RIVETER

It seems as though there are a lot of people out there opposed to unions. Is it because they legitimately are against unions? Are they upset because they did not get a UNION job? What is it? I have worked union and non-union and I have never had someone say that I wish we weren't unionized. There is good and bad, as far as I am concerned, but overwhelmingly, The GOOD outweighs the BAD.

RIVETER

Black4Truck

I tried to get into the union when I first got into the trade back in 1970.

I didn't have a family member or anyone in the "inside" to help me out.

At the time, that was a job thousands of others wanted also and it was locked up tight.

The good thing was that going non-union allowed me to go into business for myself soon after.

If I had a union job making big bucks, going out on my own would not of looked so appealing

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Terrorism is a naughty word.. let me be clear, I intend to be PC when ever it makes me look good

Bob Badger

I am happy to be non-union.

I have been offered union jobs, no thanks.

To each their own, if it's what you want then great enjoy it.

The pros

High pay

The Cons

Paying to work

Another level of the buddy system

Being a member of a group that does a lot of things that I would be ashamed to be associated with.

Having lazy Fs get raises just because they showed up.

Being chastised for putting in extra effort instead of calling for more help

Worrying more about union politics than doing my job.

Tool lists

Waving an American Flag while extorting higher wages.

I could probably go on .....

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Bob Badger
Electrical Construction and Maintenance
MA, RI, CT

william1978

I have worked on both sides and whoever offers the most money is the one I will go with and it just happens to the non-union side right now, but I always sale my tools to the highest bidder.

RIVETER

As long as it is easy to switch back and forth it will work for you. If you are going for the MONEY for your family...I commend you. If you are an opportunist who will use all systems...screw the rest... It will not work out, long term.

brian john

7% of America (and shrinking) can't be wrong.

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I void warranty's

william1978

It is all about feeding the family.

RIVETER

Then I cannot find fault with that.

Frasbee

That's kind of a good thing, right?

I mean, if you think about it, the labor unions put themselves out of the job. They wanted to raise the standard of pay, they wanted to raise the standard of work quality, they wanted to raise the standard of job safety. I'd say for the most part, they were successful. So much, that we now labor laws, worker's compensation, over-time, minimum wages, etc., that non-union businesses need to comply with.

Just with anything in America, I have no doubt that unions will make a come-back. These things just go through cycles. Swing from one side to the other.

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rewire

benefits ; medical,retirement,vacation pay, holiday pay,continuing education

job safety
seniority
no off clock time
no forced use of own truck
no forced use of own tools not on list
no losing overtime
dues to support localnot sure what this is but you sign the book and take the callexactly what??
as aposed to having no raise for anyone
nothing like screwing the older guys who cant lift three 3 inch conduits on their shoulder and run up a ladder,your day is comming so don't set a pace you can't keep the rest of your life why woorry be happy[quote]

Tool lists[/qoute]i cant afford to supply all the bosses tools so I lose my job because you are willing to
[ and you prefer begging on your hands and knees the term RAT is used to describe guys who would gladly drown their co worker if it saved their job

brian john

[quote=rewire;137379]benefits ; medical,retirement,vacation pay, holiday pay,continuing education

job safety
seniority
no off clock time
no forced use of own truck
no forced use of own tools not on list
no losing overtime
dues to support localnot sure what this is but you sign the book and take the callexactly what??
as aposed to having no raise for anyone
nothing like screwing the older guys who cant lift three 3 inch conduits on their shoulder and run up a ladder,your day is comming so don't set a pace you can't keep the rest of your life why woorry be happyAll available on open shops.


As for the older guys I HAVE never seen any company that had a steady employee not take care of that employee.

As stated above Unions worked for labor laws that make unions at this time a burden on society. NOT MY WORDS. Check recent public opinion polls.

