Who Belongs to the Union?Hannity, Limbaugh, and O'Reilly...

[scooterbug44]

I think that historically unions made it safer for workers and got them better working conditions & pay, but that over the years their role has shifted.

Bureaucracy/politics has done for the unions what it has also done for corporations and the government - made them hemorrhage money, waste time and resources, protect the incompetent, stifle creative and achievement, and cripple efficiency.

Where we used to have a need for unions, we now have regulations, laws, 24/7 media, and an effective court & legal system.

I visited a factory once where they had both a union area and a non-union area. It was really stupid - the only difference was that one was union and the other wasn't but the door in between had to stay closed and the employees couldn't go near it.

 

[poppy]

I think that historically unions made it safer for workers and got them better working conditions & pay, but that over the years their role has shifted.

Bureaucracy/politics has done for the unions what it has also done for corporations and the government - made them hemorrhage money, waste time and resources, protect the incompetent, stifle creative and achievement, and cripple efficiency.

Where we used to have a need for unions, we now have regulations, laws, 24/7 media, and an effective court & legal system.

I visited a factory once where they had both a union area and a non-union area. It was really stupid - the only difference was that one was union and the other wasn't but the door in between had to stay closed and the employees couldn't go near it.

I hear this all the time "we don't need unions now, we have regulations". Well just watch what happens to workers rights after the Republicans help corporate America bust the unions, we'll think we are back in the 30's.

 

[30ashopper]

I hear this all the time "we don't need unions now, we have regulations". Well just watch what happens to workers rights after the Republicans help corporate America bust the unions, we'll think we are back in the 30's.

I still see a role for organizations that represent workers. But the power they have is based on laws passed 60 years ago. No organization is above corruption and abuse of power. If you want unions to stick around to represent workers, you might want to consider getting involved in the reform initiative.

 

[Matt J]

I hear this all the time "we don't need unions now, we have regulations". Well just watch what happens to workers rights after the Republicans help corporate America bust the unions, we'll think we are back in the 30's.

Funny since the same group that's fighting unions is railing against regulation. Why don't the democrats just stand up and state the obvious "The GOP is taking your rights".

I still see a role for organizations that represent workers. But the power they have is based on laws passed 60 years ago. No organization is above corruption and abuse of power. If you want unions to stick around to represent workers, you might want to consider getting involved in the reform initiative.

You say reform, the GOP here's repeal.

 

[LuciferSam]

No, what you are stating is pure BS. Conservatives are railing against unions, all unions and how they are responsible for the ills of industry in this country. They speak of how unions increase the cost of goods and affect the price of our exports putting us at a disadvantage in the global economy. Let Hannity and the rest expose the damage their own union is doing to our country. You're right I don't know TV but could it be there is no story because they like their union since maybe it only sets a minimum wage scale for the lowest paid workers and mimimum appearance fees but leaves them the freedom to bargain wages and benefits without limits. There are many liberals with a wide audience on TV but their viewers appreciate the more straight forward delivery and less of the National Enquirer type format of current events.

I might disagree with some liberal idelogy, but I never have to worry that they're going to try to mislead me when it comes to the facts surrounding a news story. With conservatives, the word "disagreement" doesn't even apply much of the time. They flat out lie seemingly unaware of the fact checking tools at everyone's disposal.

 

[scooterbug44]

I hear this all the time "we don't need unions now, we have regulations". Well just watch what happens to workers rights after the Republicans help corporate America bust the unions, we'll think we are back in the 30's.

Those regulations you scoff at are what currently protect the 90% of the workforce that is not union.

Changing those will be a hard political sell.

 

[Bob Wells]

Those regulations you scoff at are what currently protect the 90% of the workforce that is not union.

Changing those will be a hard political sell.

Actually, those regulations would be harder to enforce and maintain if Unions were not acting as the watchdog for them.

 

[poppy]

Actually, those regulations would be harder to enforce and maintain if Unions were not acting as the watchdog for them.

You're correct Bob, and workers across the country can thank unions for the majority of the regulations protecting them.

 

[idlewind]

I have no problem with groups of employees organizing and as a group negotiating for wages and benefits and working condidtions. What I have a problem with are closed shops and the inability of mamagement to hire whomever they want. I also think management should have the ability to replace striking workers with whoever they wish. Balance is the key.

 

[Bob Wells]

I have no problem with groups of employees organizing and as a group negotiating for wages and benefits and working condidtions. What I have a problem with are closed shops and the inability of mamagement to hire whomever they want. I also think management should have the ability to replace striking workers with whoever they wish. Balance is the key.

How is that balance? If a group or state or legislative body is able to get a law passed that allows closed shops then so be it. Likewise even closed shops does not necessarily mean that management can't hire an employee, what it does mean is the hired individual would have to join the Union. Also, in many cases replacing striking workers with ahem non union workers, well what if management provoked the strike to do just that. Just saying.