Employee Free Choice Act vs. NAM, Fedoras and Exxon?
What did you do today?
Many of you would answer, “I went to work.” But a group of CEOs, were not at the office today. They were sent to Washington to lobby your elected representatives on behalf of the National Association of Manufacturers.
Who are the National Association of Manufacturers, you ask? They’re the lovely folks who actively opposed the Ledbetter Act, which strengthens women’s ability to seek justice after pay discrimination. They also fought hard to keep the minimum wage at $5.15/hr, while trying to abolish the “estate tax” which affects only a small percentage of the wealthiest Americans. And just to round it out, they’ve thrown their energy behind restricting your right to sue your employer if they’ve exposed you to asbestos, and you’re now sick because of it. Nice people.
They’re governed by a 30-person board, including representation from……(wait for it Alaskans)……Exxon! You remember them, right? Remember that Supreme Court Decision that Sarah Palin couldn’t remember if she agreed with or not? Yeah, they’re great friends to Alaskans. If you want to know more, click that link, but don’t get me started.
So what’s their purpose? What do these people (you can imagine them all dressed like Jack Abramoff, or Dick Cheney at the Inauguration) want with our Senators? 
During these tough economic times, when the middle class is hanging on by their fingernails, these slick fedora-wearing elites want to convince our senators to vote against the Employee Free Choice Act, and against labor, and working Americans.
So, while they’re sitting there with Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich, their little minds are saying this:
The Economic Policy Institute estimates that if 5 million service workers join unions:
- 5 million workers would get a 22 percent raise on average, or an additional $7,000 a year;
- $34 billion in total new wages would flow into the economy;
- 900,000 jobs would be lifted above the poverty wage for a family of four ($10.22/hr); and
- Between 1.8 million and 3 million dependent children would share in these benefits.
- The economic impact on individuals would be about four times as large as the recent federal minimum wage increase, and allow nearly six times more in new wages to flow into the economy.
- Hey, that means less for us, and more for the unwashed masses…..I sure hope we can convince these two to vote in our best interest, and screw those working stiffs.
- I think I’ll head down to Florida in the corporate jet this weekend. I need to get away… Maybe a few rounds of golf…
That’s what their minds are saying, but what are their mouths saying? To answer that question click HERE and read the column entitled MYTHS. That should give you a pretty good idea.
And while it’s good news that Senator Begich is strongly in support of the Employee Free Choice Act, we may have another unforeseen opportunity. It’s possible that Lisa Murkowski will throw her support behind it as well, as she gets in touch with her inner centrist.
So, if you’re an Alaskan who is interested in nudging her politely and enthusiastically in that direction, please contact her by clicking HERE. And if you’re in one of the other 49 states, find out where your representatives stand and nudge where needed.
good evening
oh, how I’d like to nudge my senators….I’ve tried, I’ve really tried…but do they listen to me, not much. That’s way I spend so much time here in Mudflats, so much more fun…ok, I’ll go try one more time.
Dropped a little note to Ms. Murkowski, here’s the text:
Ms. Murkowski,
As a born & raised Alaskan, one who has voted Republican for the majority of my adult life, I am hoping that you can be part of the solution to the partisanship problem that is keeping both Alaska and the U.S. as a whole from meaningful progress.
Toward that effort, I hope that you will support labor reform and the Employee Free Choice Act. It is important that this country make strides toward ensuring the health & well-being of all citizens rather than fostering the health & well-being of corporations at the expense of their employees.
I heard during the campaign speeches & rallies that John McCain believes (and Sarah Palin, as well, though I utterly discount anything that she says, on principle) that employees are the strength & foundation of this country and its health. I hope that you share in that opinion, and that you will support those employees by voting in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Regards,
**************************************
One hopes that there will be many pointing out to Mr McCain that he considered employees the sum of the strength of the US economy should he come out in opposition of this. Ditto for our utterly ignorant Governor who parroted his remarks on cue.
Unfortunately my two senators are McCain and Kyl. I don’t need any more lessons in futility.
Good Jop, AKM:
When you see a bunch of grouchy old men in black fedoras, you know damn well they are are schoundrels one and all, and out to get some poor persons lunch.
