4 ms·

I actually think the worst bad habit of unions is taking over managerial functions -- eg scheduling, vacations. It effectively turns the union into a subcontra

by wmil 11y ago

I actually think the worst bad habit of unions is taking over managerial functions -- eg scheduling, vacations. It effectively turns the union into a subcontractor, and employees start needing a union to protect them from the union.

seanmcdirmid 11y ago
This actually happened to us. We were unionized by the government, and they've taken over our vacation, fitness, and various other gift benefits, which they are slowly taking away from us (vacation just got nipped). Otherwise, they just take money from our paycheck and do nothing useful. I personally think something dodgy is going on, but you don't argue with the government.
- astazangasta 11y ago
  How can you be unionized by the government? That seems like a contradiction in terms to me...
  - seanmcdirmid 11y ago
    My world is full of contradictions. Well, the Chinese communist party, which is basically the government. All of us are supposed to be a part of a union; they let foreign tech companies slide for awhile but closed that loophole a couple of years ago. It is a trade union, but will "work closely with management to resolve any problems in a harmonious way." So not really what you would expect from a union in the west.
    - palmer_eldritch 11y ago
      > So not really what you would expect from a union in the west Oh, you know, these days in the West, the big unions are more partners with the governments/employers than they are on the side of the workers. Many unions have become tools that exists only to perpetuate their own existence, instead of being tools for workers to organize and collectively defend their interests against those of their employers and governments.
  - crdoconnor 11y ago
    It's a union busting strategy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_union#China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_union#China
- omouse 11y ago
  That's the biggest problem; when your union caves into the government/corps demands then you get screwed and yet you're still forced to pay union dues and be a member of that union. All the major unions in Ontario (Canada) actually maintained a wage freeze and gave up some benefits and vacation because of financial issues in the government; the only unions that had wage increases were the police unions. On the other hand, my buddy who's a construction worker gets a decent wage and great benefits because of his union. The last time their union leaders tried to screw things up for them, the union workers went on strike against that leader. >Otherwise, they just take money from our paycheck and do nothing useful Yep, that's par for the course for most governments whether they're liberal or conservative :)

by wmil 11y ago

seanmcdirmid 11y ago

This actually happened to us. We were unionized by the government, and they've taken over our vacation, fitness, and various other gift benefits, which they are slowly taking away from us (vacation just got nipped). Otherwise, they just take money from our paycheck and do nothing useful. I personally think something dodgy is going on, but you don't argue with the government.

astazangasta 11y ago
How can you be unionized by the government? That seems like a contradiction in terms to me...
- seanmcdirmid 11y ago
  My world is full of contradictions. Well, the Chinese communist party, which is basically the government. All of us are supposed to be a part of a union; they let foreign tech companies slide for awhile but closed that loophole a couple of years ago. It is a trade union, but will "work closely with management to resolve any problems in a harmonious way." So not really what you would expect from a union in the west.
  - palmer_eldritch 11y ago
    > So not really what you would expect from a union in the west Oh, you know, these days in the West, the big unions are more partners with the governments/employers than they are on the side of the workers. Many unions have become tools that exists only to perpetuate their own existence, instead of being tools for workers to organize and collectively defend their interests against those of their employers and governments.
- crdoconnor 11y ago
  It's a union busting strategy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_union#China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_union#China
omouse 11y ago
That's the biggest problem; when your union caves into the government/corps demands then you get screwed and yet you're still forced to pay union dues and be a member of that union. All the major unions in Ontario (Canada) actually maintained a wage freeze and gave up some benefits and vacation because of financial issues in the government; the only unions that had wage increases were the police unions. On the other hand, my buddy who's a construction worker gets a decent wage and great benefits because of his union. The last time their union leaders tried to screw things up for them, the union workers went on strike against that leader. >Otherwise, they just take money from our paycheck and do nothing useful Yep, that's par for the course for most governments whether they're liberal or conservative :)