I've never been in position to work through a union. And I know only a few that do. Interestingly, all of the people I know that work through unions have expressed almost exactly what you did...word for word.

I'm sure there are times and instances where unions are of great benefit - mining comes to mind. And I know there are many workplace benefits and norms that exist today due to union activities decades ago, in unrelated industries.

But you touched on one of my negative beliefs of unions - at least perceived - and that's opportunity. Any system that values time in position over performance is stifling, both to the individual and company.

Good post...it makes you think.

Wow! Tell us how you REALLY feel, Steve!

It's a funny thing about unions. Because there was a time in this country when people were being exploited and unions were the only protection between the individual and a life of unbelieveable poverty and horridly unsafe working conditions. An aunt of mine was a big union organizer back in the 1930s, because conditions were so bad. She was fired from Alcoa for unionizing activity, and it was a big case that made the newspapers and even was brought to the attention of Eleanor Roosevelt.

But later in her life my aunt became a business owner and lost her zeal for unions. She said she felt they had been important back in the day but had "outlived their purpose." Right or wrong, that was how she felt.

Best,
Anita

I understand a great deal about early union formation, both my Grandfathers were in unions, one was a miner and the other a railroad engineer. I use to hear there stories of employer abuse. Like many things that were once appropriate things change and sometimes organizations don't. However I think there are still plenty of wrong thinking employers who don't value their employees and union organizing is one option the employees have to counteract. The other is leaving the company and finding a better one, takes more initiative maybe but might be a better solution.

Unions, like all power structures that come from stuggle try to hold onto that power--and for too long but I don't think that it is time to write off the value of labour organizations just yet. Unions are not dead, they are broken. Sure it would be nice if we didn't need unions and all employers would treat people as valuable contibutors to to the success of the company versus an expense line for the accountants.

Large corporations still treat employees callously by underpaying them, create employment ghettos as the jobs in an area dry up and the only alternative seems to get by without paying a fair wage or providing safe working conditions. I have heard reports (though not read them myself) that a certain retail giant pays its employees so little in a particular area of the US that the workers have to get Social Assistance or go to food banks in order to supplement their income. Governments don't want to do anything as they get contributions and lobbied to leave things be.

Leaving it up to the worker to find something better is not always feasable. In low paying jobs, workers don't have money to move, don't have time to search, don't feel valued enough that they can do better, and obviously there are people who don't bother.

On the opposite side you have workers, like those in your piece, who do as little as possible, slow productivity, pander to the wants of the union leadership, and plea for more money and less work at every negotiation or out come the picket signs.

To make things better workers should take back the unions, make productivity a virtue above seniority and reward innovation and skill and become part of the company as a whole that benfits or loses based on the successes or failures.

I can't believe Obama just came out sucking up to Iowa by saying he would "walk the picket line." Union 101 for dummies...Unions represent 7.2% of the total labor force in the U.S down from 35-40% in the 1950's. Yes, 1950's! It's 2007. So Obama is worried about the "working man," is he? Well, what does he know about unions? Has anyone ever pulled a financial statement off the internet from the labor department? They are free, public information and just full of interesting facts. Let's talk about the working man, shall we? The poor "working man" who joins a union will pay an initiation fee, and monthly dues based on what is earned. For argument sake, let’s say initial dues are $100 and monthly dues run the hard working man $50. Can anyone tell me where that money goes? Benefits for the working man, better pay, EAP programs? Ha! Here's the simple version; pyramid scam. $30 out of the monthly dues of $50 goes to the "international union," while the remaining $20 stays at the local union. I think you will likely find at least 10 employees of the local union making over 100K per year. Very little actually benefits the working man. If you examine the financial statements even closer you will find that considerable benefits are being paid. If you look closer, the benefits are not for Obama's "working man" but the union employees! What's even crazier is that the average dues paid by union workers knock 2% off their annual wages. Do you know what an average union contract gives workers each year? Well, 3% is the national average, so if you subtract 2% the hard working people of our great unions are getting a 1% increase each year. Unions represent everything wrong with this country. Who drives a Ford, or Chevy for chrissakes? I'll tell you who, shop stewards and people who like to put those peeing Calvins on their windshields. This isn't brain surgery. If you add a third party leech to a profitable business, you increase expenses, correct? Who pays for that? You do stupid! Either by cutting corners and creating an inferior product (see Ford and Chevy), or by passing the cost on to the end consumer. By the way, wanna bet the aforementioned car companies move out in the middle of the night...real soon!? On top of everything else Obama just crapped on several Federal agencies put in place years ago to help employees. Ever hear of the EEOC? Is Obama saying this agency is just a paper tiger with no teeth to help the hard working employees? If so, can Obama please cut out this organization from the budget when you are president so we can stop the pork spending? We finally have a reason to throw the attorney's out; apparently employees can't go to them for help when an employer commits a wrong. Nope, it appears that only the Unions can save us, correct Obama? Seriously, does anyone want to frequent a business with union employees? Let’s face it; employers can't reward good performance anymore. Only "time served" means anything. Why would any employer care anymore if his or her employees were Union? Unions are for people who are too stupid to know that their own leaders are riding the back of their hard work. If unions don't sicken you, then you must be on their payroll, or be completely clueless about what Unions do, or not do. One more little tidbit... when the unions surveyed who were the least likely people to sign a union card the number one answer by far was, "someone who has been in a union."

absolutely! I am in a union, I have no choice. i must work next to the steward who constantly is stopped from his work because he becomes irate and is going to HR over ..anything. It would be helpful to have people discuss and conclude what is needed to be successful. Asking people to do their work isn't wrong, its management. I have heard more union people make threats, yell, fly off the handle and have childish fits then i have management.

Well, ask Steve said earlier – we are at it again. Welcome the the June 5th edition of the Carnival of the Capitalists.  Lots of good things to read and plenty of information for everyone. My special thanks to Brian...

Well, as Steve said earlier – we are at it again. Welcome the the June 5th edition of the Carnival of the Capitalists.  Lots of good things to read and plenty of information for everyone. My special thanks to Brian...