These are the 2oth Century mob bosses out to bend arms, and make deals.
pvazwindy (20:50:08) :
Unfortunately my two senators are McCain and Kyl. I don’t need any more lessons in futility.
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You have my deepest sympathy:-( Colorado’s are Udall and our newly appointed Bennet; I think both will vote for the Act.
OT, sort of:
One of the CDQ fishing companies has arranged to pay back taxes on activities that they feel are not directly beneficial to the villages. Hmmm…other companies are asking the AK Congressmen/women to sponsor legislation so they don’t have to pay taxes.
http://community.adn.com/adn/node/137593
@pvazwindy –
Unfortunately my comment was eaten (for some strange reason! It didn’t even have a link!), but going to try again here, and singling you out because there’s something just for you Arizonans in it:
Dropped a little note to Ms. Murkowski, here’s the text:
Ms. Murkowski,
As a born & raised Alaskan, one who has voted Republican for the majority of my adult life, I am hoping that you can be part of the solution to the partisanship problem that is keeping both Alaska and the U.S. as a whole from meaningful progress.
Toward that effort, I hope that you will support labor reform and the Employee Free Choice Act. It is important that this country make strides toward ensuring the health & well-being of all citizens rather than fostering the health & well-being of corporations at the expense of their employees.
I heard during the campaign speeches & rallies that John McCain believes (and Sarah Palin, as well, though I utterly discount anything that she says, on principle) that employees are the strength & foundation of this country and its health. I hope that you share in that opinion, and that you will support those employees by voting in favor of the Employee Free Choice Act.
Regards,
**************************************One hopes that there will be many pointing out to Mr McCain that he considered employees the sum of the strength of the US economy should he come out in opposition of this. Ditto for our utterly ignorant Governor who parroted his remarks on cue.
I am marching over to the forum to ask that my comment be set free! Curses! There’s something for Arizonans to keep in mind in it!
Hey Arizona friends — I thought your senator considered employees the strength of the US economy?
@pvazwindy
you can always vote against him in 2010…isn’t that when his term is up?
what a coincidence…alaska can vote Palin out the same year!
If $34B in additional wages would have that effect on the quality of life in America, why the hell are we putting hundreds of billions into the banking system?
Oh, that’s right, we’re afraid to be called Socialists by the the Right Wingers that have raided the coffers already and put us into this situation.
I have sent a letter to my Senators (Hagan & Burr) from NC, but I don’t expect much to come of it. NC is a right-to-work state. It is illegal for municipal (state or local) government employees to engage in collective bargaining.
Right to work means you have the right to work, but not the right to a decent wage.
Wow, for once I have a senator who doesn’t need to be convinced to vote for things that are for the good of his constituents. Can you imagine how that finally feels? Like finally having a president we can all be proud of too… I still get misty eyed when I hear them say “President Obama” and “Senator Begich” on NPR!
Totally OT, but this will really frost SWMNBN–hee hee! Nicholas Sarkozy himself honoring JK Rowling (check out her heels). Poor Sarah. She doesn’t approve of Harry Potter (you know, it about witches, oooh) and she can’t compose a coherent sentence. But she really did want to hang out with Sarkozy. Oh, that awful woman even speaks French also too–how unfair!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1135343/Top-marks-Harry-Potter-author-J-K-Rowling-inducted-Frances-Legion-Honour.html
McCain has been on a gold plated gravy train all his life with Cindy , why should he care ??
I believe Arizona (McCain Country) is also a right-to-work state. IIRC, my niece was working as a waitress there in Phoenix around 2002. Earning $2.15 per hour, her “tips” were her wage. I don’t see McCain and Kyl losing the white stripes gracing that black fur.
In my state, I have no doubt my two Senators will go along with this legislation. Otherwise, they would surely get run out on the rails.
McCains wife spends more on a dress than most people make in a year. They’re a bunch of out of touch w/ reality crooks. That’s the only good that would come from a real depression, the pleasure of watching these bilkers stand in a bread line.
I also read that each letter sent to a rep in your state represents the voice of 3,000 people -as only about 1 of 3,000 people actually ever voice their opinion. So keep writing as I am sure Exxon and other mogals make sure their letters arrive. Let the voters be heard!
