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by tem123 from Derry, NH

Last Post 28 days, 2 hours Ago


Are unions necessary today?
Feb 10, 2008 | 1:14 PM
Category: Political
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     A couple of days ago I got the proposed changes in my section at work.  On my tour, they are eliminating four expeditor positions and reposting my job...but since I'm one of the junior expeditors, I will end up as an unassigned regular.  So in the postal facility that I work, I will become a management whipping boy sort of speak.  They can and probably will move me around like a casual or a flexable employee. Other than money raising machines for political campaigns, what good are unions in today's economy.  I really don't see much that unions do in the actual protecting jobs or improving working conditions...but just as money raising machines to keep the ineffective politicians in office.  Ironically as these changes will happen, we are going up a level in pay but the union will extract their share too...just like a government entity will grab a portion of the raise too.  So if unions are generally ineffective in improving working conditions and protecting jobs, then what good are they in today's world?
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Member Comments Total Comments: 17
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Hittokiri_korru read my blog view my photos
Feb 11, 2008 | 9:37 PM

Unions allow the voice of the worker and common man to be heard. Take a look at the writers strike, the companies aren't paying the writers for writers for online and DVD sales so the writers will strike until they do. Without unions every company can treat their employees as bad as they do at Walmart.
Clancy2525 read my blog
Feb 12, 2008 | 6:48 AM

Sorry about what's happening to you. Are unions necessary today? You bet they are, and we need more of them. Yes, some of the things my union does may fry my butt, but overall I would not do my job , and feel safe doing it, without a union. Without your union, they could have just sent you out the door. You still have a job, just not one you're fond of right now. I am guessing, you haven't worked at your current job for too many years. Am I right on this? The longer you work somewhere, the more you notice all a union does for people.
hdrider read my blog
Feb 12, 2008 | 7:38 AM

One question: Do you still have a JOB? Without that UNION, sounds to me like you would be out of a job. Did they cut you're pay?
osbnut read my blog
Feb 12, 2008 | 8:25 AM

Is the union good well its up to you and your work history. I'm in a union pay my dues what have they done for me nothing. Were I work we have been with out a contract for over 6 years.But yet I still pay my dues. I think what I could do with the money I pay in The bank would be a great place in my eyes. But to keep my job I have to pay them. If I didn't the union would have me fired.No mater how well I do my job. So you ask who looks out for who. Here is a web site that mite help you. unionFACTS.com
girlscout read my blog view my photos
Feb 12, 2008 | 9:46 AM

For more union pros and cons, go back in the archives of these blogs. We have had many discussions on Unions in the past.
Kalayna read my blog
Feb 13, 2008 | 6:31 PM

Unions and Union reps are very important, so many times in big corporations mistakes are made and people are promoted with out postings as favors from uppe4r management, unions go to bat for the single employee if needed to make sure that things are handled right.
Thank you Unions
tem123 read my blog
Feb 14, 2008 | 8:28 AM

Well, your comments are somewhat heplful, however, when you go and do your very best and then you have people that choose not to do their best or not go to work at all, there is something wrong with the whole system. Sometimes, you feel like the union protects those that glides along and doesn't care about those who goes to work and does what is expected of them.
TheShadowKnows read my blog view my photos
Feb 14, 2008 | 4:16 PM

tem123
Feb 14, 2008 | 8:28 AM Well, your comments are somewhat heplful, however, when you go and do your very best and then you have people that choose not to do their best or not go to work at all, there is something wrong with the whole system. Sometimes, you feel like the union protects those that glides along and doesn't care about those who goes to work and does what is expected of them.Tem123

In general what most unions do is attempt to reduce all members to the same level. For instance, don't do more work than the poorest worker because it makes them look bad.
I got a "merit" raise once. And when it came time for our step raise, I didn't get it. When I asked my supervisor about it he said to see my shop stewart. The shop stewart told me that I could not earn more than my fellow co-workers there fore I didn't get the step raise. Union rules! Did I continue working hard enough tp earn another "merit" raise? Hell no. There was no point.
startmeup read my blog view my photos
Feb 15, 2008 | 12:52 PM

Shadow,
"reduce all members to the same level."
That almost sounds Communistic.
Hmmm!
TheShadowKnows read my blog view my photos
Feb 15, 2008 | 1:33 PM

startmeup
Feb 15, 2008 | 12:52 PM Shadow,
"reduce all members to the same level."
That almost sounds Communistic.
Hmmm!

