So me and my wife are on our way to the Domincan Republic for a week vacation. We take off from Boston at 1130 for miami, then to connect to punta cana. 20 minutes into our flight we have to divert to JFK in ny. " one of the chairs is loose" no big deal, we land and are supposed to be back in the air shortly. 30 minutes later we have to switch planes, making it tight to make our connection. Next there is a problem with the baggage gear, so 1 1/2 hour later we finally depart ny for miami. We miss our connection,and wait almost 3 hours to get to the counter to rebook and get our meal and hotel vouchers. We are lucky, 2 more planes that had " simlair problems" get in after us. The airline only had 2 agents working the counter to rebook and get there vouchers. There is no way they are getting out of there in less than 5 to 6 hours. We are flying american airlines, which has been having a work slowdown because of contract issues.
Sorry you've had so much trouble in your travels and have a safe trip home. That being said, the title caught my attention. There is always two sides, hence..contract talk. In my opinion the union is not the sole reason for your troubles. Its generally upper management or some lawyer trying to pad their pockets by cutting corners in safety procedure or by cutting a working man or woman's wages. They could be the reason they are or were short handed. I don't know the story behind American airlines negotiations, but it seems pretty funny to me that you sir are quick to point a finger at the union. I am a union power Lineman and we are in the middle of contract talks. We have not come to an agreement as of this time because they want to cut wages and more than triple what we pay for insurance. At the same time all of management received from 15 -25% pay raise. There is nothing wrong with wanting a fair wage. I am not trying to start a debate ..this just stirred me up a little. More than likely the better part of the blame falls on management for trying to screw one group or another out of more money for their own pockets. Just my 2 cents PROUD MEMBER OF IBEW LOCAL 53 Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
I understand the whole negotiation, everything is managements fault argument. But when your actions disrupt your customers you are on the wrong side. Since the slow down began this airline is running 48.5% on time, as opposed to normally 88% on time. Pissing off customers is not going to help your bargaining power, and will cost the company revenue that they will not have to pay your salary. I would bet that a majority of the people in line with me yesterday will not use this carrier again. Personally, i hope this airline gets liquidated. It is already in bankruptcy proceedings hence the labor contracts were thrown out by a judge.
Airlines are hitting the point that the auto industry did, unions partially to blame but not fully....they will have to raise prices substantially to make ends meet.
You hit the nail on the head. Part of this is mismanagement, similar to the auto industry. What bothers me is that the company is in Chapter 11 currently and trying to restructure costs, etc. and the Pilots want more money. One would think that the Union would work with Management to get through the Chapter 11 with a deal that would reward the Pilots later once things are heading upward
Unfortunately, it sounds like they don't care what condition the company is in, they just want more and don't care about the rest. Too many people think everything is only about them and the rest doesn't matter.
Yep. If unions are so great and know how to run companies so well why don't they start their own businesses and show us how it's done? None government businesses that is. The rest of us working class dogs have to deal with real world compitituon. We can't go crying back to our customers or employers whenever we want more money. And before someone go on about how hard union work is answer me why you never here of them ever quiting these jobs? It's there's one opening for fireman or pipe fitter you'll get 3,000 applications because these jobs are like winning the lottery for the lame. IMO
While I certainly agree with you that the union should work with management for the survival of the company it has to be a two way street. There is usually more to the story. http://blog.chron.com/lorensteffy/2...ges-reward-executives-for-workers-sacrifices/
Unions Making a Difference Unions are an essential part of a strong democracy and play a crucial role in America’s public and community life. Not only do they give workers a voice on the job and help negotiate fair benefits and wages for their members, but they also use their political and economic resources to raise the floor for everyone who works for a living. Unions, by fighting for higher standards for workers, businesses, families, the environment, and public health and safety, have helped to build the middle class and make sure the economy works for everyone. Unions Making a Difference for Everyone Unions benefit all of America’s workers and strengthen our communities. Unions today: Reinforce the middle class and lift up America’s communities. States with higher rates of unionization have lower rates of poverty, crime, and failing schools. Benefit local economic development. In partnerships with employers, community organizations, and local governments, unions have helped revitalize local economies by saving and expanding family-supporting jobs. Raise wages for all workers. Studies show that a large union presence in an industry or region can raise wages even for non-union workers. Fight for all workers’ health and safety. In 2008 the AFL-CIO and the United Food and Commercial Workers sued to get employers to provide personal protective equipment. Now, workers in hazardous jobs which require safety gear—like hard hats or protective glasses—must be provided this equipment, instead of being asked to buy it themselves. Advocate for increases in the minimum wage and push for living wage ordinances. Unions have been instrumental in efforts to increase the federal minimum wage, state minimum wages and in the successful living wage movement which has already resulted in over 150 local living wage laws nationwide. Reduce wage inequality. Unions raise wages the most for low- and middle-wage workers and workers without college degrees. Invest worker pension funds to rebuild communities In June 2006, the AFL-CIO launched the Gulf Coast Revitalization Program, a $1 billion housing and economic development program to create low- and moderate-income housing, a low-cost mortgage program, health facilities, job training services, and thousands of high-wage union jobs throughout the region. The Gulf Coast program builds on the success of similar AFL-CIO investment strategies to develop affordable housing in Chicago and to help New York City recover from the devastating terrorist attacks of September 11th. Union pension funds invested $750 million in post-9/11 New York. Are crucial in passing legislation benefiting all workers, including: Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007, providing an increase in the federal minimum wage. