Teacher's Union on strike??

[BongMan]

Myra I know what ya mean those are the drawbacks to Unions. As far as workign harder for better pay. That one doesnt always work in our warehouse there are 3 people who constantly put out the most product and basicly run the place and 3 who slack like you wouldnt believe and yet those 3 who work hard dont seem to deserve a raise. Just my gripe about my company is all but then again that is the reason I am leaving and going back to school.. Though unions are the same way you are usually goin to get a higher starting wage..

[veN]

Originally Posted by miss.myra

Yeah, well coming from someone who has never worked as part of a union, if I want better working conditions/benefits or more money, I either work harder or look for a new job.

I think unions are incredibly old fashioned. People used to go on strike to protest dangerous work conditions and fairly meagre pay. They did clear the way for a lot of things we have today like worker's compensation and labour laws, but I really don't think that in most industries in todays day and age they're completely necessary. I mean I'd really love to just stop working until my boss/employer breaks and gives me what I want, but I really personally disagree with things happening that way because it usually involves holding the public hostage.


/just sayin

Myra, you are a personal friend (as in NOT ONLY on the internet!) of mine, but I don't agree with you. (More on why, below). I do, however, think that you made your points, based on your own personal experience, eloquently and without putting anyone down. Props to Myra and her articulation. She seems to present her opinion in a clear and rational way.

Originally Posted by BongMan

Myra I know what ya mean those are the drawbacks to Unions. As far as workign harder for better pay. That one doesnt always work in our warehouse there are 3 people who constantly put out the most product and basicly run the place and 3 who slack like you wouldnt believe and yet those 3 who work hard dont seem to deserve a raise. Just my gripe about my company is all but then again that is the reason I am leaving and going back to school.. Though unions are the same way you are usually goin to get a higher starting wage..

The same thing takes place in my work. Well, perhaps not specifically in my workplace, but in my field I know there are people who don't work nearly as hard as me, yet we make the same wage. I do, however, see the benefits (good medical, EHC, dental, sick days, etc) that I get now from people before me having gone on strike at times when deemed "necessary". I agree (as I said before in response to wum) that many unions have formalities that are outdated or "old fashioned", but I also see that there are many companies that do not look after their employees as well and sometimes a union is needed to protect workers. It all depends on your experience with unions and what they have done for you, and how well they work.

Some great opinion-sharing discussion going on here :)

[BongMan]

^^ Ya that is the only major redeemable reason for staying with my company the benifits are just out of this world as good as any union would get me all I request is more vacation and higher pay..

[veN]

Originally Posted by BongMan

^^ Ya that is the only major redeemable reason for staying with my company the benifits are just out of this world as good as any union would get me all I request is more vacation and higher pay..

I tend to get sick a lot, esp since I work in a school with little kids, and I have a weaker immune system. So sick days are a saving grace. And bc I only work 10 months of the year (there's only school for 10 months of the year) I get some VAC pay (I'm low in seniority so it's not tons, but its something) for some of the holidays we have, and eventually (in many years to come) I wil get paid for most of the summer break and for xmas and spring break AND get paid VAC days during the school year. So in my experience it works to my advantage. Also, my medical covers most of my prescription costs (75% after a $25 deductable) so that helps a LOT! Also, when I have kids and a hubby I can list them as dependents (in most cases) and they will be able to have the same kinda benefits :)

[BongMan]

ya our health is 100% on everything Prescriptions are fully covered except for the 5 dollar fill feee but hey I aint gonna complain about 5 bucks on 100 dollar bottles of pills. Our dental is good I dont remember all the details though. Also our retirement package is nice..

[wum]

how shitty your employer can treat you is directly proportional to the vastness of the worker pool. i think during the Industrial Revolution it was neccessary since there wasn't much diversity in terms of employment and everyone was forced to do the same thing.

But i mean there are so many different jobs out there and so i think people are safe enough to work without unions.