Pro-union bill
Unions over the course of the last quarter
The value of unions in modern times is questionable at best. For example, the airline industry
The Democratic Convention will be held in Denver next year, specifically in the Pepsi Arena, a non-union shop. Was a compromise made between union officials and the democrats to fast track HB1072 so the convention could be held here?
I believe individuals should have the right to either join or not join unions, and never should they be force to do so.
HB1072 should be stopped in its track as nothing more than graft for the few.
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If someone needs a union member to make their voting decisions for them then they shouldn't be allowed to vote. If you need someone to fight your battles for you, then that's your business. I, however, do not. I CHOOSE to stay out of those mafioso shops for a reason. Don't force your religion down my throat.
Posted by Michele on February 5, 2007 05:05 PMMajority rule right? Or are we in China? If the majority of people vote for a union, then so be it. Unions are needed now more than ever. Americans have far fewer employment RIGHTS than most countries. People assume otherwise based on the high living standards that UNIONS fought and died to get them. But job security is deep trouble for many people and unions have a place in a FREE society - and yes, agree. don't shove your religion down my throat.
Posted by Tim on February 5, 2007 11:24 PMMr. Karl suggests that successful airlines are limited to non-union operations. If this is true, how does he explain the success of Southwest Airlines which is heavily unionized? It's time that those that oppose and, in some cases, even hate unions, realize that the real reason for many of the troubles that a business has is due to abysmal management.
Businesses should stop trying to blame their employees for the egregious decisions of management.
Posted by Thomas on February 6, 2007 02:33 AMWhy is it that pro-union people believe they have won some hard-fought battle and all American workers owe them some debt of gratitude and should be forced to join their union? If your union has done so much and attained such great benefits for the American worker, I believe it would be self-evident and their wouldn't be a need to force this change to the Labor Peace Act because most people would willingly join. One writer asks if this is Majority Rule or China? Well, it's neither this is America where each person stands on their own merit. The greatness of the American Worker is not based upon mob-rule, but rather individual achievement.
Posted by Richard on February 6, 2007 03:52 AMMy husband has been a union carpenter for 25 years.It has afforded us a middle class living with benefits.
I disagree with this bill. I didn't want to see one penny of my husbands dues go to political campaigns.
I'll tell you what this bill is .It is a bully bill and un-american. Choice should always be given to a worker whether to pay dues or not. Whether to join a union or not. My husband made his choice,not some government bill paid for with union dues.
I'll tell you another reason why this is so important to the unions.
When they hold union elections to vote for representatives and president and so on. Those reps are supposed to be out on the streets trying to recruit new members and try to get businesses to join the union, That is there job.Instead the sit on their asses collecting a paycheck for nothing.
This bill will make their jobs alot easier.
Unions are not bad,this is a bad bill.
Posted by Union Wife on February 6, 2007 07:13 AMTim can you explain to me what employment rights are? Are you saying that someone who works for me has the right to that employement? I hire people based on a need in my business. I look for very qualified people and ones who are willing to work. My past experience with unions is they always protect the lazy unproductive worker. I can give a pay raise based on performace of the person and not by some deal the union said everyone will get. When in a union that person gets what everyone else does and it doesnt matter how hard they work or goof off.
But worker rights? Give me a break, as a business owner I understand that if I treat my employees fair and just, they will treat me the same way. Unions demand rights and then defend a union member who doesnt live up to those rights by saying its managements fault. Unions call their extortion tactics benefits, when they are really demands. There was once a time when unions did help out the common man and helped them move forward. In todays work enviornment employers understand market conditions and what it takes to get qualified and quality workers.
If anyone cares, and I am sure most of you dont, what I think this is about is the inability of the unions to break into Wal-Mart as that is a company that is hated by the unions and the democrats equally. With this bill it will give them the added power to get in the door and set in motion the decline of another American company. Dont think so look at the auto makers.
Have a wonderful day Tim and the rest of the union workers out there.
If union membership is so beneficial to the workers why is it necessary for the legislature to make a law requiring membership...hmmm
Posted by Jake Painter on February 6, 2007 01:07 PMI'm not aware of special working rights in the carpenter's union.My husband has built an excellent work reputation and is never out of work.
He tells me often a person was fired today because he wasn't any good.That happens within the carpenter's union all the time.
Some guys are known slackers and known for their poor workmanship or missing days etc...Those guys are usually fired.I've never heard my husband complain about a company keeping a guy who is a bad carpenter.
In the carpenters union you don't have that job security. You either produce or your outta there.
It may be different for other unions like the teachers union or others.If you are in the carpenters union you can be fired at will.
Posted by Union Wife on February 6, 2007 01:11 PMTake a lesson from Wal-Mart - highly successful organization - try to unionize their operations and they will shut the doors of the business that provides jobs in your area.
Posted by Sheryl on February 6, 2007 01:39 PMSheryl suggests that if an attempt is made to unionize a business should/would shut down operations and thus cost the community jobs; a tactic and threat commonly used by Wal-Mart.
It should be remembered that it is the employees that vote in an election to determine if they wish to be represented by a union. This is a matter of employees deciding their own fate. This sounds like the very definition of democracy.
As far as losing the jobs that a business provides, one must ask if the jobs are worth preserving. If the jobs are low level, low pay, no insurance type Mcjobs, then we are only swelling the ranks of the working poor. The continued loss of good jobs to offshoring, low wage employers and other causes is one one of the things that is eroding the American middle class. The effect on the overall economy cannot possibly be good.
Posted by Thomas Night Owl on February 7, 2007 02:15 AM