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, a comprehensive federal law ensuring safety in the workplace. Workers' compensation laws, giving workers injured on the job medical coverage and compensation for lost time. Mine safety laws strengthening mine safety standards and protecting the rights of mine workers. The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, creating the 40-hour work week and the first minimum wage. The Social Security Act of 1935, providing benefits to unemployed and retired workers. Union members: Earn higher wages. Union members earn 30% more than non-union workers. Have more training. Union workers are more likely to have access to formal, on-the-job training, making employees more skilled and adding to productivity. Have safer workplaces. Union workers are often better trained on health and safety rules and union workplaces are more likely to enforce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards. Are more likely to receive workers’ compensation. Union members also get their benefits faster, and return to work more quickly. When workers are injured, unions help workers through the often complicated process of filing for workers’ compensation and protect workers from employer retaliation. Have health insurance. Nearly 80% of unionized workers receive employer-provided health insurance, compared with 49% of non-union workers. Union members are also more likely to have short-term disability and life insurance coverage. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
Look at all the good the unions done. They alone have improved our foreign trade deficit by sending millions of jobs over seas or across the border to the south. OPS
We will just have to agree to disagree .. Unions are definitely a necessary evil. The jobs are being shipped overseas because they can pay 2-3 $ an hour as opposed to 25-30 here. Take away the unions here and see what your wages do. I know there is a real problem with government unions. I'm talking about private labor unions. I also know there are lazy *** people that give them a bad name ..it's a small percentage. To say it's a lottery for the lame...tell that to some of the firefighters and pipe fitters you know. Follow me around some day and see how lame or lazy i am or my crew. Maybe some day you'll get your wish and they will break us down, then if your a working man, it'll be for slave wages. Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
While im not out to bash a fellow lineman. I have had the chance of working with some union boys from a temp agency. All 5 just needed 3 months of work then go back to mailbox money as he put it. I havehave many union lineman friends that are good working people. Our company in non union. So we have our differences. We win bids because union companies cost alot more. I can see qhere the union benefits are better and there is some one there to speak for the working person. We could use a few in our company. Going union would belly up our company. I guess my point is. Its usually a double edged sword. Better money and working conditions for the guy who makes the product, in the end the additional costs dwindles down to the consumers. Example a guy in a auto factory gets paid way more than i do to put fenders on a car all day. Know what i mean. Again. Not out to offend.
Not offended at all ..double edge sword ...necessary evil. Not all unions are created equal. Stay safe Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2
It doesn't matter what the "management is paid", it also doesn't matter what the owners are making. If a union worker wants better pay because management makes a lot, go to school and then work your way up through management. When unions go to the bargaining table each time demanding more, it causes the final product to go up in price. Every time there is a price increase, that product grows closer and closer to being not cost effective to be built in America. Eventually, the job is outsourced and it's no one's fault but those who created the problem. Ask the union guys who USED to work for Maytag before it was vulnerable to hostile takeover and Whirlpool accomplished it. When Whirlpool bought out Maytag and closed it's home plants in Newton, Iowa and the Amana Plant in Eastern Iowa, it was because those plants were not cost effective. Unions were at one time necessary, but not now.
If management is doing a ****ty job and running the company into the ground all while still getting bonuses, raises, stock options, etc. then it certainly does matter what they are getting paid. Especially when they are asking the employees to sacrifice union employees or not. Job culture starts at the top and flows down to the lowest employee. When the culture is to reward incomptence by giving management rewards for poor performance why is it shocking when the employees demand the same? If someone thinks that unions are the sole reason manufacturing moved to china then they should do some research. A huge part of the cost of manufacturing is ecological safeguards. If a company can just dump poisonous run off into your local river it costs a whole lot less to make something than when they have to collect any toxins and process them safely. 50 years ago the Potomac river, the Hudson river, many of our nations rivers were to poisonous to swim in or eat fish out of and now you can. Now do just a tiny bit of research about china's rivers, china's environment and, while you are at it check out russia's too. I don't much care for unions and used to argue with my brother (teamster's union) and father (painter's) but to try and blame America's manufacturing decline solely on unions is ignorant. Unions certainly are one but are probably the least of the reason's manufacturing moved overseas.
