Are unions keeping the US from being viable competitors in overseas markets?
2006-09-21 13:51:42 · 6 answers · asked by Lisa 6 in Business & Finance ➔ Corporations
Unions are one factor. But it isn't the union itself; it's the belief that wages should rise above real levels that the marketplace will bear. The union officers who run for election always spread bad news among the workers to make them angry, offer them a solution, and ask for votes.
When a union understands the realities of the business environment, it can ask for proper compensation instead of simply demanding more and more until the whole thing goes down the tubes. Independant unions are better at this than the AFL-CIO, which has some corruption problems that hurt its credibility (I say that because I have suffered their corruption and am prepared to prove it if they see this and send their lawyers after me again).
Keep in mind that government workers are unionized at a much higher rate; unions still exert some influence in Washington, but certainly less than in the seventies.
It's a competitive world. It also changes fast, so get used to industries coming and going.
2006-09-21 14:28:43 · answer #1 · answered by n0witrytobeamused 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, Unions only make up about 14%of the labor force. High cost of living demands higher wages which inturn creates an economy that alows foriegn cheap competitors into the market. The US has and is moving from a manufacturing economy to a service economy (banking, etc...). This is the future model for an advanced economy.
2006-09-21 14:02:52 · answer #2 · answered by Michael S 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Unions have been losing strength for years. They are not a major factor in any markets, as far as I know. Even the commercial pilots union--one of the strongest in the 90's--has little power today.
2006-09-21 14:01:50 · answer #3 · answered by Speedy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. Higher wages in the US (by union and nonunion employers) keep the US from being competitive in the manufacture of clothing and other textiles, but the US is competitive in auto manufacturing (union and nonunion plants alike).
2006-09-21 13:55:12 · answer #4 · answered by Dwight D J 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Possibly. But...
American workers are entitled to a living wage and decent working conditions. The manufacturing industry is suffering from the government's refusal to protect it with tarriffs.
The American consumer should be DENIED the choice of buying from desperate foreigners for less. If they must be forced at gunpoint to keep the money and the jobs here, so be it.
2006-09-21 14:03:07 · answer #5 · answered by Rochester 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Certainly. They are forcing manufacturing plants to pay wages that are higher then our counterparts for similar tasks.
2006-09-21 13:59:26 · answer #6 · answered by Pauly 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