union brothers/sisters

J8k'S CRX · Post by **J8k'S CRX** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 5:55 am

laborer from local 110, it kept me feed,clothed,and warm for 20 years and money in my pocket for the last 3. wondering what you all think about the right to work issue were facing again. looking for younger perspectives i work with guys who have been in for awhile, wanna know whos gonna get out to vote, wonderin who cares at all. and looking to inform those unaware of the act. will effect all not just union members. this is big guys

fry · Post by **fry** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:33 pm

Unions are a joke and in todays world, completely useless. Let them fail

J.M.P · Post by **J.M.P** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:55 pm

I was in the Painters Union for 6yrs, I suppose I a still am. Haven't paid my card up in 2 years or so. After being laid off for 2 and half years the last time, I called it quits in the union world. Not worth being laid off all the time. So got out and started something different. Making a lot less money, a lot less, but more happy working all the time than being laid off.

Bwill9886 · Post by **Bwill9886** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:36 pm

fry;256647 wrote:Unions are a joke and in todays world, completely useless. Let them fail

While I will go along with you in saying that SOME (far too many) unions have shown themselves to be self-serving/corrupt/ineffective, I would never say that all of them are useless.

That's incredibly insulting to the ones that work. The concept of a union is still very important in today's work environment.

I know it can be easy to be disingenuous or disgusted with some union practices, but that's all the more reason to at least keep informed and (if you're able to be active) find better ways to hold them accountable.

It would be great if companies would treat and pay everyone fairly, but I'm sure you've seen that they can exemplify the same three characteristics I mentioned earlier about some unions.

Now with that said, J8k'S CRX I am guessing your concern lies with how the Right-to-Work issue will affect union membership and collective-bargaining?

While I do support unions, it seems odd that there should be policies or legislation that everyone must be a part of them. Shouldn't they WANT to join the union for their benefit?

Really the most effective way then to oppose the Right-to-Work issue really lies in the hands of the unions themselves. Do what you say you are going to do and minimize/eliminate corruption. Obviously there are going to be those that still might not want to join, but following the above rules they would be fewer in number and decrease the effect on collective bargaining.

Again, there are many unions that I'm sure do things right already. But as usual, some people try to ruin things for everyone else.

Please, if you have any more insight I would like to hear it.

getteg · Post by **getteg** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 8:24 pm

While I have never worked in a union I cant say that they seam all that great. Im sure they have their place in the work world, but I have seen to many of my friends and family get laid off time and time again leaving them to fight to keep their bills paid.

I dont know how many of the older guys in the unions do side jobs, but I know there are always younger union workers looking for side work wether they are laid off or not. I hear everyone always preaching unions are the greatest, but I just dont see it.

Thatoneguy · Post by **Thatoneguy** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 9:42 pm

I disagree with the topic. I think unions are a good thing. I'm 777 auto and last year I was able to collect disability while out of work due to injuries. If this were to become a reality I would stay with the union. Good benefits, and my particular union helps out pretty good.

J8k'S CRX · Post by **J8k'S CRX** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:32 pm

its not about what the locals and trades do its what the working class citizen does. i make 27 and hour on check not counting my benefits package. its a good wage, but will we last at a wage as low as 12 bucks? with no benefits? no not at all. does everything work right no, not in the least but neither does the american government. but we get shit built. as far as the lay off thats the nature of the game, you work till the jobs done if theres not another one then u wait. its called savings, unemployment, side work, fuck go work at mcd's if u have to,idk. and no one is forced to work union, unions benefit non union, there wages will drop too. fuck the bosses, and business men, its about the worker, its about surviving, its about not being pushed around by the damn suits cause they thinks were a bunch of uneducated men who dont deserve to make what we make. :angry9:

JustRob · Post by **JustRob** » Sat Feb 19, 2011 11:58 pm

fry;256647 wrote:Unions are a joke and in todays world, completely useless. Let them fail

This.

Bwill9886 · Post by **Bwill9886** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 1:26 am

getteg;256654 wrote:While I have never worked in a union I cant say that they seam all that great. Im sure they have their place in the work world, but I have seen to many of my friends and family get laid off time and time again leaving them to fight to keep their bills paid.

I dont know how many of the older guys in the unions do side jobs, but I know there are always younger union workers looking for side work wether they are laid off or not. I hear everyone always preaching unions are the greatest, but I just dont see it.

People being laid off because there is no more work to be done at a company is not the unions fault. A union can help with wages and proper treatment of workers, but if the company has nothing to produce, what can they do?

I think everyone can agree this aren't the best times for the job sectors that rely a lot of unions. While sometimes bad negotiations and such can lead to union workers being out of a job, you can't always blame that on just unions.

J8k'S CRX;256666 wrote:no one is forced to work union

This is not always true, given that there is a Right-to-Work issue being debated (and of course there are the horror stories of what happens to non-union members on occasion). However I would agree to a certain extent with your next point...

J8k'S CRX;256666 wrote:unions benefit non union, there wages will drop too.

Some of the figures are debatable about the extent union bargaining really affects non-union workers. It depends on the situation.

However, it has been proven too many times that workers who cannot dispute/discuss wages and rights with their employers usually end up getting the shaft. So we are definitely in agreement there.

J8k'S CRX · Post by **J8k'S CRX** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 3:50 am

while i know nothing about other trades, besides construction. i cant see how the cons out weigh the pros in any situation. treatment, wages, benifits, and in st louis work. unless u wear a suit and sit in an office i cant see any reason to pass any of it. people would have to b blind.