LABOR UNIONS:Support or Nuisance?What makes you agree or be against it?(from what perspective r u coming frm)?

Question

In highly industrialized countries, are there still even ACTIVE labor unions (I mean, what kind of protests do workers from highly modernized countries call for)?

Labor unions and protests carried out by worker unions are commonplace in our country. Supposedly, employees and workers' rights are upheld through worker unions and yet some employees detest unions. Why do you think this happens? But still many are joining worker unions and protest on the streets. Who are likely to join and STAY in worker unions?

Answer 1

There is still a need for labor unions in the world. The U.S.A. included. Until all companies are forced to adopt the rules governing economics that John Nash revised, and stop going by the rules that Adam Smith wrote 200 years ago. We'll need labor unions to see that the employees that give a company their all, are not exploited.

I recall President Ronald Reagan proudly pointing to Poland and it's Labor movement in full support. Then having Military Air-Traffic controllers cross picket lines when air-traffic controllers went out on strike due to the long hours (very dangerous to people flying) they were made to work. The controllers eventually lost most of their jobs. So it sent the signal to companies across the board... "we can destroy the unions".

Some employees detest unions because they are willing to accept any bone thrown to the dog. Anyone with a sense of self-respect that wishes to have "gainful" employment would support unions and stay that way. It's when government interference gives companies the upper hand that causes people of this nature to be forced out for the sake of self-preservation.

It has become common practice for companies to move to other countries to exploit workers in an environment that allows them to get away with it. This practice can be stopped anytime our own government wants to do so. All they have to do is simply pass a law prohibiting the sale or import of any items produced by such a company in the U.S.A. But that won't happen because too many politicians have companies themselves, or count on large campaign contributions from them.

Answer 2

Unions have a good side and a bad side. Good points and bad points. Unions will stand for you when it comes to workers safety. Go into a non-union factory and complain about a safety issue you are just gonna be shown the door with a "Dont like it? Your fired" attitude. In a union factory its harder for a company to get away with safety violations.
On the other hand, when working union most of the time everyone is paid the same. You can be a very motivated go-getter who busts your butt everyday on the job to do the best you can and standing next to you is some ******** who always goofs off, does the minimumn required of him and yet you both get paid exactly the same. Here you are carrying him yet hes getting paid what you get paid.
Thats just a few examples. Its really a give and take thing.

Answer 3

I am definately agains unions. Unions were created for workers to have fair compensation, and fair treatment. If employers didn't pay their employees well enough or treated them well the would strike. That was great, but then the goverment created laws, minumum wage, disability, overtime. After these laws were created there was little or no need for unions, unfortunately the unions became so strong that they held more power than many companies. With a one word, and entire company can be shut down until the unions demands are met. This results, in wages higher than what a market normally allow. They way our system is set up is such that number of people able and willing to do a job will directly effect how much it pays.

For example if 100 out of 100 are willing to do, or able to do a job it will pay less than if only 30 out of 100 are willing to or able to do the job. Lawyers for the most part make more than a receptionist, not because they are more important, but there is a smaller pool of candidates to choose from, they need 7 years of schooling after high school as opposed to none, and the skill set is more demanding than being a receptionist. It is simple supply and demand.

The other example is a lifeguard makes less than a garbage man. This time it is because although like the lawyer, the lifeguard need more training the garbage man less people want to be a garbage man, who would rather smell like trash than sit on the beach being a lifeguard. So the wage for garbage men goes up to compensate for the unpleasant workplace, while the wage for the lifeguard goes down for having such an enjoyable workplace.

This is how our system works, unions throw a wrench into that. Certain fields, construction(including plumbers and electricians), and manufacturing jobs(including auto) are large union jobs. They are probably overpaid for their jobs, yes these jobs do require skills and are laborous, but not equal to what they get paid. There are people(no immigrants) willing to do these jobs for less but can't because unions block them. If you are a small construction company and want to build in certain area and use non-union labor, particulary the North East, you will be picketed, by unions. Thus forcing you to hire union labor, which costs more, and leaving non-union employees on the unemployment line.

To answer the final part of your question, people want to join and stay in unions because they make more money.

Answer 4

One does not "choose" to join a union - if you work in a given field you must or you will not be paid the same wage or granted the same benefits. Unions did serve a purpose once but I feel they are going the way of the dinosaur. With new options available for business to obtain benefits and save their employees money and the scrutiny labor leaders have come under the past few years I believe there will be fewer in the USA at least over the next 10 years and in 20 or so they may not exist at all. They served their purpose to prove the value of the labor force - they no longer have as much power or backing.

Answer 5

Except those very few unions that organize in jobs/industries with safety risks (mining, steelworking, etc) unions are largely unnecessary and wise management will be generous and benevolent toward the workers so as to show that lack of necessity. Stupid or cheap management will not do this and will precipitate organization activities. Outside risky occupations, organizing is largely evil, motivated by greed and not safety. See, e.g. teachers, sanitation workers, hospitality workers, transit. While the amalgamation of worker interests might serve the union members in the short run, there is a loss of control that many employees will not want to give up, especially those disinclined toward greed.

Who is likely to join & stay? Workers in risky occupations. Outside risky jobs, the lesser skilled, the greedy, those more prone to violence, those with an entitlement mindset, those easily manipulated by organizers and union bosses.

Answer 6

My husband is in a union in the US. There are no union protests here. It is not necessary for unions to protest here because they have political power and can influence elections. Of course the big companies have more influence, but in some areas, you won't be elected if you ignore the unions. Unions are seen as a great benefit for the workers because they get higher pay and health insurance, retirement benefits, etc. The one thing I would say is bad about the unions is that they make people kinda lazy. My husband used to work quickly, when he joined the union everybody told him to slow down so that everybody would make more money.

Answer 7

Being that unions where started to grant worker safety and "rights", I believe that organizations such as OSHA and ACLU have mostly made them redundant. I am not nor ever have been in a union, but I have worked with them and among them in companies designing and implementing automated equipment. I have to question some of the workers as to whom they feel they work for, the company that employs them or their union. That mentality of the few is what makes some union members dislike being part of it. They can see that what is in the best interest of the company, and their job, is not in the union agenda.

Answer 8

Money is power and corporate $$ is very big power And without unions , corporations treat the workers like kleenex. The reason there is dissenting in the union is the same as any organization, church or government. People have conflicting ideas about what the best way to achieve things is. Some believe in long slow negotiations (like US Congress) and others are for more immediate action like striking. Some issues like changes in benefits may allow time to negotiate but Some issues , like worker safety (many workers die on the job) are more immediate & may involve company bad practices because the company is greedy. Ultimately, unions are the only reason people are no longer chained to their work machines for 12 hours (like they did in USA) and that they are getting some of the $$ they actually create . . . instead of the corporate robber barrons taking 99%. In California there are a number of strong unions including the Port workers (Longshoremen), Commercial Electricians (IBEW), Airline workers (pilots, mechanics etc), commercial building maintenance engineers (Stationary Engineers) and many more of the essential, high skilled labors. As it often takes at least 4 years to attain a journeyman skill level, they have more power when the companies try to shaft them.