Paula – “The moguls” send their letters via lobbyist with cash enclosed……..jets , hookers , golf at 4-star resorts…..pretty intoxicating stuff…..
can I nudge mine with a brick? I got Kyl AND McCain.
austintx- I can never figure out how to attatch hookers to my emails.
Yeah, a world of bribe bribe bribe. Money talks.
Speaking of money talking, I was watching MSNBC and they were covering Balgo on Letterman and other talk shows. The man is a total skank, but you know, he is likable. That’s Palins problem, she is also a total skank, but she isn’t likable. It’s not a -she seems like a really nice person but I don’t agree with her. I truely don’t like her. At all.
Yep – Blago is kind of a likable rascal isn’t he ??
Oh, AKM, you boggled my mind with figures – it’s too early in the morning. I’d rather read about Brian!
PS – I’ll get back to the figures and Myths later in the day, promise!
I found this which may be helpful to find out how your senator stands on the Employee Free Choice Act.
One of my senators voted yes, the other nay in 2007…….gonna send a thank you to the yes and a please reconsider to the nay.
Is there any way short of calling a senator’s office to find out how they stand on certain issues? and how they plan to vote?
http://www.unionvoice.org/wfean/Senate_EFCA_Votes.html
Hopefully some of the Senators/Reps on the other side of the ailse will support this. I just had a bit of a dustup (verbal) with a guy in the PO yesterday.
Now, he was old, yes, but he had that “I will be obeyed” thing going on. I live in an area “graced” by a lot of retired exec types. Anyway, he got totally po’d that the PO was short handed and one of the clerks had the gall to leave for LUNCH! BTW, she was replaced at the counter prior to leaving.
Started to blame it all on UNIONS, this was going to become a socialist place just like Europe because UNIONS were so bad, just wait till those socialists give us government healthcare (this from a guy very obviously above Medicare age), blah, blah, blah.
I decided to speak out in their favor. ME: “Unions are the only reason we have employer provided healthcare in this country, the only reason people are paid a living wage and have other benefits, like lunch hours and vacations.”
He grumbles more.
“Oh, and I suppose management, out of the goodness of their hearts would have just provided these things if the workers hadn’t organized.” No more from Mr. Grumpy after that. Got high fives and terrorist fist bumps from the postal clerks.
Proud former union member (self employed people can’t unionize, lol) and wife of union member.
Say No–a phone call or “real” letter, not email is best. Most politicos have staffers tracking the number of yeas and nays on issues. They figure if you take the time to actually MAIL a letter or make a call, you’re serious. Forwarding an email from a group, not so much.
Morning all Slightly off topic but I post this at M and H this morning and I am going to post it here because I think everyone should take a peek at this article. Truly scary.
This morning I had time to pop over to Huffington post and read this article. What I found interesting is that last night after catching up on the news my thought process was that we seem to have our own home grown terrorists in our midst and they are elected officials that seem to think we are playing a game with the economy and they will win at any cost. Even if that cost is taking the whole country down with them. It is sickening. There is no working across the aisles with these people. I know some of you will attack me for putting these thoughts into words go for it. That is fine but after reading this article this morning and reading the quote below talk me down because I really feel that this is what is going on here.
It isn’t about helping it is now all about ruining the country and a new administration. So are we all prepared to let it happen? This will be more devasting to our country than any outside attack! IMHO.
____________________________________________________________________
Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee
“Insurgency, we understand perhaps a little bit more because of the Taliban,” Sessions said during a meeting yesterday with Hotline editors. “And that is that they went about systematically understanding how to disrupt and change a person’s entire processes. And these Taliban — I’m not trying to say the Republican Party is the Taliban. No, that’s not what we’re saying. I’m saying an example of how you go about [sic] is to change a person from their messaging to their operations to their frontline message. And we need to understand that insurgency may be required when the other side, the House leadership, does not follow the same commands, which we entered the game with.”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/05/gop-rep-we-need-might-an_n_164227.html
I was just going to post the same article.
Palin’ around with the Taliban?
Wallace also told Obama a story of his 3-year-old grandson, William and of course whipped out a photo for the President. His grandson apparently, is a huge Obama supporter. “He’s been watching with his mom and has become completely obsessed,” Wallace tells us, “so much so he refuses to go to bed. And the only way that his mother could get him to sleep is, he’ll say ‘Is Obama asleep?’ And his mother will say ‘yes’ and he’ll respond with “OK then I’ll go to sleep.’” This is at 8:15p.m., by the way. Obama loved this story and 20 minutes later, after the interview ended he said “Be sure to say to William for me.’”
