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I like how the main objection would be instantly nullified if Amazon paid their workers more. Do you think a union would be able to negotiate for more than $500

by Lammy 6y ago

I like how the main objection would be instantly nullified if Amazon paid their workers more. Do you think a union would be able to negotiate for more than $500 of extra compensation?

handmodel 6y ago
I honestly am skeptical. AMZN already pays more than other small businesses and even medium/large businesses. It doesn't make money by paying its workers less - it makes money with efficiency and volume. Alabama is a right-to-work state. My understanding is that it would be completely legal for Amazon to hire new employees the second someone doesn't show up because of a strike, so I'm not sure their leverage. These workers are probably making between 30k and 50k a year so $500 isn't nothing.
- intenex 6y ago
  If that's true...then why do you think Amazon is so afraid of/against them joining a union if it can't do anything?
  - handmodel 6y ago
    A) If the union has a good chance of increasing wages 400 to 600 per year locally, then that is a great deal for the union organizers, a passable deal for the workers, and a bad deal for Amazon. I didn't say they won't be able to raise wages at all - just maybe not enough to justify the $500 union fees. B) Not every state is a right-to-work state. So, from a 'worker's of the world unite' perspective then obviously making a union in Alabama will help other places form unions. I could be very wrong and perhaps the union could get 1 or 2k more per year - but I am skeptical.
    - Lammy 6y ago
      wages ∈ compensation
- ineedasername 6y ago
  No, a union contract supersedes a "right to work", because it's a contract. Yes, an employer can fire you for little/no reason (if it's not discriminatory) but if they sign a contract saying they won't fire you, then their hands are tied. In the example of something like missing a day of work, the contract will spell out the specifics of advance notice for days off/sick days. If it's completely unannounced, the contract will spell out the steps of a disciplinary process. Source: I work in a right to work state, used to be a union member, asked this very same question at the time.
AmericanChopper 6y ago
Unions don’t increase wages by negotiating, they do it by excluding non-union members from employment. It is literally the only mechanism by which unions can increase remuneration.

by Lammy 6y ago

I like how the main objection would be instantly nullified if Amazon paid their workers more. Do you think a union would be able to negotiate for more than $500 of extra compensation?

handmodel 6y ago

I honestly am skeptical. AMZN already pays more than other small businesses and even medium/large businesses. It doesn't make money by paying its workers less - it makes money with efficiency and volume. Alabama is a right-to-work state. My understanding is that it would be completely legal for Amazon to hire new employees the second someone doesn't show up because of a strike, so I'm not sure their leverage. These workers are probably making between 30k and 50k a year so $500 isn't nothing.

intenex 6y ago
If that's true...then why do you think Amazon is so afraid of/against them joining a union if it can't do anything?
- handmodel 6y ago
  A) If the union has a good chance of increasing wages 400 to 600 per year locally, then that is a great deal for the union organizers, a passable deal for the workers, and a bad deal for Amazon. I didn't say they won't be able to raise wages at all - just maybe not enough to justify the $500 union fees. B) Not every state is a right-to-work state. So, from a 'worker's of the world unite' perspective then obviously making a union in Alabama will help other places form unions. I could be very wrong and perhaps the union could get 1 or 2k more per year - but I am skeptical.
  - Lammy 6y ago
    wages ∈ compensation
ineedasername 6y ago
No, a union contract supersedes a "right to work", because it's a contract. Yes, an employer can fire you for little/no reason (if it's not discriminatory) but if they sign a contract saying they won't fire you, then their hands are tied. In the example of something like missing a day of work, the contract will spell out the specifics of advance notice for days off/sick days. If it's completely unannounced, the contract will spell out the steps of a disciplinary process. Source: I work in a right to work state, used to be a union member, asked this very same question at the time.

AmericanChopper 6y ago

Unions don’t increase wages by negotiating, they do it by excluding non-union members from employment. It is literally the only mechanism by which unions can increase remuneration.