Re: [vox] [OT] unions

[Jeff Newmiller <jdnewmil@dcn.davis.MAPSca.us>]

Steven, Patrick, Rusty:

It was fun playing with the double-meaning of "unions" (a programming
concept), and "Unions" (a collective bargaining mechanism), but when you
lose sight of the subject's double meaning then the thread loses a lot of
flavor.

On 27 Aug 2001 speck@blkmtn.org wrote:

> sigh,
> 
> Unions have fought for workers rights.  In the past, businesses have
> killed people for advocating Unions.  They still do in a lot of
> foreign countries for wanting to form Unions.  In America, I think
> it's been some 80 years fortunatly.
> 
> Unions brought most of us a 5 day work week (some industries have
> exceptions), insurance, reasonable working conditions.  Rights which
> are constantly being eroded by corporate interests in the name of
> profits and share holders.  Why pay a resonable wage when you don't
> have to?
> 
> I, as an individual, have the right to market my resources (skills,
> ability, talent) to negotiate a wage for myself.  However, I can more
> effectively bargain if I negotiate in a group where we have the
> ability to cost the corporation money by not working if they do not
> negotiate.  This threat only works if the corporation cannot replace
> you.
> 
> Unions will, in general, fight for issues that they believe will help
> their members.  If you have been fired unfairly, denied a promotion,
> the company is moving your job overseas where it is 'cheaper'.  That
> is what they are supposed to do.  It is their job.  No organization is
> perfect.
> 
> All of that said, unions are run by people.  People make mistakes.  
> People, by nature, are political (if you don't realize that...).  If
> you don't like the way the unions are run, run for office in it and
> change it.  When unions, or anyone, negotiate, there are compromises
> that have to be made, and there are costs involved.  When you joined
> the union, you agreed to share those costs, inconvient and costly as
> it might be to you personally.  If you don't like them, DON'T SIGN THE
> EULA and realize that that too may carry a cost.  They negotiated a
> succussful EULA for the conditions under which the company hired you.
> 
> People do good and bad.  Unions are run by people.  On the whole,
> unions have won us more good then most people realize.  Even those not
> in unions benefit most of the time from union activities.
> 
> What's the difference between a union and an employment agency?  A
> union is suposed to fight for you, an employment agency is merely a
> conduit for money and will drop you like a rock the instant you have
> no more use to them (contract end).

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