|
|||||||
| Coffee Lounge Talk amongst other community members. |
| View Poll Results: Would you work in unionized labour knowing it has better wages, benefits and security | |||
| Yes |
   
|
16 | 57.14% |
| No |
  
|
10 | 35.71% |
| Undecided |
  
|
2 | 7.14% |
| Voters: 28. You may not vote on this poll | |||
 |
|
|
LinkBack | Topic Tools | Rate Topic |
May 31, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
How many of you...
...work in Unionized labour?
Just thought I'd ask, because I am now a union job steward in my place of work. And it's crunch time since we haven't had a collective agreement since June last year. Anyone who is or has been in unionized labour, gone through bouts of strikes/lockouts, share stories! 
|
|
May 31, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
not me.
|
|
May 31, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
lol, every NON union shop I worked in I made more money, got treated better and had better bennifits. Why? Cuz they didn't want the union in. The two union shops I did work in were a joke. I was the shop steward in one of them.
But here's the best part. Our dishwasher called in sick-I was working at a hotel, I'm a chef. THere are no pots. So I start washing some pots as I need them. I got in trouble from the shop steward. I tried explaining to him that without pots, that means no food which means pissed off guests which means that business will suffer. But the twat couldn't see past the end of his collective agreement. I will continue to work in non union places and continue my non union stance.
|
|
May 31, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Oh, and the one went on strike, so I striked for a bit, then I was scab labor for a bit then I fucked off and got a BETTER job. But I guess that is the luxury I have being a skilled worker with a trade. Not a BC ferries cashier making $23/hr or some stupid shit like that.
|
|
May 31, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Our work at had a 97.5% strike vote. I guess the company really pissed very one off with the new shit contract.
Oh yea we have been with out a contract for 1.5 years.
|
|
Jun 01, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Im a shop steward at my work but I have yet to deal with anything super exciting like a lockout. I like being in the know about the union and I like the job security that a union brings. The only unfortunate part about being a steward is that its hard to go back to a non-unionized job. I worked for Starbucks for a while and the Manager hated me because he thought I would cause some giant uproar and try to unionize the franchaise.
|
|
Jun 01, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
The job I have right now is unionized.. OPEIU.
I've been here for a year and there haven't been any strike issues. Honestly, I probably don't pay as much attention to whats going on with the union as I should.. all I know is that I have awesome benefits and thats the only reason why I'm still working here.
|
|
Jun 01, 04
|
||||
|
||||
|
I wouldn't mind if my job got unionized... as we'd most likely end up with the CAW. Now that's a Union management doesn't like to fuck with. :)
|
|
Jun 01, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
i totally dont like workin union! i pay union dues and it does nuthin for me and all the ehfin slackers at work get to keep there job! its annoying! ... people that dont do jack should be fired! instead the union fights to keep these losers employed n i end up doin all ther work! ... jus had an argument with a coworker yesterday actually cuz she walks around the store n no one sees her for a few hours... comes back n goes on her break! like wuts up with that!
|
|
Jun 01, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Oh, another great situation I remember I was in with a union was this: as a journeymen chef, I had more skills, more qualifications and more ambition then this one lady I worked with. She had been there for 15 goddamn years and was slow, lazy, a shitty cook and useless. think I could get promoted past her? Nope. I've got a lot of examples like this...
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Here's my view on Unions. 9 times out of ten the primary reason a company goes unionized is because the employees feel used and abused and genereally not treated fairly. The way to fix this without feeling/seeing the repracutions is by getting a union involved to fight these battles without the staff getting the back lash. With that said most non-unionized copanies have employees who feel they are treated well and are look after by managment and ownership. I'd rather earn a little les and be treated with respect and understanding from my bosses rather than earn a few more bucks and not give a shit about anyone or thing. Just my thoughts.
G
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
||||
|
||||
|
i work at superstore its union... theyre having talks about a strike... i really dont wanna picket cus i dont want people throwing things at me!
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
Unions were originally created at a time when things like labour standards, worker's compensation, minimum wage, etc were all pretty much non existent. I'd say probably close to 80% of exisiting unions are completely unnecessary these days. Fighting for fair treatment? Getting paid huge salaries + benefits to do a job that requires very little skill and no education or training is what is not 'fair' in many cases. This also makes it seem like if you're not unionized, the employees have no real voice to raise concerns with, which is also bullshit because if I have an issue at work, I know that there's quite a few people I can talk to who might actually take me seriously (management in many cases seems to completely brush off unions) ...don't even get me started on unions that use bullying tactics with employees that may not agree with their ideals. That in mind, I think that some unions out there actually may do some good for their employees, but in a lot of cases, they are really outdated.
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
This post is along the lines of miss.myras.
Let us not forget...unions in the labour movement have SET THE STANDARD for minimum wage and fringe benefits. If it was not for executive Union Officers and their negotiating committees, there would really be no standards for inflation, cost of living, etc. So you may think..how have unions set the standard? Think about it. MINIMUM WAGE....though regulated by government, it is influenced by unions. BENEFITS...unheard of in the early 1900s. Unions banded together to create packages negotiated with their respective employers which included 'fringe benefits' (health, dental, etc.) DISCRIMINATION...unions, of course, are anti-discrimination. If it weren't for unions; discrimination, sexual harrassment and abuse of authority would plague non-union shops more than if unions are not around. WRONGFUL DISMISSAL....yes, the Labour Relations Board can assist with this, but in a non-union shop, the options are limited. With use of a Greivance procedure in most collective agreements, there are more options to proceed/appeal for wrongful and unjust dismissal, suspension, and violations of your work rights. People who disagree with unions have their own arguements, and have valid points. But please remember...someone set the standards for working people. Let us not forget the Unions.
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
Quote:
if i feel as im getting a bum deal by my employers i quit and find another job..its that easy...i dont need some other collective group to negotiate or handle my battles for me.
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
For the most part I am not a very big fan of unions, but I worked for a couple.... such bitter bitter people. Always bitchin about how they are under payed and over worked. I have gotten to the point were I just ignore as many of my co-workers as possible, so as to avoid the constant whining.
|
|
Jun 02, 04
|
|||
|
|||
|
^ In a union shop, wages are negotiable amongst the entire membership in a workplace. This is understandable.
In a non-union shop, sure you could ask your manager for a raise. but ask yourself...are you getting a fair day's pay for a fair day's work? Should you be making more? Should you be receiving benefits? If these are in question in a non-union shop, negotiating such terms would be extremely difficult. With the backing of a membership...voices are heard.
|
