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Politics Where we learn not to think less of others who don't share our views |
View Poll Results: Do you support Unionization? | |||
Unions are the only way to protect working people | 4 | 12.12% | |
Unions are generally a good idea | 12 | 36.36% | |
Unions are neither good nor bad, circumstance is crucial | 10 | 30.30% | |
Unions are generally a bad idea | 1 | 3.03% | |
Unions are destroying Western Civilization | 6 | 18.18% | |
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll |
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04-02-2011, 07:00 AM | #1 |
still says videotape
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 26,813
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Unions?
Are you with them against them or neutral? Why? What aspects of unionization don't get reported in the press?
I used to be pretty hard-core anti-union, but I've seen too much class warfare from the right in the name of (faux) free markets to maintain that universal opposition. Free markets are only free if large corporations and the rich can fail too.
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04-02-2011, 07:34 AM | #2 | |
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
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I saw a brilliant recruitment advert for a union once. Let me see if I can find it on Youtube.
Before I do though: I am absolutely supportive of the labour and union movement. They are the only thing that shifts the balance of power and offers protection for workers. That some unions are not fit for purpose is an unfortunate fact. That some unionists act for their own, rather than their members' interests is also an unfortunate fact. But every protection that is currently afforded to workers is there because of unions. They arose out of an extreme need for that protection. Want to see how employment would work if unions had never developed? Look back in history at what happens when they're illegal.
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04-02-2011, 07:37 AM | #3 | ||
We have to go back, Kate!
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Yorkshire
Posts: 25,964
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Here it is:
I read an interesting quote taken from a programme about the British workplace the other day: Quote:
The employers shouldn't be demonised. But nor should the workers. In recent decades the balance of power has shifted further from workers and towards employers than it has in the previous century. There is a class war. It's quiet and it's couched in unwarlike language, but do not doubt it is being fought. By them. Here's another interesting little clip. What have the Unions Ever Done for Us?
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Last edited by DanaC; 04-02-2011 at 07:44 AM. |
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04-02-2011, 08:18 AM | #4 |
Professor
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,622
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Exactly.
I hadn't seen the "What has the union movement ever done for us" ad. Thanks Dana. Last edited by casimendocina; 04-02-2011 at 08:29 AM. |
04-02-2011, 08:49 AM | #5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Not here
Posts: 2,655
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I'm for them, especially after reading up on Colorado State Law to see what the penalties are if someone turns Bill-the-motel-owner (also known as "yas-suh") into the DA for forcing his employees to work 3 back to back 14 hour shifts with a payCUT instead of OT as required by law.
Poor little Billy can get fined around $200 per employee and be forced to give us backpay amounting to double what we should have been paid. So in my instance that would come to a whopping $640.00 for one week. He MIGHT also have to go spend a few days playing poker with his buddies down at the County Jail. Maybe. But that's only if we file an official complaint within 60 days. If we don't, he's off the hook. And although he's not supposed to retaliate against employees who report him, Colorado is an "at will" State, meaning the boss can come up with any reason he wants and fire you on the spot. It's a Mercenarian paradise. |
04-02-2011, 08:48 AM | #6 |
To shreds, you say?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet!
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At best, unions are a double edged sword. They only protect people who can't say NO.
I've seen too much damage caused by unions to think they can help. Like all power organizations they are susceptible and afflicted with corruption. I think they are essentially parasites. For every point brought up in the video there is a corresponding negative point.
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04-02-2011, 09:16 AM | #7 |
Professor
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04-02-2011, 08:54 AM | #8 |
To shreds, you say?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet!
Posts: 18,449
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So, the unions you favor have given you a toothless law purporting to offer you recourse. I'm guessing, despite this 'law', you will not report Billy.
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04-02-2011, 09:04 AM | #9 |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,346
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Unions are not perfect - nothing is. There has to be something on the other end of the seesaw when employers are abusive. Individuals can't do it alone.
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04-02-2011, 09:19 AM | #10 |
To shreds, you say?
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet!
Posts: 18,449
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Sure they can. They are not slaves. They can quit.
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04-02-2011, 09:27 AM | #11 |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,346
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That's getting off the seesaw, not combatting abuse.
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04-02-2011, 09:37 AM | #12 |
Professor
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,622
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I started off with an anecdote, but thought a general comment was more appropriate.
If you've always known where your next meal is coming from and you've always had options, then that argument works. If you're in a situation when quitting or taking issue with the boss over unfair conditions to the point where you lose your job means that you can't feed yourself or pay your bills, then you're at the mercy of whoever is your employer. The worker isn't always necessarily right, but neither should the employer be able to call all the shots. |
04-02-2011, 09:05 AM | #13 |
Makes some feel uncomfortable
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 10,346
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Why do you assume that the unions have given a law?
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04-02-2011, 10:24 AM | #14 |
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We have no unions which cover the motel/hotel industry. In fact, we have almost no unions at all. The coal miners may still have a couple. I dunno.
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04-02-2011, 11:22 AM | #15 | |
Touring the facilities
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The plains of Colorado
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