Labor Unions (Boise, Idaho Falls: real estate, for sale, income)

[California Carl]

Originally Posted by RodFarlee

No, Idaho is a late adopter of the "Right to Work" or "Open Shop" law. Voters adopted it by referendum in 1986. It had been discussed for years, as our neighboring states (NV, UT, WY) had RTW since the 1950s. The momentum to pass it grew when Steelworkers headquarters overruled a vote by members of the local, leading to the closure of Bunker Hill mine and the loss of 1500 union jobs, and thousands of others.

Idaho's economy had been flat before RTW. In the years since, rates of job creation, income growth, and increased health insurance coverage in Idaho have been higher than in our neighboring states overall (and near twice as high as in our non-RTW neighbors OR, MT, WA). Perhaps RTW isn't why, it certainly didn't hurt.

That is an interesting perspective. I would'nt know if the RTW law helped Idaho or not, but it does seem to keep wages down.
I did notice that the Boise area was very nice and people seemed to be thriving so...
Thanks for your thoughts.

[California Carl]

Originally Posted by proeye

That's a lot of facts that I think most people are aware of. What do you think should be done about it? No one has ever been able to organize a union since they seem to have the ability to convince enough employees through threats and intimidation to not join. Personally, I think they should keep trying because it's about the only thing that will bring down the company.

And maybe that's why it hasn't worked since most people know this. But I would love to see Wal-Mart take a big dent in it's side since they have for too long been intimidators and it's not right.

I worked with them for a year and the way they do business is wrong. The unfortunate thing is that they have captured too much of a niche market (what I think--the lower to middle class) that they will continue to do what they are doing until someone knocks them off their perch.

The reason Wal-Mart works and how they are able to build so many stores in places that just defy explanation is because they are able to control their costs and make a profit where none seems possible. If their costs increase even a little, because of labor unions for example, they will take a step backward bigtime. I think they are operating on the fringe and just about anything major will cause them to slow down.

Hey, I hand it to them. It's the American way. But I would love it, and the American consumer would love it, if they had more competition. People think they are getting low prices. HAH! Baloney. If they had stiff competition not only would you see lower prices but also better products.

Tell me if I'm wrong...

So maybe Idaho is not the right state to encourage labor unions--especially at Wal-Mart? Wal-Mart is a kind of conservative enclave so it's probably not going to happen there...

I believe there was a Wal-Mart store near the Great Lakes that voted to go Union. Wal-Mart closed the store and layed everyone off.

[proeye]

Originally Posted by California Carl

I believe there was a Wal-Mart store near the Great Lakes that voted to go Union. Wal-Mart closed the store and layed everyone off.

I don't think it works if it is store by store. It has to be nationwide... But unions haven't done much for years so I don't expect the situation to change.

[California Carl]

Sad, but true. Membership in all but the Government sector has dropped.

[huntman58]

Originally Posted by California Carl

has Idaho always been a right to work state? Why are so many people against Unions? I guess most of them don't know that they have unions to thank for their 40 hour work week, overtime pay and safe work conditions to just name a few.

Your right most do not know or do not want to admit there work hours, pay, benefits all came from the work done by unions years ago. If you look at retirement and pay now days yes it has gone up but not even close to the rate the cost of living has. This is also why Idaho tries hard to attract lots of small business. If they get them to come in its see how many new jobs we have but nothing about pay or benefits. Just ask some young people how they feel about there pay and opportunity for staying in Idaho and owning a home raising a family some day. What I see in Idaho is calif less then 15 years ago but on a fast track to get ahead not some thing to brag about in my book. By the way best paying job I ever had in Idaho was a union job the rest played the same be it flipping burgers or 13 year as a journeyman in a skilled job field. That is the reason I left my old field and went in to a new one working for the city bus company. Better pay and benefits with retirement

[California Carl]

So, it sounds like the odds of getting a good union job in the trades would be hard to come by. Maybe I should just open my own business instead...

[HotIdahoProperties]

A lot of people here in Idaho are upset about becoming a right to work state. For me I don't have an opinion. I do believe that people have a choice where they go to work. Even those who are working for Wal-Mart.. they have a choice..either work for them, or work elsewhere...It seems like the employees at our local store are all happy..there are a lot of faces that have been there quite some time..

Any way..Unions are strong in the grocery field, and of course Potlatch is union. Union wages in CA verses ID are not comparable. I know that in the UFCW.. CA journeymen make around $18 an hr? and Idaho at $14..

[CafeDelSol]

Last I heard, Idaho has average wages right on par with Arkansas and Mississippi. That's really pathetic when you consider we have one of the highest millionaire per capita levels in the country. This means the wealthy business owners are taking advantage of their workers by paying them slave labor wages with ever-decreasing benefits. The unions that still exist here are attacked constantly by hostile employers. This includes major employers like the Idaho National Laboratory which is constantly cutting pay and benefits as much as possible. I would seriously seek employment elsewhere if money is a big consideration. Idaho is a nice place to live but you have to weigh the financial negatives into your decision.

[California Carl]

Thanks for your input Del Sol. It is too bad more people don't see what is happening to our country. What will they do with all these people when they are too old to work and have little or no money to retire on? Are they counting on Social Security?
I still want to move up there, but it sounds like I'd be better off opening my own company.
I am in construction, an Electrician, and a Union member.
I concider myself very fortunate to have had the opportunity to go through the apprenticeship program a be in the union as long as I have.

[chitowner]

Hey CC, unions are still strong in Chicago there's building going on everywhere in the city.Hows California?