Well, Comrade, it at least socialistic. Why do you think that unions are so blatantly courted by the Democrats?
Do you want to earn REALLY GOOD MONEY? I'll give you a hint. Work FOR the union as a Union Rep. Not as a voted in shop stewart but as an employee of the union itself. As with any other organization, the administration gets the most gravy.
TheShadowKnows read my blog view my photos
Feb 15, 2008 | 1:44 PM

Hittokiri_korru
Feb 11, 2008 | 9:37 PM Unions allow the voice of the worker and common man to be heard. Take a look at the writers strike, the companies aren't paying the writers for writers for online and DVD sales so the writers will strike until they do. Without unions every company can treat their employees as bad as they do at Walmart.

The only problem with that is what the writers(or union members in general) lost in income during the strike. There was a major business loss for the companies involved and I heard an economist on TV say that the total cost to the various communities is in the billions of dollars in losses.
I once heard the President of the Local Steelworkers Union say that they would bring Kaiser Steel in Fontana, California to it's knees. Well, they DID! Kaiser Steel went out of business and closed it's doors. And the steel workers lost completely their $28.00 per hour and thirteen weeks vacation per year jobs.

You should have heard them cry when some of them started with my company at $6.50 an hour.

And why did they go on strike? No one knew for sure.
looneysinger read my blog
Feb 15, 2008 | 5:15 PM

yes the union i feel is necessary! where i worked my job was out-sourced and my pay was cut and i lost all my benefits! i have nothing now! no health ins. i go to a health clinic for help. i am out of work and have no job! we can thank reagan for ruining our country and the unions! he was the worst prez besides george sr and george jr.! if we get obama you better hold on to your pants the ride is for 4 years and it will get worse with someone who does not respect the american flag proudly! i hope he does not get in!
TheShadowKnows read my blog view my photos
Feb 15, 2008 | 10:16 PM

looneysinger
Feb 15, 2008 | 5:15 PM yes the union i feel is necessary! where i worked my job was out-sourced and my pay was cut and i lost all my benefits! i have nothing now! no health ins. i go to a health clinic for help. i am out of work and have no job! we can thank reagan for ruining our country and the unions! he was the worst prez besides george sr and george jr.! if we get obama you better hold on to your pants the ride is for 4 years and it will get worse with someone who does not respect the american flag proudly! i hope he does not get in!


You should talk to Snicker.
coffeecup30 read my blog view my photos
Feb 16, 2008 | 11:20 PM

I'm glad I don't work in a union shop. All experience I've had with unions in the past is that they protect the lazy workers. I feel that if I put in an honest days work, I will be rewared accordingly.
My fiance worked for a printing company for 26 years, the plant was sold and he was out of a job. He got 300 hrs severance pay and was out the door. He paid union dues for those 26 years, and what did he get in return??? NOTHING! So what do the unions actually do for the average hard working man? Like I said, I'm glad I don't work with a union, my money is better off in my pocket...
TheShadowKnows read my blog view my photos
Feb 17, 2008 | 10:14 AM

coffeecup30
Feb 16, 2008 | 11:20 PM I'm glad I don't work in a union shop. All experience I've had with unions in the past is that they protect the lazy workers. I feel that if I put in an honest days work, I will be rewared accordingly.
My fiance worked for a printing company for 26 years, the plant was sold and he was out of a job. He got 300 hrs severance pay and was out the door. He paid union dues for those 26 years, and what did he get in return??? NOTHING! So what do the unions actually do for the average hard working man? Like I said, I'm glad I don't work with a union, my money is better off in my pocket...

Yes, that does sometimes happen. One thing though that you can take to the bank. The union leaders such as the local union President and others in the top administration did get their cut of the plant sale. Staunch Democrats, everyone of them!
coffeecup30 read my blog view my photos
Feb 17, 2008 | 12:59 PM

Absolutely Shadow, well said!!
tem123 read my blog
Feb 18, 2008 | 11:24 AM

I think that TheShadowKnows generally agrees with me to a point. I have same of the same issues with the union that he brought up, however, when you look at the big picture then it becomes clear. I noticed in a newspaper over the weekend that the letter carriers have endorced Sen. Clinton. Guess my union, the APWU, cannot be far behind in endorcing the same person. Yes, that is one of the main problems I have with the union...the leadership endorces a candidate that at least half of the rank and file will not vote for.
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tem123

I was born and raised in Ohio and graduated from Ashland High School. I'm a big Cleveland sports fan as well as the Columbus Blue Jackets. I keep up with the Indians and the Cavs on WTAM. I also love reading online newspapers as that is the main way I keep up with what is going on in Ohio. I am a conservative that relies on websites like the Ashbrook Center and talk radio to get most of my news of the day. I live in Derry, NH; and work at a postal facility in Nashua, NH. I go to Manchester, Providence, Pawtucket, and Portland, Maine; to watch minor league baseball and hockey to relax and to see the future major league baseball or hockey players.

Member Since: 2/4/2008


 

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