Union member outraged by inference
I am a proud member of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Our union’s membership is diverse regarding race, religion and political affiliation. (Yes Virginia, there are Republican union members.)
My fellow union members and I are the workers who clean the buildings, take care of the sick and elderly, plow the roads, guard the prisoners, etc. We advocate for decent wages, affordable health care and safe working conditions.
I am outraged at the insinuation that dirty, underhanded and strongarm tactics are involved in our attempts to achieve these ends! (“GOP points finger at union revelations,” Sept. 5.) We work hard and take pride in our jobs.
My concern is not that there will be a union raid on the state budget — as Senate Minority Leader Andy McElhany, R-Colorado Springs, fears — but that the budget will continue to be balanced on the back of the workers.
Vicky Hardy, Denver
ok Vicky, you also will not let a person work unless they are union, you force them to be union to work. That is using strong handed tactics, unions also say if that if they don't get their way they will stop the DNC from coming to Colorado, what do you call that? Unions force pay raises even for those who do NOT deserve them ie teachers.
Posted by Nick on September 12, 2007 12:19 AMGet a grip on reality Ms Hardy. Even though the days of beating up the opposition have passed, unions are still thugs forcing their way on other workers, employers and the state. You threaten and coerce in order to get your way. If your unions hadn't bought off the party in power you wouldn't be crying for compassion now because the politicians wouldn't be selling out the citizen's of this state to line your pockets and buy your votes.
Posted by CA on September 12, 2007 01:06 AMHey Nick, the unions already made a backroom agreement with Hickenlooper, and Ritter. Unless you are union you will ot work the convention. I recieved this info from inside workers who are union and doing the convention. Ask around and find out for yourself. Unions have already strong armed the convention.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 01:08 AMNo inference intended. You're thieves with politicians bought and paid for.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 01:08 AMGod love unions -- nobody else does except the sheep that join them and the governors and legislators they buy off.
Your quote of "I am outraged at the insinuation that dirty, underhanded and strongarm tactics are involved in our attempts to achieve these ends!", would be accurate if you replaced "outrage" with "proud", and removed the word "insinuation" because you do that strongarm and dirty tactics, along with underhanded stuff pretty damn good.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 01:26 AMlets see the last report I saw said colorado union state employees are making more than their counterparts in other similar sized cities.
we see the union workers of the cities and state standing around every day 'working'.
I have always wondered why CDOT crews take 3 people and two vichels to drive the highways and one person wipes the reflectors clean on the post along side the road. now that is a good union job.
If it's not required to join a union in order to gain the decent salary and benefits obtained by the negotiations of paying union members, then obviously no one will want to join the union. As more and more union members then opt out of the union, (Hey, they're not paying -- why should I?) the union itself will go away and leave all workers at the mercy of employers who will take said benefits away to save money. This has happened time and again.
Something to think about. A strong union is very important at many jobsites.
Posted by Tom on September 12, 2007 06:20 AMBut when workers unionize and the industry is already facing intense competition or for some other reason their profit margins aren't that high, companies go out of business and people lose their jobs altogether.
Look at long-struggling steel (whose unions along with protection laws also managed to help hijack the American automobile industry to an extent). And if we protect these industries form foreign competition, it is our consumers that lose.
It is no coincidence that our production and quality of living as a national average have continued to climb while the percentage of American workers who belong to unions has been dropping for over two decades running.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 06:35 AMUnions fund organized crime.
Posted by Keith on September 12, 2007 07:20 AMPaid more, and when they suck as workers, no one can fire them.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 07:40 AMDon't forget the comsumers will have to pay higher prices because of the incompetence.
Posted by Keith on September 12, 2007 07:46 AMWhat a bunch of assine comments. Grow up Keith.
Posted by What? on September 12, 2007 07:51 AMState workers have no competition. So when they want more and strike, where do the consumers, i.e. taxpayers, go to get their services? The only sector of the economy growing with union membership is govt employees. Govt employees have a better retirement plan then most private employees, and their work rules don't allow incompetent, lazy, workers to be easily dismissed. Disband govt unions!
