Do unions need a reality check???? (how much, school district, wages)

[buildordie]

OK, Maybe I wrong, but it seems to me that we are in the worse recession since the great depression and yet the unions threaten to strike if they don’t get their wage increased.

They make very good money to begin with. Why can't they place a freeze on wages increases? I am not saying take money or packages away from union members, like most of having to endure with pay-cuts and decreased benefits, but just cool it for a year until we are out of this mess.

[sgresident]

I would say, Yes. they definitely need a reality check. Just read some articles in the local newspaper about the school district here having to cut 3 million from the budget and the fact that the next year pay increase for all the teachers will cost 1.5 million.

[myrc60]

At a time when lots of non-union workers are taking pay cuts, benefit cuts and losing jobs, yes, unions need to cool it for awhile. Unions used to be useful but now many of them are just another level of bureaucracy lining someone's pockets needlessly. I'm not saying all unions are useless but I think many are. I live in South Carolina where the union was kicked out of a new Boeing plant in order to win the new Boeing 787 plant and agree that it was the right move for our state.

[ManheimMadman]

Absolutely. I am extremely anti-union (which, as a teacher, is surprising to some).

The nature of politics within the teacher's union is sickening, to say the least.

[cubssoxfan]

To an extent, I agree. However, only if the higher wage earning white collar workers agree to freezes or cuts also. One for all and all for one

[buildordie]

Originally Posted by myrc60

At a time when lots of non-union workers are taking pay cuts, benefit cuts and losing jobs, yes, unions need to cool it for awhile. Unions used to be useful but now many of them are just another level of bureaucracy lining someone's pockets needlessly. I'm not saying all unions are useless but I think many are. I live in South Carolina where the union was kicked out of a new Boeing plant in order to win the new Boeing 787 plant and agree that it was the right move for our state.

I agree Myrc60, I watched the news this morning and out in philly the transits workers are ready to strike , but are patting themselves on the back because they won't strike until the world series is over. Not caring that their increase will mean higher fares for everyday people.

[myrc60]

As a good employee I received raises in the range of 4-5% each year but after 10+ years on the job it nearly priced me out of my position and caused my employer to raise the rates they charged their customers. Some customers said we can't afford that and quit using our services; if that cycle repeats itself eventually no one will be able to afford it.

[linicx]

When we retired from a union shop after 37 years, the average doctor's office call was #25.00. Now it is $175. It was and still is an out of pocket expense. Pensions do not receive a COL increase. It makes no difference what the economy does, or how much profit the company makes. As long as there is a union, there is a fight to be won. Companies are very ruthless when it comes to trimming fat. The cost of the pension is the first to be trimmed. The retirement package of today is nothing like the retirement packages 30 years ago, but neither are the harsh working conditions with no protective gear. .

Our company had a several billion dollar earnings 3Q.. The benefit we get as retirees is to drive .50 miles to fill a prescription unless our union can convince them to reconsider rural employees who do not live in the 'network'.

There are two sides to every story. The media side is only one skewed sound byte of one side. The unions are not created equal. Most are no more alike than a cat and a boat as they serve different sections of society; OSHA rules do not always apply anymore than HEPA does. . Some unions are weak, some are strong. Strong companies and strong unions are dependent upon each other whether they like the marriage or not for more than just money. Union life is not the Garden of Eden, but on the other hand the employee with soke years invested has more job security than the guy who worked 30 years for a non-unions shop and two weeks before he retired with a full pensions. he was given a pink slip, a lame excuse*and a final check.

Sadly Few federal laws protect employees; today few companies value loyal employees. Job security and a pension plan are nearly a thing of the past.

[gardener34]

"earning white collar workers agree to freezes or cuts also"... yeah this has been pretty much a done deal for most people for the last two years working at most corporations. No 401K matching, no pensions anymore, no raises, no promotions - SOP now.

[linicx]

Yes, many corporations froze or reduced top level salaraise, froze middle management salaries, enacted a freee on hew hires, and also laid off blue and white collar employees. It is standard practice. In some areas it is beginning to show a very slight reversal with the rehire of some laid off employees.