Unions?

[Lynn0623]

What is everyone's view on Unions? Philly is a BIG union city. The Real World was set to film in Philly this Spring. However, after the building site kept getting picketed by the Labor Union they decided to pull out. The argument by the Union was that the production company didn't hire the union to do the job but hired another one instead. Now this angers me because TRW would have brought so much attention on a city that needs it desperately! Yet now because of the stupid union, we aren't going to get that attention. Now you have to understand that the labor union boss is not the most pleasant person to deal with. He uses scare tactics in order to get what he wants and I have heard that his union doesn't even do quality work.

Thought??

[pisces2473]

Noooooo. :(

I hate unions. Where I work, we have them...I think they are necessary for some types of jobs (manual labor, custodial staff, etc) but for my job? Working at a desk? NO. People who work here are spoiled brats who think that the university OWES them something. Hello, this is a job. Go do your work and shut up and go home. The unions went on strike last year because they weren't getting enough money--this was going on as the governor of CT was laying off THOUSANDS of state workers. What babies--shut up, you have jobs. The union people here are scary, use intimidation tactics, and are just plain weird. Unfortunately, every one has to be in the union, but there are signed members and unsigned members (which I am, haha,)--you don't have to strike if you're an unsigned member.

That is all, lol.

[Lynn0623]

My Bf is a teacher and he is in a Union and for some jobs I think that they are a good thing. However, SEPTA (the transportation system) almost went on strike because they were going to have to pay for some of their benefits...OMG! Now don't most people pay for at least some of their benefits? What gets to me is that in seems that when people are in unions they feel so secure in their jobs that their work slacks off. Philly has had so much problems with unions because of this. Now I am not saying all unions are like this but that's how it is in Philly.

[pisces2473]

Originally posted by Lynn0623
What gets to me is that in seems that when people are in unions they feel so secure in their jobs that their work slacks off.
This is how it is at Yale. People do their jobs half-assed, because they know it's going to take a BIG THING to get them fired. Makes me soooo mad... :mad:

[CATEIMUS]

There was an expose about the union I used to belong to in the local paper last week. It basically said the union dues we all pay are going to the most frivolous things, and if anyone tries to dispute them they are threatened and are forced to back off. My bargaining unit includes law enforcement officers and correctional officers, and I can understand those types of jobs needing the union to back them up, say, legally if something were to happen. But my desk job/behind the scenes type of career does not require legal help! Or any of their other BS type of services. So when I get the letter in the mail asking if I want to re-new my membership for $50 a month, I decline. And what still comes out of my pay check each month?? $21 freakin dollars for being a NON MEMBER!!! What is that?? I have to pay them money so I am not a member! And they are spending my money on ridiculous things!! GRRRRRRRR!! Down with Unions!

[joneshen]

In theory unions can be good, until they start making outrageous demands. From what I've heard about the union situation in Philadelphia, the unions seem a bit overbearing. I can understand why MTV would not want to play ball with them, but it's a shame that they pulled out right away as opposed to trying to negotiate with them a little.

[Lynn0623]

here is a link from Phillyblog.com if anyone is interested in reading more....

http://www.phillyblog.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=3073&sid=7b2c4082ddacb8a7e421175564e79649

[Lipgloss Boost]

'Hate them! I'm in one. Yes, I work for a homeless shelter & we're unionized. All the shelters in Ottawa are.

Our union is bargaining right now for our new contract. Every other shelter makes between $15-22 hour. We make $12. The best the Union got us this week in bargaining was $12.47! That's not even $0.50 more!

Keep in mind (if you read the "Work" subForum you'll already know this), my best friend & co-worker is currently in a coma because he was shanked (knifed) by one of out clients last week! Then Management has the audacity to tell us our lives are only worth a 47 cent raise?

To say the least I expect to be walking the picket-lines by April 3! :(

[lostindc]

I think unions have outlived their use. They were essential 100 years ago when workers were essentially forced to work for a particular employer depending on what they did and where they lived. Now people can work several different employers so that there is competition for labor, yet in some industries (like the food preparation) people have to join the same union (ie afl-cio) regardless who they work for. The unions have a monopoly over their membership and serve their own interests instead of their members' interests.

Case in point: when I was in high school I worked for a supermarket and was forced to join the afl-cio. I was paid 5 cents over the state minimum wage ($4.80 at the time) yet the the union took out $15 per WEEK. Furthermore there seems to be a conspiracy between unions and employers to hire just part time workers. The employers save money on higher wages and benefits and the unions collect more in dues (as more part timers are hired).

In the DC are there is a pending supermarket strike (over employees being forced to pay more for some of their benefits) However given how many supermarket workers are part time and short term, how many of them receive any benefits in the first place? I think the union strikes in attempt to justify their absurd dues that they force their members to pay.

I am glad I don't have to deal with unions with my current job.