't deserve to have healthcare or the ability to not worry how he/she is going to pay the next bill.

I was a janitor while in college, it paid for my tuition and books, no issues.

 

[ChrisL]

Yes, if you had any business sense you would as well. Your thinking is why industry is leaving this country. Competitive wage does not mean $30/hour. If ditch digging is the best you can do, then a second job might be in order. I worked two jobs back in the 80's, why shouldn't this ditch digger?

Obviously you haven't read my posts. I am not a ditch digger. As a matter of fact, I am a medical transcriptionist and not a member of a union at all but I am considered a subcontractor.

But to get to the point, these workers are imperative to our infrastructure, and yes they are important and worth a good wage.

Sounds like you have an inflated sense of self importance to me.

 

[ChrisL]

I was a janitor while in college, it paid for my tuition and books, no issues.

I'd like to see you dig ditches for 8 hours a day in 90-degree weather and THEN tell me you aren't worth $27.00 an hour plus benefits. :lamo

 

[Rocketman]

Obviously you haven't read my posts. I am not a ditch digger. As a matter of fact, I am a medical transcriptionist and not a member of a union at all but I am considered a subcontractor.

But to get to the point, these workers are imperative to our infrastructure, and yes they are important and worth a good wage.

Sounds like you have an inflated sense of self importance to me.

Why would you say that? I have be a laborer and was paid. I lived within my means based on that level of pay. That is life my friend.

 

[whysoserious]

I'd like to see you dig ditches for 8 hours a day in 90-degree weather and THEN tell me you aren't worth $27.00 an hour plus benefits. :lamo

Not to mention, do it for 8 hours and then go work another job right after that. Plus, those guys don't work for 8 hours, they work 10-12 - often for no overtime.

 

[Rocketman]

I'd like to see you dig ditches for 8 hours a day in 90-degree weather and THEN tell me you aren't worth $27.00 an hour plus benefits. :lamo

I labored for a masonary company straight out of high school for less than 1/2 that amount. Leaving the house at 3:30 am and getting home at 7pm on the jobs that were not local.

12" blocks and bond beams, pouring concrete out of 5 gallon buckets. That job had no benefits, I purchased my own health insurance and got by just fine.

 

[Rocketman]

Not to mention, do it for 8 hours and then go work another job right after that. Plus, those guys don't work for 8 hours, they work 10-12 - often for no overtime.

We have enabled a weak society that is not used to work, evidence posted above.