Posted by Brad on September 12, 2007 07:57 AMThe entire planet is experiencing accelerating globalization accompanied by firece price competition that requires strong productivity gains. In sharp contrast, unions have no battleplan, no plan for survival in the 21st century. They stand for seniority, work rules, vacations, benefits and the next 15-minute break, not high product quality at the lowest possible price. As such, they are productivity killers and at odd with the new global environment. They provide the formula for failure, not success.
No wonder why not one (ZERO) foreign auto nameplate (like Toyota, Volkswagen and Subaru, etc.) made in the USA by American workers is unionized. Every time (100% so far) a union vote comes up, its gets defeated.
Union membeship has declined by over 50% during the past few decades and a lot more in the private economy. They belong to Jurassic Park.
Remember...UAW=U Ain't Workin'.
Posted by Hank on September 12, 2007 08:10 AMThe entire planet is experiencing accelerating globalization accompanied by firece price competition that requires strong productivity gains. In sharp contrast, unions have no battleplan, no plan for survival in the 21st century. They stand for seniority, work rules, vacations, benefits and the next 15-minute break, not high product quality at the lowest possible price. As such, they are productivity killers and at odds with the new global environment. Unions provide the formula for failure, not success.
No wonder why not one (ZERO) foreign auto nameplate (like Toyota, Volkswagen and Subaru, etc.) made in the USA by American workers is unionized. Every time (100% so far) a union vote comes up, its gets defeated.
Union membership has declined by over 50% during the past few decades and a lot more in the private economy. They are associated with and are the primary cause of many of America's failed or sunset industries. Unions belong to Jurassic Park.
Remember...UAW = U Ain't Workin'.
Posted by Hank on September 12, 2007 08:15 AMTom said, "A strong union is very important at many jobsites."
Doesn't apply to government jobs where they're already coddled and overpaid for the work they do. This is just political payback to the goons who help finance and support Ritter and his crews.
If this payola goes through it will be remembered come election time.
Posted by on September 12, 2007 09:56 AM3rd poster told the truth "the unions already made a backroom agreement with Hickenlooper, and Ritter"
We get all the OT we want during the DNC because what the Democrats don't pickup, Denver and Colorado will. Nobody but union members can work it.
Its about time we got something back after all the money the union clips us for to buyoff politicians. I had to join the union to get my job. after too many years stuck with the union I'm quitting after the DNC payoff and staring my own business where I might have to work a lot harder but what I earn will be mine and not the union bosses
Posted by "Happy" Union Member on September 12, 2007 10:27 AMThere is less accountability and more incompetence in non-union work. I have done both and that is my experience.
Posted by Frank on September 12, 2007 10:30 AMI thank the union workers of bygone days for fighting for the better working conditions we in America enjoy today.
On the other hand, it is time to make MAJOR changes to the system if I am going to support them anymore. It is a fact... sad, but true, that TODAY'S unions create and reward mediocrity and laziness.
Posted by Sheila on September 12, 2007 10:49 AMI am a federal employee, and from what I have seen the union is 99% of the time in bed with management. Unless you are a coal miner - there is no need for a union. That is unless you enjoy paying to get screwed over
Posted by JEn on September 12, 2007 10:51 AMOverpaid teachers? Nick? Did you read the post with this "vichels " in it? Maybe teachers need to be paid more so your kids can learn how to spell. Unions don't pay as much as other non-union contributors.
Posted by Tim on September 13, 2007 01:29 PMOverpaid teachers? Nick? Did you read the post with "vichels " in it? Maybe teachers need to be paid more so your kids can learn how to spell. Unions don't pay as much as other non-union contributors.
Posted by Tim on September 13, 2007 01:30 PMOK People, lets not get hysterical. For every dollar a union member contributes, corporations contribute 15. REALLY, who owns the government? Unions have been responsible for creating the middle class, inventing weekends and stopping child labor in this country. Both the mine disasters in this country were at non-union mines, why? because unions are tasked with keeping members safe. Do just a little research before you type!
Posted by Tina Desautels on September 14, 2007 05:57 PM