Why do conservatives hate unions?

Answer 1

They don't want to pay their employees any money or give them health benefits, the unions unite the workers and make it easier for them to negotiate a better contract, an employer is less likely to sacrifice their whole labor force for a contract issue, do you really like space ghost? I don't get it.

Answer 2

I don't speak for conservatives, just myself. Unions had a good purpose once upon a time. But IMHO they ruined the US buy causing much of the inflation and loss of jobs in the US we've had in the past 40 years.

The reason many jobs have gone overseas is not because US workers couldn't do the job, but because unions forced companies to pay higher wages they couldn't afford. They could go overseas and show a profit. If they didn't they died. Look how many jobs have been lost in the rust belt where Unions once were so powerful. The same type products are still being made today--Just not there.

IF Unions really want to help the American worker they will go overseas and raise the wages over there. Then the jobs will come back home.

Answer 3

The unions had a good reason for exist at one time and did much good; however, they are as much "big business" now as any corparotion. They are not as concerned with the "well being" of the workers or fair wages as they are with continueing the power of the union. The worst thing about the unions in the recent past is the political clout and money they provide in politics; the union does not listen to who the members want or desire ut have consistently funded the Democratic Party. In the 1980's President Reagan had the support of over 60% of union members but the funding from the unions went to the other candidate. Union leaders are not people who have worked their way up or know about the worker but are a very high percentage lawyers or business degreed people. The problem is that unions have beciome more involved with maintaining the pull and power they have then in the workers they repreent. You say a union bankrupting a business is the fault of the business; but what good is it to the workers to bankrupt the company and loss jobs? The UAW has represented Detroit into bankuptcy because the locl and state government and laws make it simple for them to do so and now the majority of Americans who are not union members are supposed to bail them out. The CEO's need to get pay cut drastically and the UAW should be forced to renegotiate the contracts they have and take cuts in both pay and benefits. The main reason for the high cost of living in much of that area is the extremely high wages of the auto worker and not the CEO, both have contracts and both should sacrifice. I do not have a problem with a union that is protecting the worker but I do not think that protecting the "union business" is my responsibility. It is often not noted that the newy built plants in the US in non-union areas are not having the major problems that the "Big Three" are and the workers from those plants arehappy and I know of no major complaints about how they are treated from the workers. No they do not make as much per hour but the cost of living is lower largely because of that. The term is inflationary wages-wages driving up the cost of living which makes the unions demand higher wages which leads to higher cost. Since about 75% of the US work force is non-union then business seems to largely deal fairly with them so using your line of reasoning let the Big Three and the UAW go down the tubes; maybe the auto makers will rebuild in other areas and the politicians and union leadership in Michigan can support each other. Why should the 75% pay for the 25%; if the union can't make a deal to allow the business to remain profitable and keep the members jobs why shoud I bail them out? Maye the UAW doesn't need to be in business.

Answer 4

I'm fairly conservative and I don't hate unions. Guess that blows the whole premise. Unions have themselves to blame. They have had well publicized problems with corruption, violence, and mob control going way back which certainly has not helped their image. Intimidation and their threatening ways have not helped. That is why union membership is at all time lows as reported a couple of weeks ago. Unions are a necessary tool and force to keep unscrupulous companies from taking advantage of worker rights. However, obviously, that message has been diluted by more responsible activity by business owners and a lot less effective input by the union bosses. In part, unions brought much of this on themselves.

Answer 5

Unions inflate labor costs and reduce corporate profits. Conservatives believe a pure market based economy provides the cheapest products and greatest profits, and labor unions work counter to a free market.
With profit the sole motive, Conservatives don't care that a free market will not operate within a tax based government without shifting the costs for those profits to taxpayer funded social services.
Liberals don't care that unions will drive jobs overseas where profit potential is greater, as the increase in goverment social services will enable them to decide what is best for us.
The government doesn't care if they have to provide more services, or if jobs are out-sourced. More government is self serving, and they can raise taxes or borrow more money.

Answer 6

Because they led people to believe that they could finish high school and make 30 dollars an hour working on a factory line. Now the economy in the State of Michigan is totally screwed, and some of those people are actually angry they now have to pay insurance premiums and co pays, when so many of us don't even have health insurance, and those of us who do pay our premiuims and co pays. Because of the unions, car companies are having to pay people to stay at home, just to downsize. it is completely ridiculous. I know there are other factors contributing to the declineof the MI economy, but what the unions have done is cut off their nose to spite their face. And bred of generation of entitilement that no other non union companies have. They also force people to join and pay dues. They are also extremely corrupt. I am waiting to see how they REALLY feel about the workers, and pay up for some retraining or job relocation, or maybe even help defray the immense burden on our social system and unemplyment. How long do you think i will have to wait to see that?

Answer 7

They don't hate them but they are political adversaries. I think many conservative dislike unions because of the fact that they take money (dues) from their members and then spend it on political campaigns that not all the members agree with.
How would you feel if you had to be a member of a union to keep your job, and your dues were being given to a politician with whom you disagree?

Answer 8

Unless any of you know what you are talking about maybe you should all keep your opinions to yourselves. The unions did not force companies to go overseas. It was the American consumer that forced outsourcing, for being to cheap to buy American made products. If all of you would spend the few extra dollars on American made products, then Americas economy, and unemployment would not exist. All the union ever did was get fair and standard benefits for their members. They never forced an employee to join them, the employee was always ABLE to go to a different job.

Answer 9

Because conservatives are pro-Corporate America and UNIONS are Corporate America's Achilles heel.

Answer 10

Conservatives hate them because they try to control the labor market which is in direct opposition to free enterprise. Free enterprise is one of the things conservatives hold dear.

Answer 11

Take a look at oursourcing. I'll explain this basic issue in which unions are 100% to blame

You can make 100 cars for $100 in the United States. Union goes on strike and wants $150 for making that same 100 cars.

But if you take production overseas you can make 100 cars for $75. Its basic business