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Because in countries where they are more prevalent, inequality is lower. And lower inequality is for losers right! Because by golly here in America the common worker has too much power!
Wait.....
Yes, SOME unions have acted in their own interests, and not for their members, or their mutual employer.....but thats like saying "some people have shot others, so lets attach these ankle bracelets to everyone, and monitor everyone 24/7 because by golly...one of them might be a murderer."
We need more unions. And I'd love to see unions compete for members.
The countries , where unions are most prevalent, impose very high rates of progressive taxation on the people which redistributes income.
The standard of living as measured by square footage of living space, acquired stuff and recreation are lower in these countries than in the US. In contrast, healthcare and opportunities for affordable education for "" qualified" students can't be beat.
BTW, the largest union in the world is the All China Federation of Unions which has more than 200 million members. It is my understanding the union works hand in hand with government and the focus is on GDP, not employee members. In 2010 Walmart employed nearly 90,000 in China in 400 retail stores and all are Union shops. Over the past 20 years full time positions with benefits including housing allowances became lower paying part time positions with no benefits. Sound familiar?
China has long operated on an economic caste system. The Walmart jobs tend to be filled by rural migrant workers who are denied the educational opportunities available to others. They live in slums in the shadows of the more affluent and educated class.
Strikes and violent riots are increasingly common place in China.
The decline in the American middle class is exactly paralleled by the decline in American union membership. Think about it.
Middle class is a construct of a government.
The emergence of the American middle class is exactly parallel to the emergence of unions.
It lifted the masses , especially white men, out of poverty. Private sector unions peaked after WW2- mid 1950's, 60 years ago. The rust belt is what remains.
The steel mills were the first to feel the impact of global competition in the 60's. The foreign markets were no longer willing to pay a premium to sustain the US middle class when they could import from elsewhere for substantially less.
The higher the wage and benefit of a rule based job, the more likely the job function will be replaced by technology. Today it takes only 2 steel workers to produce the same steel output as once required 12 workers.
The downturn of the Chinese economy meant they had a huge surplus of steel and began dumping in into the global market at rock bottom prices. The EU and US responded by imposing tariffs on Chinese steel. As a result, steel is more expensive than if the free market were able to operate without protectionist policies.
Only 11.3% (6.7% in the private sector) of people belong to unions. SO according to your theory, there should be numerous jobs open because the unions are "crushed."
Technology substitution.
Makes no sense to employ humans when machines/ software are more productive.
15% of manufacturing jobs were eliminated between 2000-2010 due to technology substitution.
Likely, another 15% will be eliminated by the end of this decade.
Makes no sense to employ humans when machines/ software are more productive.
15% of manufacturing jobs were eliminated between 2000-2010 due to technology substitution.
Likely, another 15% will be eliminated by the end of this decade.
Automation is going to cause massive social and economic issues. It's a ticking time bomb getting close to detonation, and I don't see any way to diffuse it.
Trump is attempting to woo union members to vote for him, despite the union leaders rejection and Pence's miserable record in that regard.
Trump seems to be campaigning on bringing jobs back AND promising higher wages for everyone.
He seems to ignore that the US must export to survive.
What country is going to pay a premium to sustain the US middle class when the same product can be made in Bangladesh for . 33 / hr
US wages do not matter. What matters is the purchasing power of your wage. Does it matter if wages and the cost of living doubles?
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