Unions Lobbying for More Power

[Hobbit]

It's now the Democrats' turn to scratch the unions' backs. They are currently attmempting to pass legislation that would eliminate the secret ballot to unionize. For those of you unfamiliar with unionization proceedings, a petition must first be signed by the majority of workers in the company. Once this is done, the company holds a secret ballot. If the majority of workers favor the union in this ballot, the company unionizes. Now, it may seem like streamlining to eliminate the ballot after you already have a majority on this petition. However, the ballot is secret. During the petition stages, tons of people feel intimidated. Not wanting to turn down the union guys or fearing animosity from their co-workers, they may sign the petition when they don't support the union. When the ballot comes, they vote down the union, since nobody will ever know which way they voted. Eliminating this ballot gives the dieing unions the power to intimidate their way into more power. Linda Chavez weighs in.

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/L...on_free_choice

[Hagbard Celine]

I hope they don't eliminate the secret ballot.

[musicman]

I hope they don't eliminate the secret ballot.

But, they must, if they entertain even the slimmest hope for success. Compulsion is the only weapon they have; unions are no better - in this respect - than Islamic fundamentalists or communists.

[Hagbard Celine]

But, they must, if they entertain even the slimmest hope for success. Compulsion is the only weapon they have; unions are no better - in this respect - than Islamic fundamentalists or communists.

Unions help protect workers from low wages and fight for things like worker's comp benefits and bathroom breaks. With the outsourcing of a lot of middle class jobs in this country, there has been a shift to non-unionized, service jobs. If we want any kind of middle class in this country in 50 years, we need to have more unions, not less.

[musicman]

Union Free Choice
By Linda Chavez
Friday, February 9, 2007

Private sector unions are perilously close to going the way of the dinosaur, but they still have enough teeth to convince Democrats to try to cram through legislation that would imperil workers' free choice.

Union membership among non-government employees now stands at 7.4 percent, its lowest rate in decades. So, the AFL-CIO, its affiliates, and several independent unions are trying to make it easier to force employers to recognize unions as exclusive bargaining agents through legislation.

The misnamed Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) is now at the top of the new Democrat-controlled Congress' agenda. The legislation would eliminate secret ballot elections for union representation, depriving workers of the right to reject the union without incurring the wrath of union organizers or their fellow workers.

My God - if this isn't the very definition of Orwellian tyranny, the term itself is meaningless. And - as surely as night follows day - wherever you find Orwellian tyranny, the Democrat Party will never be far behind .

[musicman]

Unions help protect workers from low wages and fight for things like worker's comp benefits and bathroom breaks. With the outsourcing of a lot of middle class jobs in this country, there has been a shift to non-unionized, service jobs. If we want any kind of middle class in this country in 50 years, we need to have more unions, not less.

At what price - rank tyranny? The unions have stepped on their dicks; we're going to have to find some other way.

You're quite right on outsoucing and the middle class, though. I knew that - at the other end of this human, and therefore non-perfectible, spectrum - we'd see the awesome size of MANAGEMENT'S heart. This is what makes the "global capitalism's interests above all else - including America's sovereignty and well-being" wing of the Republican Party such a gang of maggots; no better in their way than the Democrats, with their socialist maggotry.

[trobinett]

Once up on a time there was a place for Unions, but that time has passed.

Unions NOW are more of a weight around the American workers neck than any kind of help.

Whether those that champion Unions want to recognized it or not, Unions have been one of the driving forces behind "out sourcing", and our society switching from a production based work force to a technology, and service based work force.

Our manufacturing companies can't compete internationally because of the wages, and benefits demanded by Union contracts. If Unions had recognized this some years back, our manufacturing base wouldn't be in the downward spiral it is now.

[Insein]

There definitely was a time when unions were needed. Back alittle over 100 years ago, there were really on a certain number of jobs that a person could do. If they lost that job, they were screwed. So the employer held a tremendous amount of leverage over the employee with that respect. Unions then leveled the playing field. Nowadays though, the job market is diverse and skills are as well. If you can't work in one field, you can work in another or go out on your own. So employees are not bound by the employers whim. The employers must bend to get the employees to come to them. So the unions have the leverage now and they exploit the hell out of it.

Look at the big 3 in Detroit. Way back when, unions are what gave most of those workers the decent wages and benefits they deserved. Now though, they receive pensions of up to 80% of their former pay for the rest of their lives. What company would agree to pay a former employee any amount of his pay for the rest of his life once he is gone willingly? Those were just one of the things unions bent the employers over on cause they needed the labor. Now the Big 3 are losing tremendous amounts of business to foreign competitors because their costs are so high.

I can see the need for unions when the only option for work is the one business in town. But today there isn't a lack of options. Ive worked for a few small businesses recently. One owner was discussing how a competitor was forced to unionize his labor force. He laughed and said how great for business that will be for him. He also said that if his employees ever tried to unionize he'd just close up shop and move to a different town. I can't say i blame him. Who wants to deal with the hassle?

[stephanie]

Unions help protect workers from low wages and fight for things like worker's comp benefits and bathroom breaks. With the outsourcing of a lot of middle class jobs in this country, there has been a shift to non-unionized, service jobs. If we want any kind of middle class in this country in 50 years, we need to have more unions, not less.

Brainwashing completed....

[Gaffer]

Unions out lived their usefulness 40 years ago. They are now like tits on a hog.

[stephanie]

Unions out lived their usefulness 40 years ago. They are now like tits on a hog.

No kidding..

Their just a bunch of thuggish Communist now..

That's why the Dems. love them so much...