Author Topic: Join or else! (Read 683 times)

Xargos · « **on:** August 23, 2005, 07:57:53 AM »

I work for the South Carolina Department of Corrections and I've/we've tried several time to start a Union down here but I'll be damned if I'm going to be forced to join one.

Washington Employee Union Strong Arms Workers to Join

A union representing state workers in Washington State is looking to stem the tide of declining union membership by using a new tactic -- force employees to join or get fired.

After being elected earlier this year, Washington State Governor Christine Gregoire gave the Washington Federation of State Employees the authority to fire any state worker who either refused to join or pay the "representation fee" of $45 a month.

This measure was part of a larger effort to water down the Personnel Reform Act of 2002. The act gave managers more flexibility in hiring and firing and allowed workers to bargain directly with the governor on provisions of their contracts, according to Foxnews.com.

The state employees union successfully lobbied the new governor to allow the union to challenge provisions in the new law, such as making it easier to fire bad workers or perform outsourcing. The watering down of the Personnel Reform Act will mean higher labor costs for the state government, which will be passed on to taxpayers.

Since the measure was approved by the governor, membership in the state employees union has practically doubled with income reaching $10 million, as reported on Foxnews.com. The big increase in membership is state employees joining the union because they are afraid of losing their jobs. "I think a lot of us jumped on the bandwagon out of fear," said state employee, Kristie Hubble.

Not only will workers be forced to support a union they may not like, but also political candidates. The union contributes overwhelmingly to the Democratic Party, who receives 75 percent of their contributions. State union employees are supporting the Democratic Party whether if they like it or not.

http://www.lp.org/yourturn/archives/000075.shtml

ASTAC · « **Reply #1 on:** August 23, 2005, 11:09:35 AM »

I hate unions..they are just another force driving up prices.

No one should be forced to join a union..besides the need for them is pretty much gone..they are a relic of the old days that no longer has any relevance.

Midnight · « **Reply #2 on:** August 23, 2005, 11:34:40 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by ASTAC
I hate unions..they are just another force driving up prices.

No one should be forced to join a union..besides the need for them is pretty much gone..they are a relic of the old days that no longer has any relevance.

In most cases, this is correct. Many unionsthat I have had direct contact with have a few good workers that are actually skilled in their trade. The rest are a bunch of lazy hackers that get by doing the bare minimum to stay employed.

My biggest gripe about unions is when they get so territorial about their particular trade that NO ONE is allowed to perform that trade's type of work if they are not a tradesman in that field.

Skydancer · « **Reply #3 on:** August 23, 2005, 12:13:45 PM »

Easy to omplain about unions untill your employer dumps on you or you get into hassle at work, then the union might just be your best mate. Besides if it wasn't for trade unionism employment conditions would be back in the bad old days of early industrialisation.

Xargos · « **Reply #4 on:** August 23, 2005, 12:27:31 PM »

Things are so bad for State employees of S.C. that we need a union but I've also noticed that companies like MeadWestVaco's unions have sold their members out.

Sandman · « **Reply #5 on:** August 23, 2005, 01:14:26 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by ASTAC
I hate unions..they are just another force driving up prices.

No one should be forced to join a union..besides the need for them is pretty much gone..they are a relic of the old days that no longer has any relevance.

As only 8% of the workforce in this country is union, I suspect that there are greater forces driving prices up other than labor.

beet1e · « **Reply #6 on:** August 23, 2005, 01:26:08 PM »

Bah! I have to agree in part with SkyDancer, but I can see XArgos's concern.

I had the same choice working in local government ~30 years ago. I was asked to join NALGO. Under duress, I did, but made it clear that I wanted no part in trade union militancy of the kind that wrecked Britain in the 1970s. The lefties that persuaded me to join were right about one thing - the union did indeed secure pay rises in line with the 30% inflation of the day.

Unions can be OK, but they can abuse their power. Britain did OK though. We had Maggie Thatcher, and she absolutely smashed the unions.

vorticon · « **Reply #7 on:** August 23, 2005, 01:50:30 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Skydancer
Easy to omplain about unions untill your employer dumps on you or you get into hassle at work, then the union might just be your best mate. Besides if it wasn't for trade unionism employment conditions would be back in the bad old days of early industrialisation.

nope, we have the useless government to thank for that...

how to unions fire people though? i could have sworn that was left to the employer

Skydancer · « **Reply #8 on:** August 23, 2005, 06:40:54 PM »

Maggie Maggie Maggie Out Out Out!

I digress.

In my opinion Unions are basicaly a good thing but I agree no one should be forced to join them.