3 ms·

In a union or a cooperative, the members actually have an opportunity to decide who gets to be at the top.

• vkou 7y ago
  In a co-op, yes. In a union, no. You only elect your union leaders, not the company's leaders. The board decides who is in charge of the company, and the board is controlled by shareholders. Powerful unions sometimes have a board seat, but one seat does not let you unilaterally impose who runs the company.
• heavyset_go 7y ago
  Ultimately, company culture is a product of what the owners and their appointees allow and incentivize. In Uber's case, its culture is directly tied to Kalanick's management. I agree in that unions give employees leverage in management and decision making, and that a union might have provided incentives for Uber to behave differently towards its employees. But a union isn't going to change who owns the company, unless they negotiate a buyout.
  • HarryHirsch 7y ago
    There are some airlines that will not take accept delivery of a Charleston-assembled Boeing 787. The fact that you can speak up with less repercussions in unionized Everett when too many corners are cut obviously has influence on product quality and company culture, even though the union doesn't get a seat at the board.
  • raxxorrax 7y ago
    I don't think management has the ability to shape culture to that degree. Maybe it is different in the US, but I doubt this to be generally true. Unions are indeed in danger of creating their own ambitions, especially without input from workers. That said, I think the US could really use some form of employee interest group. Because the business orientation has reached perverse levels.