Once upon a time most people supported the unions but weren't particularly aware of when a contract negotiation was not going well. The picketing was a way to get that union supporting public aware of the situation.in todays society, what is the real point or goal of a union picketing a job? and are they ever successful?
let's say, for example, that a project is being done non-union...the guys on the site are getting pay comparable to union scale, benefits, etc (not an argument of equality, just differentiating from the site full of guys being paid minimum wage off the books)beleive it or not, the fact there may be a picket may or may not have anything to do with a contract and the negotioations concerning that contract.
In our local (IBEW), we have "informational" pickets altough we are not allowed to strike EVER by verbiage in our contract. We picket in an attempt to draw attention to whatever message we are trying to publicize. It has nothing to do with the negotiations for our contract and has no relation in time to the negotiation of our contract.
what reason(s) would you attribute that to?Not just the general public but also those making deliverys. Concrete, supply houses etc. Whare I work picket lines get respected well.
The local inspectors(local 3) picketed my job in december. It was a 1 day strike(on our site) and 250 tradesman honored it, we shut the job down. Our job was the 3rd or 4th site picketed in the city. I would say it was very successful. They struck a deal with the city the next day(they weren't fighting for money) This is a perfect example of a strike working as intended. doesn't always happen this way, but it shows what can be done when we as tradesman stand up for each other. My local has not been on strike in some 25 years.
That's exactly what they're picketing, or what I would be picketing under those circumstances. Nonunion on the site, even IF they're being paid prevailing wages, is never equal.let's say, for example, that a project is being done non-union...the guys on the site are getting pay comparable to union scale, benefits, etc (not an argument of equality, just differentiating from the site full of guys being paid minimum wage off the books)
How do you know the guy doing the job is content with his package? Does he really have any other choice but to be content with what's offered? Further and even more on point, in these situations the nonunion employee making prevailing rate is often pressured to outperform even his best days. ("Since you making so much more while you're on this project") and the spoken or unspoken threat that at any time the boss desires, you could be yanked back down into another non-prevailing wage project, at your regular rate.and the union has an 'informational' picket...what are they really picketing? that the guy doing the job is content with his package, but they (the unions) aren't?
So because of this cavalier attitude prevelant in today's society, you think union members should just give up? Stop protesting? Stop the informational pickets? Pack it in? Go away, it's not working anyway?in today's society, where too many people can't even tell you who the secretary of state is, how much do you think they care that some guy is doing your job for $5/hr less?
I don't think anyone could quantify that.what would be considered a successful 'informational' picket?
Solidarity.what reason(s) would you attribute that to?
I know of no non-union contractor that offers a package equal to the union package with the possible excpetion of a couple key men within that company.=oldman;24125]let's say, for example, that a project is being done non-union...the guys on the site are getting pay comparable to union scale, benefits, etc (not an argument of equality, just differentiating from the site full of guys being paid minimum wage off the books)
they are attempting to inform all that will listen that the workers behind the line are not being paid what the union deems to be a fair package.and the union has an 'informational' picket...what are they really picketing? that the guy doing the job is content with his package, but they (the unions) aren't?
well, since the largest employer in the county requires that all construction on their campus be performed by union contractors, apparently somebody is listening.in today's society, where too many people can't even tell you who the secretary of state is, how much do you think they care that some guy is doing your job for $5/hr less?
we did not get run over.what would be considered a successful 'informational' picket
If picket lines were a form of extortion, then there would be arrests and prosecutions.joe, thats a positive....good luck....
i have quite a few friends in 164.....there is a HUGE difference between 164 and 400
but in some cases, the picket lines are still a form of extortion...and to deny that it occurs is to be completely intellectually dishonest...
No more so than your base assumption is that every nonunion worker does not want to be union.the base assumption in al of this is that everyone wants to be union...
I'm not too sure your heart bleeds for them.the downside is that should a customer decide that they want to switch their project midstrean to a union project, the guys now workng become unemployed....they don't get organized...the union brings in existing out of work guys...
can you see where a nonunion worker might have some anymosity?
The inspectors picketed my job because it's one of the biggest josites in the county, they also picketed 3-4 other very large job sites. I'm not sure of the details, as I never asked specifically. It does not matter though, they felt the city was doing something they did not agree with, and in solidarity, we(tradesman) stood behind them and helped them out. When the trades stand together like that it creates a better working environment for all.can you elaborate? why would the inspectors picket your job? what were they picketing for?
Local 164 aggressively organizes in good times and bad. This is not as popular with the membership as the leadership. My own view is that the union raises the standard and that when people in general lower the standard that is where anamosity is created.joe, thats a positive....good luck....
i have quite a few friends in 164.....there is a HUGE difference between 164 and 400
but in some cases, the picket lines are still a form of extortion...and to deny that it occurs is to be completely intellectually dishonest...
the base assumption in al of this is that everyone wants to be union....the downside is that should a customer decide that they want to switch their project midstrean to a union project, the guys now workng become unemployed....they don't get organized...the union brings in existing out of work guys...
can you see where a nonunion worker might have some anymosity?
could you elaborate?My own view is that the union raises the standard and that when people in general lower the standard that is where anamosity is created.
except.....that's never been my base assumption....and i've never stated as much....please get your information straight if wish to be a contrarianI
No more so than your base assumption is that every nonunion worker does not want to be union.