Thread: UNIONS—-DO THEY PROTECT OR DESTROY JOBS?

UNIONS—-DO THEY PROTECT OR DESTROY JOBS?
Posted on February 24, 2011 by iceman

Before I start, understand I was a union member for a little over the first 10 years of my working life. I firmly believe that unions are only as good as the INTEGRITY of the members and their leadership. They have to know their limits, this allows co-existence. One of my first jobs after high school (1963) was with the Kroger Co. as a cashier/stock boy. I belonged to the retail clerks union Local 590 (for about 3 years) and at that time the retail grocery business was one of the better paying jobs (well over minimum wage–3.20/hr, while minimum wage was 1.00/hr). With that our truck drivers belonged to Teamsters Local 249 (Allegheny county in Pittsburgh) and their demands got so outrageous that the company moved its warehouse from Pittsburgh to Ohio in the late 1960′s. With this move they also closed about 30% of their stores in the Pittsburgh market and I got laid off. Soon to follow Krogers would be many other MAJOR EMPLOYERS. To name a few—- Thorofare, A&P, Armour Meats along with all meat packing plants in Pittsburgh, also fleeing Pittsburgh were all the main Freight companies (nearly every major trucking company under the jurisdiction of Local 249 fled to another county or another state).

Another industry dismantled by the union was the dairy industry in Pittsburgh Local 205 (that was the second union I belonged to–7 1/2 years). All the milk companies and all the baking companies, Tip Top, Ward, Schwebels, Nickels, Wonder, Braun, Liberty (I can’t remember the rest). This total dismantling of Pittsburgh’s trucking force took 7–10 years and the cost of 1000′s and 1000′s of good paying jobs as well as all the related jobs that fell due to the moves and closures.

At the same time this was unfolding the steel industry unions were also getting GREEDY and the BREAKING POINT would be a 13 week paid vacation every 5 years. Knowing that this benefit was going to be part of the contract steel companies stalled negotiations while setting up steel plants overseas and signed the new contract. Shortly thereafter USS announced it would be closing down about 80-90% of its operations across America and moving overseas (Pittsburgh taking a another MAJOR hit)…another case of 100′s and 100′s of thousands of jobs and the destruction of economies in cities all over America.

While the legacy costs of UAW contracts cause the price of UAW produced autos to be more than their foreign competitors America is now under siege with the LEGACY COSTS for government employees as well as teachers. Remember now—–back in the 60′s union membership was 20% + and now it is between 10-12%, and thru the last 50 year cycle the POWER and DEMANDS of unions first caused companies to relocate by county or state (where the unions were more friendly–not as demanding). Later they caused companies to relocate overseas (where there are NO unions). And now the union legacy costs tied with government employees and teachers without a doubt WILL BANKRUPT AMERICA !!!

This blog is not to be misunderstood as anti-union, but an eye opening comment as to what has happened, and is now happening as you read this little story. This is REALITY. As I did, take a few moments and think back to any and all BIG BUSINESSES that you grew up with, if they are gone (in most cases they are) ask yourself why and draw your own conclusions. While unions are good for workers, they MUST realize where they ultimately will hurt those they represent and act accordingly (this is for the benefit of all). JUST THINK ABOUT IT. For all those that think unions are declining because of the fall of percentages from 20%+ down to 12%, think again. The 12% is based on a much larger population that when their numbers were 20%, plus their dues are much higher. So if anything they are much stronger and that is why they never defend their lower percentage. SMART LIKE A FOX. Can’t we all just get along ?

http://billbalsamico.com/blog/

"Here's what I have to say if Obama is in bed with the Unions then the Unions are dirty and I believe Unions are the biggest employers of illegals!"
SEIU, AFL-CIO, ETC...

i think unions are great ! as long as they known their limits .... like what you described above ... sometimes they can go too far and lose all touch with economic reality ....

but on the other side of the coin ... unions fight to keep jobs here in OUR country for american workers ... and on top of that they try to see too it that american workers can make at least a livable wage , and why shouldn't they be able to when the heads of the companie take home millions of dollars each year ...

some unions are anti american such as the AFL CIO which came out against arizona along with the SEIU , but not all unions are like those too ...

I blame the unions for taking dues from hard working Americans and then not protecting those very same jobs by allowing illegals to hold them.

Once the Americans are outnumbered in the jobs, it seems that the union influence and control is lost and the jobs become all illegals. We have had that happen here in the carpet mills and poultry plants. Butchers used to make good money and could support their families but now it is one of the lowest paying and least protected industries. I don't blame the unions totally but they have failed American workers and like big business and both political parties, they are only looking for windfall profits for themselves (the labor bosses) and do not care about the union members. If they did, we would not be in this mess. Where are the unions demanding that the Mexican trucks be stopped? No where.

I find it sickening that so called professional workers - teachers and nurses - are roving with picket signs and fists in the air like Communists amongst the Socialists and Communists and anarchists. I am a nurse with a bachelor's degree and I find it degrading that they have joined the AFL-CIO.

I think in some cases the Unions are a good thing. BUT....some have gotten very greedy, the big 100% pensions and full benefits are out of touch with reality now days. On the other hand, being retired from a large grocery chain...If it wouldn't have been for our union we'd have been on the pay scale right along with Wallmart and had minimum hours and no benefits. I think they have good and bad, depending on which union you're speaking of.