>>>>>>>> While other little children across America are going to bed in tears for fear Palin will shoot them or their dog from an airplane.
http://www.unionvoice.org/wfean/Senate_EFCA_Votes.html
re: this page. See all the R’s next to the ones who don’t support the workers? How is that congruent with McLame’s message? What is WRONG with the Rethuglican party? I don’t get it. So frustrating.
pvazwindy-
I called McCain’s office to say I support the president’s stimulus bill, and the voicemailbox was full. I called Kyl’s office and told them why I was calling, and I was placed on hold…indefinitely.
Well, you have to know Senators Crapo and Craig will vote, No! As they smile and tell me via re-corded message and news letter that they are doing it for Idaho and the people, saving us all from the socialist take over, and higher goverment spending. According to them, “Right to work” is saving us from a depression and creating more jobs in ID than the Free Choice Act ever would, bla, bla, bla, same ole, same ole.
I figure the Fortune 500 must be getting a bit worried, though. Have you seen the new ads coming out, claiming how wonderful these companies are in saving the world. I just have to laugh at how much of their excessive spending is going into CYA MNM coverage. Thank goodness for the mute button so we don’t have to continue to listen to their lies.
I hope this whole thing blows up the GOPs face. It’ll be a hoot to watch them blunder their way out of it next election cycle.
The wealthy patrons of the GOP would prefer to be even wealthier.
So…what to do?
1. Immediately- Tax cuts for the rich
2. Long term-Demonize government spending
3. Shift the tax burden from capital to labor
4. Suppress wages
How to do this?
1. Blind faith in Social Darwinist ideology-”Survival of the richest”. Over the last 8 yrs. the wealth of the top 2% of the country has doubled-all the more wealth to trickle down to the other 98%. A word of warning to those of little faith (courtesy of true believer Phil Gramm) “Stop whining..we know best!”.
How to stay in power?
1. Distract people (Bible thumpers, racists, gun owners) into voting against their own best interests.
2. Appeal to base instincts.”Don’t let the government take your hard earned money to spend on common goods (Infrastructure, Education, Universal healthcare). What we need are more tax cuts!
3. Fear mongering. Let’s not have big government spending like those Socialist Europeans (the French are so yucky!)
There isn’t a politician in Europe who would be elected by proposing to dismantle the national automobile industry, boasting that non-union workers in their constituencies are only too happy to suppress their own wages.
OT somewhat, lol, Gov. Palin is back to calling us pathetic bloggers check this out She has a article coming out in Esquire in Feb. http://www.windstream.net/wind/portal/index.aspx…………..
Tewise: The link isn’t working. Can you try to post it again?
We have a better chance of changing the house side here in Az. Kyl just won re-election. McCain has his war chest and not much else.
Yep i just tried it too, sorry, lol, here it goes….
Palin rails against ’anonymous, pathetic bloggers’
2/5/2009 8:29:30 AM
By BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer
Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is still mad at media coverage of her candidacy, particularly “anonymous, pathetic bloggers” who she says spread falsehoods about her.
The Alaska governor also says she’s addicted to Carmex lip balm, grew up playing flute and trombone, and says sports taught her everything she knows. She shared those and other insights in the March issue of Esquire magazine, scheduled to hit newsstands Feb. 16.
In the interview, Palin, who rocketed to fame as John McCain’s running mate in last year’s election, reiterated her complaints about media coverage of the campaign. She said reporters continue to question whether her 9-month-old son, Trig, is actually the child of her 18-year old daughter Bristol from a secret previous pregnancy.
“I’ll tell you, yesterday the Anchorage Daily News, they called again to ask — double-, triple-, quadruple-check — who is Trig’s real mom,” Palin told Esquire. “And I thought, ‘Okay, more indication of continued problems in the world of journalism.’”
Rumors that Bristol was Trig’s mother swirled on the Internet shortly after McCain chose Palin as his running mate. But the mainstream media did not report the story until the McCain campaign announced that Bristol was pregnant, in part to tamp down the rumors about Trig. Bristol delivered a baby boy in December.
