Unions, Do you see their value?

Question

Is there a place n your life for the unions?

Or do you see them as a nuisance?

I read with interest the many answers on here that state the unions are now past their sell by date.

That is probably the truth, however, is the best option to walk away and turn your back on the unions, or work from within the unioons to try to change their effectiveness for the working man.

I personally think back to those who have gone before us who suffered astonishing treatment in their efforts to form the unions and have them recognised.

Is it right that we just flush all of their efforts and suffering down the toilet because WE have let the unions slide into what they apparently are.

My apologies to those who believe that extinction is the best course, I personally think that what we leave future generations is important, lets leave them a better union that we have inherited of late, lets put the unions to right.

Innefective though they are, if we let them go, we will never get them back again!

Answer 1

The unions are mostly to weak to help workers any more.
This is why we have such poor treatment of employees and especially part time workers. Working conditions in many companies are below standard, with people working in cramped and poor environments. Our rights have been compromised in favour of profits and short term employment with little or no protection. These rights will never return. Mrs. Thatcher has so much to answer for.

Answer 2

Of course unions are a good idea and anyone who believes differently is living on cloud nine.
The reason why so many have negative ideas about them is because of the way the unions were hijacked by left wing nutters some years ago and forgot the reasons for their existence.
This was down to the weakness of the members who out of apathy and laziness, lost control of the unions.
Ask yourself this; Would the living standards of the working man/woman today be higher or lower if there was an absence of unions.
To help you in your answer look at nations where there is an absence of effective trade unions.

Answer 3

There is no place in my life for Unions!
Also, they are no nuisance!
This because I chose NOT to allow or indeed Let into my life!
They may, long time past, have justification to have existed, but their existence never
truly justified a satisfactory conclusion to a differing of opinions,in the last 60 years. The people they purported to protect, never felt protected. The management of the so called protected, found you could." Buy" the union. No it was a far cry from ."The Toll Puddle Martyrs". Today, we have computers. File " Trade Unionism " in an old filing cabinet. Write also: "Not to be opened". The lessons, have been learn ed. Man/Woman, can converse and discuss with Management. No more demigods. Please!

Answer 4

I am a member of a union and yes they have a place and a value. I am guessing that you are thinking about the Post Office workers' strike, my union does not agree with this as a strike pertaining to a rise in salary above the cost of living is as bad as downing tools because the loos do not work or you don't like the boss. My union protects me and aids me in difficult situations. My partner and I are both union members because working in a school we would be idiots to not be. (Just read moldier_than_thou's answer and am inclined to agree that onions are probably more useful than Unions lol).

Answer 5

Unions at one time were a valuable asset to the working people but now they are a just another problem. Most of the people that I know that are really in favor of unions are the people who are always blaming other people for their problems. One of the biggest problems in our economy is the rate of inflation and unions are one of the main factors that help inflation grow at a faster than normal pace. The create a false wage for jobs that looks good until the price of goods go up and then you are caught in the vicious circle. I for one am a working man but don't blame companies for making money, that is what they are out there to do. As long as they make money they keep me employed, which is quite important to me.

Answer 6

It depends what job you do whether or not you see the value. For instance if you were in a job like teaching or driving where you could end up in some sort of bother (ie hitting a child or invloved in accident) at least you would have them as legal back up if the case went to court and it would be free.

They do help with arranging how much pay you get but in this day and age it doesn't equate to much.

Although I am a member I don't like the idea of striking. Hope I don't have to do that.

Answer 7

There's good & bad in unions - but I know they help themselves FIRST . I think it is curious , however , that some think it is "protection" against a so-called"vile"capitalist society..when people in Cuba , for instance often give their lives for the dream of escaping to a capitalist society . If you notice , often times the unions "fight" for the worker- but the worker never seems to get much out of it .
On the other hand - if the people want unions , they should have that opportunity .

Answer 8

The unions were very useful in the past but like most weak willed greedy people they are now very corrupt. I know there have been many bribes taken in a union I used to be a member of.
It is a sad state of affairs when there is now no one to turn to if you have a problem in your work place, but Margaret Thatcher got her way and broke the unions and now no job is a job for life, with short term contracts being the norm.

Answer 9

I enjoy Unions. They make me laugh at their antiquated mentality and group logic. They pay their dues and the head honchos drive legitimate companies out of business because they wouldnt meet the demands of the Union leaders.

They strike and act like bitter little children until they get their 8.00 an hour raise, which puts them up to $49 an hour, which NO human in the world deserves no matter if they are a brain surgeon.

Unions are a dead and gone subject in my mind, the sooner they are dead and gone, the better the USA will be. Unions are KILLING product quality, driving up sales from foreign countries to American markets, and at the same time, affecting inflation in the US.

Answer 10

Often anti-union types will say that union members get more money, better conditions better pensions etc. and then in the same breath say that unions are irrelevant.

Are they too stupid to make the connection?

I do not include USDAW. They should be ashamed to call themselves a trade union.