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I void warranty's

MechanicalDVR

Well back in mid June I wouldn't have one bad thing to say about my Union. Five months out of work and it changes a little. Prior to this year I have never been out of work unless I wanted to be out for some reason. My last boss had asked me a few times what was going on with my knees (I need them replaced) since I had surgery and they were giving me issues. A short time after he asks, I get laid off before other newer guys on the job, I was there three years. I get people to call for interviews from my BA, get several interviews and no call backs from them. I call my BA to see whats up and leave a voicemail, he doesn't call back either. So here I am 49, out of work for months, need both knees replaced (injured on the job), suing the comp carrier and collecting Unemployement. Yeah I have two vested retirement plans with the Union, my dues are paid til next year but, what has the Union done for me lately?

RIVETER

[quote=brian john;137381]There are flaws inside the union ;as well as outside the union... but tell us, again, WHAT LABOR LAW IS A BURDEN ON SOCIETY?

480sparky

How sad it is that there are those still out there who hold dearly to their hearts this (never existed) image of the non-union worker. Do you think we are so poor we resort to selling apples on street corners for a nickel apeice? Are we standing in line every day at soup kitchens begging for free handouts? I don't ever recall laying awake at night concocting some scheme on how to stab a coworker in the back so I could advance my career.

I don't need a union to negotiate my next pay raise. I do that all by my confident and hard-working self by doing good work. I never kissed the boss's áss, or sucked on his dïck to get anything. I gave the company an honest day's work for an honest day's pay. And I never felt the need to strike for 6 weeks (and lose 6 weeks pay!) to get a 25¢-hour raise for the next 3 years.

I prefer to make my own path, not one that is determined by someone else with their hands in my wallet.

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All responses based on the 2008 National Rat Code.

brian john

One thing SOME union men forget is this is a free society (for the time being) and choice in where we work available to all of us (if your live in a Right to work state).

The new rule the unions are trying to pass doing away with a secret ballot STINKS and shows how desperate unions are getting.

If they worked for the betterment of the men, the company anmd the country. Raises based on performance, not raises for all including slackers, rules protecting the good the bad and the ugly.

Unions need to get with the program or continue to lose private sector membership.

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I void warranty's

rewire

[quote=brian john;137381] available yes ,actually enforced ?? you have not seen maybe because you have never looked.of course you can alwats work as a greeter at Wal-Mart unions have a large part in keeping these labor lawsfrom being gutted,not that many years ago we had full blown sweat shops right here in the USA.

Wireless

So the ends justify the means? One can take advantage of the sstem to feed their famil but not to just make money? Can he rob a bank if he has to?

Wireless

So maybe journeymen should work at the same pace as apprentices. What is ethical about deliberately not putting in full effort because some day you won't be able to?

rewire

[quote=Wireless;137395] Their is a big difference between full effort and stupid effort,strong backs with weak minds are always prized but one day all you will have is the weak mind.

Bob Badger

I have all that, thanks.

Have that as well, in house company safety officer and polices in place.

I don't believe in it.

I get paid for the hours I work.

Have always had a company truck or truck allowance and no one makes me do what don't want to.

I have never been forced to supply more than hand tools.

Never had that happen either.

Call it whatever makes it more palatable to you.


You not seriously trying to say there is no favoritism at the hall?

Too long to list, give me a break. Slashed tires, intmindation, name calling, picketing sites that are doing fine without you.

I get plenty of raises, ones I earned myself, not ones contractually 'owed me'

Lifes a bitch, stay useful or get pushed aside, yeah that sucks but that is how it is. Your Momma is not going to take care of you.

If I am more valuable for whatever reason and someone has to go ....

I have not begged for anything since I used to chase the ice cream truck.

But if I had to choose between asking for a raise and extorting one I would ask.

And there we go, typical union crap, if someone does not agree with the union line than call them names like a kid on the school ground.

You do your cause so much more harm than good I should thank you.

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Bob Badger
Electrical Construction and Maintenance
MA, RI, CT