In the interview, Palin also reiterated her wish that she had had more input on strategy during the campaign.
“If I were giving advice to myself back on the day my candidacy was announced, I’d say, ‘Tell the campaign that you’ll be callin’ some of the shots. Don’t just assume that they know you well enough to make all your decisions for ya,” Palin said.
On other topics, Palin said she hunts and goes fishing to provide “good clean healthy protein” for her family. Mooseburger is the secret to a good chili recipe, she said.
“I don’t know if you can get it commercially in New York,” Palin said. “Come up here to my home, and I’ll prepare it for ya.”
Palin said she named Bristol in part for Bristol, Conn. — home of the sports network ESPN.
“When I was in high school, my desire was to be a sportscaster,” she said. “Until I learned that you’d have to move to Bristol, Connecticut. It was far away. So instead, I had a daughter and named her Bristol.”
———
On the Net:
http://www.esquire.com
hhmm I posted the story but I guess it was directed to AKM, give it little bit maybe AKM will see it and post it for me.
I found it Tewise.
http://www.esquire.com/the-side/qa/sarah-palin-quotes-011309
She’s blathers the same things over and over and over again. She has nothing new to say. But visitng the site and their nasty girl pictures, one must wonder if Palin is doin’ some not so motherly poses for the magazine. It looks like that’s what they do…
see if this works, it is only a little bit of the story, the rest is about babies and her campaign, ……..Palin rails against ’anonymous, pathetic bloggers’
2/5/2009 8:29:30 AM
By BETH FOUHY Associated Press Writer
Former Republican vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin is still mad at media coverage of her candidacy, particularly “anonymous, pathetic bloggers” who she says spread falsehoods about her.
The Alaska governor also says she’s addicted to Carmex lip balm, grew up playing flute and trombone, and says sports taught her everything she knows. She shared those and other insights in the March issue of Esquire magazine, scheduled to hit newsstands Feb. 16.
Seriously, I just went back again. Take a peek around Esquire and you have to wonder what a “conservative” like Palin is doing even talking to these folks. Pants down with bottoms in your face, it’s like Playboy with panties. This is the “media” she respects enough to do an interview with?
Ok good glad you found it, I am about tired of being called pathetic, lol. I am maybe a little bit pitiful but never pathetic, bless me tiny little heart,
Paula Cochran your right i was seriously surprised, it didn’t used to be that way. But actually she says one thing but acts in another way it does appear she does belong to the group. For a woman that wants to be taken serious, she sure does play the sex kitten part when dealing with men or men in the media.
The earlier link Tewise posted had the periods after it incorporated into the code somehow. Here is a clean version: http://www.windstream.net/wind/portal/index.aspx
Full article at: http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/sarah-palin-interview-0309
Favorite quote from Esquire article: “Hot? If only people could see me as I come in from a run early in the morning without a trough full of makeup on, I think that they’d have a different opinion.”
Trough full of makeup really says it all, doesn’t it?
Interesting reporting technique for an “interview”. Publish only the answers, not the questions. Makes for a rather disjointed effect. You can only wonder whether she actually answered the questions she was asked, or whether she just threw a bunch of completely random stuff out there.
And they did it with a bunch of people, including another recent mayor of Wasilla:
http://www.esquire.com/features/what-ive-learned/dianne-keller-wasilla-0109
I wonder what the question was that elicited the answer: “You know how kids always seem to be drawn to somebody that may not be good for them? I had a friend like that when I was about twelve. My mom forbid me to hang out with that girl. For the first week, I was very angry. But then I noticed that I wasn’t getting into trouble, and maybe my parents were smarter than me.”
Okay, I’ll chill now…
The use of the word Exxon is worse than any obscenity I can imagine. They’ve also been given carte blanche to a couple more oil field exploration areas here (Pt. Thompson) when they should be completely banned from ever again doing business, whether as themselves or by proxy, in the State of Alaska.
I trust no one who is employed by, works with, or invests in that particular corporation, whose very name makes me ill.
can someone PLEASE, make her STFU?
In the context of a man’s magazine, blowing little and big instruments- she’s gotta know what she’s sounding like- sportsy girl ‘n all.
