I am far from brain washed. Did you not read what I wrote about conditions in DE? No representation means you are at the will of the company. I have worked in both unionized and non union jobs. I would rather have someone who is going to look out for my interests. Because it damn sure is not going to be who I work for. I'll give you that the grievance process is sometimes used to bail out screw-ups, but what about those who are not screw ups and are targeted my management? Who looks out for these people? Hmmm?
IMO that mindset is what makes unions so powerful. People believe they NEED a union to protect from them the big bad employers. 99% of the time if you show up on time, do your job well, and help the company prosper you will do well right along with them. Businesses need good employees to be successful just as much as employees need businesses so they can get paid. You don't need the union to protect your job. If you make yourself a valuable asset to the company, you create your own protection. And if you find yourself in a position you don't like where you feel underappreciated, you go elsewhere. All too often you find people hiding behind the unions simply because of job security and the "they can't fire me" mentality. As soon as you get complacent and don't worry about losing your job, that's when you start to slack off.
I've worked 16 years with no representation including a couple of "at will" states. I've never had one problem. If you do what you get paid to do well there should never be a problem. The fear that you could just get fired for no reason at all is bogus. There are still progressive guidlines that have to be met in "at will" states. If you have worked for non-unionized companies that did not look out for you interests then you have worked for the wrong companies.
I have seen it happen all too often. If you don't suck up to or kiss the *** of the supervisor, you are labeled a "problem". And they do everthing they can to get rid of the 'problem". Every little thing is scrutinized, stuff that management would generally let go if you are someone else gets brought to the forefront. And especially with the job market the way it is today, many people heve to put up with this B.S. to make ends meet. All I'm saying is I would rather have a union looking out for my interests. For those of you that don't have to worry about this, good for you. But you need to realize that this is not the way all companies are run.
Having worked for GM 6 years I know what you are saying, but remember there is a lot of bad history between big three and UAW. It's one of the things I was shocked by when I worked for GM out of college. As for grievences, I had plenty filed against me, LOL My favorite was I was taking some PC's out to the repair line, some yelled at me walking down the line, "Hey you do not look like a millright" I replied "Yeah I am working" Note I was 25 and my Dad and two uncles worked in the plant, so I could get away with it, even though I was Salary.
I never understood why only certain occupations had unions. Are you and your employment more important than some who is working in a non-union type job? Where's there representation that you speak of? How is it fair you get union representation and they do not? Unions are corrupt, and as much as they tell you they work on the behalf of their weakest member, they do not. They act on the behalf of strengthening the union at all costs.
And to confiscate money that they funnel to a certain political party and also to very highly paid union bosses. Top 10 Highest-Paid Union Bosses By Human Events Posted 07/17/2007 ET Reported by the U.S. Department of Labor 1. G. William Hunter Executive Director NBA Players Association Salary: $2,185,446 2. Eugene Upshaw Executive Director NFL Players Association Salary: $2,064,526 3. Donald M. Fehr Executive Director MLB Players Association Salary: $1,000,000 4. Jimmy Warren Financial Treasurer Steelworkers and AFL-CIO Salary: $825,262 5. Gregory J. Hessinger Chief Executive Officer Screen Actors Guild Salary: $803,399 6. Alan Eisenberg Executive Director Actors and Artists, AFL- CIO Branch Salary: $720,743 7. Jay Roth National Executive Director Directors Guild of America Salary: $686,673 8. Don Hunsucker President and CEO United Food and Commercial Workers Union Local 1288 Salary: $679,949 9. John McLean Executive Director Writers Guild, West Headquarters Salary: $650,402 10. Gerald McEntee President State, County & Municipal Workers Salary: $629,291
So that's where all my $$$$ in dues goes. I would have never known that if you did'nt say that. Now I understand. ......but seriously, we just had to clean house in our Union. As a matter of fact several of the higher ups are facing federal charges. Yes they can be corrupt unless the union body acts as a whole to get the criminals out. And even with the potential problems, I would still take a union over nothing.
I don't understand what "nothing" even means? As rancid said, as an employee, you have government regulation to have your back.
The unions are so bad, that people would rather have government to fall back on. Now thats saying something.
The government does suck. That is why I would rather have a union with all its flaws. Nothing means I have to rely on the government to protect me. Why in the hell would I want to do that? The same government who can't balance a budget, manage a state or country is going to protect me from unfair business practices. I don't think so. Who do you think paid to get these guys in office in the first place? I'll trust an organized union over organized crime any day. Now I know what you're going to say that the unions are just as bad. In some cases you are right. But I'm willing to take that chance.
I never said the government sucked, they are terrible financially, but they do a pretty good job at protecting their citizen, be if from foreign attacks, or poor work conditions. The government obviously serves a major roll in making our lives better. I'm pro government, just not what our government has become. The federal government continually oversteps it's bounds, infringing on personal liberties and states rights. Do I think many of the acts that the government have put into place to protect the American worker are good? Of coarse I do. Do I feel like the government over steps it's authority? Of coarse I do. I'm just saying that the protection a union offers, is no longer needed. Poor performers should be let go, better workers should be rewarded and promoted. Just because I guy has stood on a line and payed his union dues, but doesn't put out quality and quantity, shouldn't have a better change at getting a promotion or job change than a guy who's been working for 10 years, putting out quality and quantity.
All any of us have to to do is look around our houses and garages and see how much stuff we ourselves buy from other countries because of price. When it comes to feeding our families, putting aside for the future and our pursuit of happiness, I'm not looking for the union label. Unions have become like lawyers. It's not about right or wrong, it's about winning or losing. The proof is in the pudding.
Sky I know what you ment and I agree. Just a play more how some in the media and congress portray our Goverment. Please do not take it serious.
We all are entitled by the Constitution of the US to the pursuit of happiness. Are we not? I need to work to pursue deer, fish, turkeys, and anything else I wish to pursue. Don't get me wrong I'm not anti-government. For Christ's sake I work for the government. I'm just saying that it is broke and I don't think I can trust it to look out for Joe Public's intrests. There are not many politicians these days who came from humble beginnings. Most of them are spoiled rich kids who have nothing better to do than try to legislate the behavior of people they have never met.
