4 ms·

Exactly this. First job I ever had was in the financial industry but was part of a larger conglomerate in the media business. As such, we were forced into the

Exactly this. First job I ever had was in the financial industry but was part of a larger conglomerate in the media business. As such, we were forced into the union that the writers for the media company were all a part of. Its unusual to have a union is a "professional services" type role. Speaking first hand, I can tell you the union did absolutely nothing for us except collect a portion of our wages. They didn't care about us. Perhaps it was because we were the smaller/niche part of the larger business and their focus was on the writers that far outnumbered us. Or maybe they were just shitbags. But when it came time to discuss keeping the reps we had, I asked why we should keep them since there was no clear benefit. They basically admitted they did nothing for us by promising to make our unit a focus going forward. Uh huh. Well, an opportunity showed up where we got bought out by a competitor (purely in financial services) and we took that opportunity, as per the labor laws, to determine whether or not we wanted representation at the new entity. We voted them out by a wide margin with 80% in favor of getting rid of them. My salary increased after that, and substantially so in the years since (although I did leave soon after). The NLRB really, really didn't want us to get rid of the union and tried hard to convince us to keep them, which is weird because that's not their role. The NLRB is just supposed to oversee the process to make sure the rules are being followed. Also, we were given a mere one day to file the petition - the day the new entity was legal. If we didn't do it that day, we'd have to wait an entire year to revisit the issue! One of the many reasons it's hard to get rid of parasitic organizations one they get their hooks in. There really isn't a need in most cases to be unionized. The primary focus of unions was always working conditions and fair wages. Working conditions are light years beyond what they once were so unions have focused basically myopically on always fighting for higher wages and benefits. But the only time I think this is appropriate is in cases of similar, easily comparable work - meaning things that are usually "blue collar". It's hard to compare a lot of professional and "creative" jobs or the people filling those positions. I think people should be forced to negotiate for their own wages in most cases. Only simpler, lower-wage type work where people may not have the personality, skillset, and ability to negotiate for themselves as to avoid taking advantage of people makes sense to me.

crankylinuxuser 8y ago
> Speaking first hand, I can tell you the union did absolutely nothing for us except collect a portion of our wages. I encounter this a lot in IT. "YOU IT TYPES NEVER DO ANYTHING! YOU JUST SIT AT YOUR DESKS!" "And your files, when you deleted them last week, what happened?" "Well I put in my request and 20 minutes later.... Nevermind." When we in IT do your jobs, we aren't noticed because we make technology work and smooth it out. When labor unions do the same thing, and make sure benefits and salaries and disputes are smooth and work on a pre-agreed upon process. That may have been the case for you ; you didn't need union services because they already did the hard work before you showed up. > We voted them out by a wide margin with 80% in favor of getting rid of them. As was your right. Now tell me, on a union charter documents and federal procedures, there are ways to initiate an election to do this at non-standard times. If they are not adequately representing you, did you look into this? > There really isn't a need in most cases to be unionized. Basic economic theory shows why a force as powerful as a company is needed in dealing with them. And that counteracting force is a union. I, as an individual, have very little collective power. A company has a tremendous force. > The primary focus of unions was always working conditions and fair wages. And with the Labor Theory of Value so low for workers, we need unions now more than ever. And yes, that include for technical, intellectual, AND labor. One needs only look at how profits keep climbing per unit of labor, yet wages are stagnated for most workers. > Working conditions are light years beyond what they once were so unions have focused basically myopically on always fighting for higher wages and benefits. Please tell that to the current "Walmart"-equivalent employees working at Amazon peeing into milk jugs, because they can't get enough of a break to even go to the bathroom without the threat of firing.... But they don't need a union?!?? We technical staff have it loads better. We get free drinks/food in the breakroom, gameroom, and plenty more benefits. But I've also worked at the low paying jobs. You get: no insurance, no 401k, no benefits, no breaks, and work at $8/hr. > I think people should be forced to negotiate for their own wages in most cases. Seriously? "Forced"? How about I get together with my colleagues and volitionally come to an agreement? NOPE Can't do that, we must be 'Forced' to negotiate individually... > Only simpler, lower-wage type work where people may not have the personality, skillset, and ability to negotiate for themselves as to avoid taking advantage of people makes sense to me. Arrogant much? "Oh those poor dumb people, they just don't know how good they have it!"

crankylinuxuser 8y ago

> Speaking first hand, I can tell you the union did absolutely nothing for us except collect a portion of our wages. I encounter this a lot in IT. "YOU IT TYPES NEVER DO ANYTHING! YOU JUST SIT AT YOUR DESKS!" "And your files, when you deleted them last week, what happened?" "Well I put in my request and 20 minutes later.... Nevermind." When we in IT do your jobs, we aren't noticed because we make technology work and smooth it out. When labor unions do the same thing, and make sure benefits and salaries and disputes are smooth and work on a pre-agreed upon process. That may have been the case for you ; you didn't need union services because they already did the hard work before you showed up. > We voted them out by a wide margin with 80% in favor of getting rid of them. As was your right. Now tell me, on a union charter documents and federal procedures, there are ways to initiate an election to do this at non-standard times. If they are not adequately representing you, did you look into this? > There really isn't a need in most cases to be unionized. Basic economic theory shows why a force as powerful as a company is needed in dealing with them. And that counteracting force is a union. I, as an individual, have very little collective power. A company has a tremendous force. > The primary focus of unions was always working conditions and fair wages. And with the Labor Theory of Value so low for workers, we need unions now more than ever. And yes, that include for technical, intellectual, AND labor. One needs only look at how profits keep climbing per unit of labor, yet wages are stagnated for most workers. > Working conditions are light years beyond what they once were so unions have focused basically myopically on always fighting for higher wages and benefits. Please tell that to the current "Walmart"-equivalent employees working at Amazon peeing into milk jugs, because they can't get enough of a break to even go to the bathroom without the threat of firing.... But they don't need a union?!?? We technical staff have it loads better. We get free drinks/food in the breakroom, gameroom, and plenty more benefits. But I've also worked at the low paying jobs. You get: no insurance, no 401k, no benefits, no breaks, and work at $8/hr. > I think people should be forced to negotiate for their own wages in most cases. Seriously? "Forced"? How about I get together with my colleagues and volitionally come to an agreement? NOPE Can't do that, we must be 'Forced' to negotiate individually... > Only simpler, lower-wage type work where people may not have the personality, skillset, and ability to negotiate for themselves as to avoid taking advantage of people makes sense to me. Arrogant much? "Oh those poor dumb people, they just don't know how good they have it!"