But her blogger adjectives-
her real problem begins with another “a”- not anonymous but articulate. We come to blogs because of our own experiences and understandings, and we gain from the discussions the skill to express ourselves more articulately- speaking to senators or grouches in post offices.
As for blogging in our jammies, I think more of us blog naked- bravely revealing our real feelings and beliefs here.
And pathetic- we hold up mirrors- is this what she sees?
LOL!!!!!!!!! Love that she falls to sleep with Willow reading to her. Willow must be like, WTF? I waited all day long to read to you and you care so much you just doze off?
And after reading Palins interview, be sure to check out “Everything you always didn’t want to know about excessive shaving, plus bad online-dating profiles and friends who love hookers.” This is her new platform? Gotta love it.
@Paula Cochran (10:19:24) :
That was Piper who was reading to her, not Willow.
Sarah Palin reminds me of a drug crazed stripper – she lies , throws away perfectly good clothes , will say or do anything to get her way , is a sneak , and hangs around with rich dirty old men.
Sorry, I was laughing so hard I got mixed up. Just envisioned this poor kids realizing her mom was asleep. And who can keep track of all those kids with their very unusual names anyway?????????
@Paula Cochran (10:53:18) :
Good point! LOL!
Morning Everyone,
Here’s another story….
http://anonymousbloggers.wordpress.com/life-without-running-water-in-nunam-iqua-alaska/
Enjoy!
Ann S.
Employee Free Choice? Not sure what that is, but I do know that a union shop doesn’t give employees free choice, unless they’ve changed the requirement that you pay dues regardless of your choice.
Now, not that I’m against unions or better pay, but I have heard horror stories from union people. So I’d really like the “Free Choice” part please.
Thanks Ann. Enjoyed that much more than Palins out of touch blather.
Lots of work to do a little.
We homesteaded for a while, so know what your going through. We had no water, plumbing, electric or phone. For the most part we loved it, but eventually came back to the other world and that’s goo to. Hard to be a write and make money w/out computer & the net.
I am still so excited about our new Senator, Lots of interesting things to read.
I hope that Lisa can be pursuaded. I will write her a letter today, I have a feeling I will hear from her before I hear from Sarah.
The only way to get her to reply, SP, is to make her think you back her up. I sent her an email regarding a question about myself, DIDNT get any reply back. Then I signed up for Sarah PAC, under a different name, it was completely different. I never seen anyone so two faced.
Let us hope this passes.
“The Alaska governor also says she’s addicted to Carmex lip balm, grew up playing flute and trombone, and says sports taught her everything she knows. She shared those and other insights in the March issue of Esquire magazine, scheduled to hit newsstands Feb. 16.”
______________________________________
If sports taught her everything she knows, no wonder she couldn’t name any magazines/newspapers that she reads.
AlaskaGuy (11:16:29) :
Employee Free Choice? Not sure what that is, but I do know that a union shop doesn’t give employees free choice, unless they’ve changed the requirement that you pay dues regardless of your choice.
Now, not that I’m against unions or better pay, but I have heard horror stories from union people. So I’d really like the “Free Choice” part please.
_____________________________________________________________
I was a 29+ year teacher, member of NEA and whatever state organzation, depending on where I taught. Our “union” worked hard with the school district on pay, insurance, hours, class loads, environment, you name it. Most of the time it was not adversarial, just both groups trying to make public schools better. Teachers who didn’t pay NEA dues got all the benefits, and didn’t have to pay for any of it. Some I understood; money was tight. Others didn’t care- they saw it as a free benefit.
I know of other work places that have unions- members can opt out of paying the political portion of their dues, if they chose to do so.
Co almost native
The flute learnin’ didn’t go so well
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0OZ9W2K_z0
OMG, my poor ears. Watch and apologise to your ears afterwards.
I don’t want any on to think I’m a troll – but there is another side to this issue. I’ve managed in several union and non-union organizations. There are no blanket statements to be made, but I can tell you people were off base when they were talking about the average wage of the Detroit Automakers making them uncompetitive. It is not the wages – it’s the work rules – and that is where Unions shoot themselves in the foot. They fail to realize that we are in a global economy and that what might have worked after world war II can’t work any longer. Those world economies that were decimated back then are back to full strength and then some. Unions often cling to narrow job descriptions in the mistaken idea that this creates more jobs. They object to every attempt by companies to improve their operations to stay competative. In union shops I’ve managed, the wages have never been the issue – it is the resistance to change in an enviroment where your competitors are changing at the speed of light. I have worked in non-union organizations where we could and did pay higher wages because we were able to do the things that made us more productive faster than our competitors could.
