4 ms·

What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? What rights does the government have to tell me that I must join an union? Unions are

What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? What rights does the government have to tell me that I must join an union? Unions are free to exist but it can never be mandatory in a free functioning society.

klyrs 5y ago
Why don't you work for yourself, if your desire for individual liberty is so strong?
- whitepaint 5y ago
  I actually do. But how is your comment related to what I said?
  - klyrs 5y ago
    You asked: > What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? You already have freedom from union membership, and you're exercising it. What's the problem? Also, you asked: > What rights does the government have to tell me that I must join an union? Common misconception. A union can compel an employer to be a closed shop through a bargaining agreement. The government doesn't tell you that you must join a union; the employer will tell you that you need to join the union because their relationship with the union is more important than their relationship with you. What the government can do is forbid the employer from union-busting, and also forbid closed-ship agreements.
Mordisquitos 5y ago
> What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? Then you do not join any unions. Union membership is never mandatory in the United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade-union-membership-your-employment-rights https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade-union-membership-y...
- _-david-_ 5y ago
  In the US (unless you live in a right to work state) you still have to pay some of the dues. I am not sure if it is similar in the UK, but it causes many people to feel if they already have to pay dues they might as well be in the union. Many people do not want to be in the union and do not want to pay dues to the union.
ookdatnog 5y ago
I'm not disputing that your freedom is being reduced by the union, it very well might be. I'm disputing that that point proves that there is a net loss of freedom in society: there might be a gain in freedom for other workers, which might be greater or hard to compare than your loss of freedom.

klyrs 5y ago

Why don't you work for yourself, if your desire for individual liberty is so strong?

whitepaint 5y ago
I actually do. But how is your comment related to what I said?
- klyrs 5y ago
  You asked: > What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? You already have freedom from union membership, and you're exercising it. What's the problem? Also, you asked: > What rights does the government have to tell me that I must join an union? Common misconception. A union can compel an employer to be a closed shop through a bargaining agreement. The government doesn't tell you that you must join a union; the employer will tell you that you need to join the union because their relationship with the union is more important than their relationship with you. What the government can do is forbid the employer from union-busting, and also forbid closed-ship agreements.

Mordisquitos 5y ago

> What if I don't want to join any unions and I just want to do what I want? Then you do not join any unions. Union membership is never mandatory in the United Kingdom: https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade-union-membership-your-employment-rights https://www.gov.uk/join-trade-union/trade-union-membership-y...

_-david-_ 5y ago
In the US (unless you live in a right to work state) you still have to pay some of the dues. I am not sure if it is similar in the UK, but it causes many people to feel if they already have to pay dues they might as well be in the union. Many people do not want to be in the union and do not want to pay dues to the union.

ookdatnog 5y ago

I'm not disputing that your freedom is being reduced by the union, it very well might be. I'm disputing that that point proves that there is a net loss of freedom in society: there might be a gain in freedom for other workers, which might be greater or hard to compare than your loss of freedom.