is the point of unions just to seek high wages for blue collar h.s. drop outs?

Question

who would be working for the minimum wage they're actually worth if they weren't unionized?

My question is stated in the present tense, I don't need to read about historic reasons for Unions, thanks!!

Answer 1

No actually they are there to collect their dues from the workers.

So they can get richer.

That and fight for the lazy asses who cant do their job right.

Answer 2

I think you're forgetting that unions aren't easy to get into. You need to have some actual talent to get in and stay in one. The point of a union is to ensure that the work being done is done by qualified people. Would you want a random guy off the street to build your house or would you rather have a union carpenter? Most union workers aren't high school dropouts. Ask your friendly neighborhood policeman or the nurse that treats you at the hospital if they dropped out of high school. Unions are there to ensure that working conditions are good, they're making a fair wage, and the people in the union are properly educated in their field.

Answer 3

At one time unions were necessary for much of the same reasons that exist today. That is a small class of property owners exploited tha masses. However now the main beneficiaries today are the union leaders and the working man gets very little benefit but must charge higher prices to pay his union dues. Human nature being what it is allows many non-productive people to hide under this umbrella, many of whom do not have the intelligence to see what they are paying in the long run

Answer 4

I'm a university graduate who works at a crappy, unionized job in the summer. I get paid three times the minimum wage for customer service work. I work my butt off because I want to actually EARN that high salary, but most of my coworkers sit on their butts and do nothing. Unions need to strike a balance between seniority and performance when determining pay rates.

Answer 5

Absolutely!

Unions became popular in the U.S. when there weren't any Federal or state laws requiring basic worker rights, benefits and pay. However, since we have those laws on the books, unions are around to make sure that we're paying $40/hour to a line worker at GM when he should be making $20.

Of course, the unions and their ilk will argue that they need "living wages" or that Joe Worker can't afford anything on $20/hour. I say tough s**t!

Answer 6

Honey not all blue collar workers are high school drop outs. I worked in a factory for 10 years and there were many employed there with college degrees. Many could have been teachers but due to teachers not being paid well enough, they were working at the factory. I have some college under my belt too, just not a degree. I guess I really didn't answer your question, but I did want to defend the blue collar workers.

Answer 7

It depends on what the union is and what it is fighting.

Yes, they help keep wages up, but they also help keep safety factors
and other benefits up. When the employer has all the power and
people are desperate for work, you get good people working for
virtually nothing with no benefits.

Your question makes the assumption that anybody can get a better job
if they just try harder - and that isn't always true.

Answer 8

Unions had good intentions back in the day, however, now they are out of control (my personal opinion) with their demands now a days. Agreements made years ago is the reason why you see GM and Ford, and Delphi employees losing their jobs. The point of unions is to negotiate contract relating to wages, benefits and work environment that is a win-win for both employee and employer.

Answer 9

They are not all H.S. drop outs....nurses, firefighters and policemen all belong to unions, all the major trades have unions, teachers have unions
Yeas a decent living wage is one reason
Health and welfare benefits are another, you may have a golden spoon in your mouth, but many many people can't afford to go to a Doctor.
Working conditions are another reason.
You don't get it do you? Are you related to Sam Walton? You sure sound like it.

Answer 10

LOL...you might be right, but I think it is more about workers sticking together to make sure they are being treated fair (wages and benefits). Why should the company get richer and richer at the expense of employees? Unions prevent this activity.

Answer 11

Personally, I think we could afford to pay them even more money. Them and the variety of immigrants(legal and otherwise), who work the various menial "blue collar" and "no collar" type jobs. If it weren't for them and their hard work and determination, none of the higher ups could afford to live the lifestyle we live.

Do factory work for a year, then come whine.