It’s nice to quote all those numbers about how wages would go up if there were more unions, but that is deeply flawed thinking. Wages can ONLY go up relative to inflation when productivity goes up. Nations with lower productivity will always have low standards of living. Any math beyond that fails to address reality. You may see imbalances for a time, like in the auto industry, but eventually the real world prevails. If a company is constantly battling it’s workers to make productivity improvements – how could anyone believe those workers wages could increase faster than workers who are working in concert with management to improve productivity. It is IMPOSSIBLE. What will really happen is that most of those companies will go out of business. When negotiating Union contracts, I tried my best to explain to the union folks that real job security was not dependent on the contract they negotiated, it was dependent on the financial success of the business. No contract bought anyone job security with a company that went out of business. (I’ve seen some proud union employees looking for a job after they “really showed the who was boss” and put them out of business – or so they thought. I also hold the opinion that most companies that have unions deserve them)
I know this sounds harsh, but I have been around the block. I can tell you that the people who have worked for me in non-union environments have without question made more money and have been hands down much happier with there work life and felt better about their contribution than those in union organizations. I’m not saying Unions did not play their role – they were an important factor 40 and 50 years ago – and they still have a role to play today in a few areas. But if anyone believes unions are the answer to what ails us and our economy, or that they will be responsible for improving our standard of living (or even their standard of living) – I’d ask you to think about that analytically and not emotionally. I will say it again – people’s standard of living can only improve through increased productivity. Until Unions turn their focus on that issue around 180 degrees (in deeds and not just words), they are merely a part of what ails us as a country – not a solution. I hate to go here, but unions today are much as I view the NRA. They are long past fighting for the cause – fighting for the people – they are fighting for the Union and the organization. The NRA does not want solutions – they want a fight – because a fight is what brings money in and supports their organization. Without a fight, there is no reason for the NRA. Many – I’d venture to say Most – of today’s unions are in similar waters. They are fighting for the organization and not the people. I could spend a day discussing things I’ve seen that would leave you shaking your head.
I must admit that I don’t know the details of the Employee free choice act, but from what I’ve read, it gives the option of getting rid of the secrete ballot in the unionizing process. Most employers are against this because peer pressure makes it very difficult for an employee to say no when face to face with someone trying to organize. Much easier to say yes even when you believe no. Believe it or not, support of management is not a popular position even in great organizations. I think the belief is that a few loud voices could force something upon the majority through coercion if you get rid of the secrete ballot. If you’ve ever been through a union certification or de-certification process, you would realize that the company must already live by a very stringent set of rules. You can’t say anything negative about the union and you can’t make any promises to employees. The unions however have no such rules. The can and do say everything negative about management as they can. In my own experience, the biggest issue the union was pushing was; “Management is being too nice to you – don’t trust them….” The union can and do also make promises that they could never have a chance of delivering on. It should be no surprise to anyone that companies that want to remain competitive and in business already believe the balance is tipped in favor of the unions and would lobby against tilting the balance ever further by allowing direct coercion of their employees (And never forget that the employees work for the company – not the union).
I realize this is one person’s perspective drawn from years on one side of the table. I come from a large family all on the other side, a group of friends many on the other side – and I started my work life on the other side of the same table. I believe I understand both sides – but I also know I can’t be completely unbiased. I’d just ask people to consider that there might be another side to all of this.
@CO almost native and waxman
I understand the pros and cons, and it seems to me that they’re in about an equal measure, so I’m pretty ambivalent to the whole issue. However, it’s the notion of “Employee Free Choice” that brings a wry smile to my face.
AlaskaGuy:
I’ve been “Forced” by the union to fire very good employees who just decided they did not want to pay their union dues. Not all states have right to work laws. Try to fire the worst employee you have, however, who does pay his/her dues and you’re in for some time. You are absolutely right – in most cases – except in right to work states – there is no free choice. In right to work states, the union must negotiate for everyone – even if they don’t pay dues. My experience there is union reps filing grievances in the name of non-dues paying members without their request or consent and the Non dues paying people constantly at odds with the union. Like I say, Unions have had their place, and still do in some cases, but until they decide to be part of the solution to improving the competitiveness of our industries, we will continue to hemorrhage jobs. You can’t live with work rules that get in the way of productivity – and it is not in your own interest as a society to do so.
Wow!
A lot to digest there waxman, I too have been on both sides for over 50 years, mostly in the union, but also as a manager on one occasion. My last few years before retirement I worked as a union officer in concert with management, including senior officers of a fortune 500 company, to create a more productive workplace. After years of an adversarial relationship including 2 strikes, management and the union did learn how to cooperate to their mutual advantage. I had as much resistance from my coworkers as anyone, but our location proved to set an example for safety and productivity for the rest of our division.
I’ve been retired for seven years now, and the the operation is still in the black.
As an aside, when I first started working there, there were 700 employees, when I retired there were less than 400 employees (mostly through attrition) with more than double the former total product. I guess it really as a Win-Win project.
As far as the Esquire article, I haven’t shaved since 1970, and I prefer Sarah Shahi to Sarah Palin.
Duncan -I think they’re talking about that other kind of shaving. Haha!
Union: In PA Unions protect jobs, of course there are always losers who cannot be fired. But if you are not in a union you can be fired at any time for any reason with no legal protection. Boss hates chubby chikcs? Fired. Boss hates you politics? Fired. No questions asked. No room to sue.
A little balance all around would be helpful to all.
Where my hubby works now, they run kind of like a Union shop w/out a Union. Companies that offer the same standards w/out the Union seem to do quite well.
Yeah, that estate tax keeps wealth from being concentrated in too few hands. Oh wait, we already have that! So let’s make it even easier to concentrate it even further here.
Iceland was having protests over the screw ups in the government and the sub-prime mortgage junk they invested in. If the US keeps it up, we may be faced with more than just protests.
—-OT—-
From the SP answers on the Esquire website:
This is what I’ve been telling Bristol, before she gets married, is, Bristol, there are definitely gonna be tough parts in marriage. You have to look at those tough times and remember that you have essentially a business contract with this person. You’ve signed an agreement: You’re going to be together. And you look at it that way as you work through the tough times, because I guarantee the better.
Wow, what a romantic. I have an MBA and wouldn’t have called marriage a business contract. My parents have been married 49 years and bicker from time to time, but my dad knows marrying my mom was the smartest thing he ever did.
Don’t get me wrong – I don’t blame the workers for challenges I’ve seen with unions. As I said, most companies who have unions deserve them. If they were treating their people right in the first place, they likely would not have ended up with a union. However, once you’re there – it can become a challenge to make the changes needed to succeed – and tough to build any trust between management and the workers.
Duncan – I appreciate your input. I know it can work – and I see more push in that direction. My last company union has moved a long way in the right direction- but they have seen their ranks shrink to 1/3 of what they were 10 years ago. The non-union force is 1/4 of what it was. At some point it becomes obvious to all parties that constantly arguing about every change you want to make to try to be more competitive becomes mute when you run out of people with jobs to argue with. Companies are successful (at least with those that have competition) because every employee understands the vision – buys into it – and does everything they can to contribute to the full extent of their talents and capabilities. I am a believer in people and I believe a very high percent of the people would prefer to bring their best game every day. However, the rules often cater to the least common denominator – not the best and that can sour a lot of good people.
I have great faith in people. My challenge with unions has been the way in which they have sought to eliminate that relationship between management and the worker. Remember that if there is no distrust between the parties, there is no reason for the union – and that is very dangerous for the union organization.
Didn’t mean to rant on this issue – but it is an issue I have an opinion on. I recognize there are others and I respect those opinions. I just don’t think that the past philosophy of us against them that I’ve seen in union organizations is the path to solving our ailments as a country – it is definitely the politics of division. So when I see people saying all will be well if we make it even easier to push unions onto an organization – I tend to roll my eyes. I’m not suggesting it be made more difficult, but eliminating the secret ballot election process does strike me as a step in the wrong direction – and I certainly understand why the Manufacturers would want to lobby against it.