For all intents and purposes, unions have outlived there necessity!!
I come from Pittsburgh and have watched that town just come apart at the seams. Most of the companies that have "given up" due to a few factors - plant infrasructure, shipping costs, and the cost of labor. One of the things that hasn't been discussed in the thread or me possibly missing it, is that with the older style union contracts (and accompanying white collar costs) negotiated sweet retirement packages for the employees. These packages provided some very nice benefits which typically were not fully funded and needed to be paid for by current company funds. Yes, some money was set aside, but as we know, the costs have gone up tremendously and guess what, we as the consumer have to pay for these costs. Just the way things work. There are more factors but in a nutshell, all of these costs drive up the cost of products.
I have worked in union shops and have been involved as part of the negotiating committee for a new contract. Very interesting process!! Very tedious process!! Very trying process!! This opened my eyes to how things work. The union steward in our shop was so pro-union that she could not separate the fact that she needed to "get the man" for as much as she thought was needed for everyone and what the rank and file really needed. Thank goodness cool heads prevailed and the rank and file thought through all of the issues and accepted a fair contract. The stewart just argued and argued that the union needed more money, more benefits, more everything without taking into consideration what the company was agreeing to and that the additional increases would be adverse to keeping the operation going. Needless to say, the steward was upset with everyone for accepting the contract and she lost some good friends over what she thought was best for them. Very silly!!
My dad worked in the steel mills for 38 years and retired on a disability retirement. He received two 13 week vacations!! Of course, he had the seniority and was lucky enough to get two 13 week vacations. From what I can remember, you were eligible to receive the 13 week vacations every five years and you had to take the time off all at once. The reason behind the extended vacation was to get more union employees. So, let me try to noodle the math. 13 weeks = ~3 months. 3 months = 1/4. Four quaters a year. Four quaters times 5 years = 20 quarters. 1/20th = 5%. That means that the company would have to hire 5% more people which would increase the rank and file by 5%. 5% more union people means 5% increase in dues, etc., etc.
I have observed that over the years a lot of companies have just given up keeping a operation going due to union bulliness. Does that make the companies good guys to save the bottom line - no!! Does that make the unions bad guys for being bullies - no!! I just means that both need to have some give and take. In my opinion for the most part, the unions have been at fault for their bulliness in driving work from their area.
It is up to the individual to decide if working for a company is the right thing to do. If the current job does not meet your needs, find a new one. There are plenty of opportunities to earn a decent living. You make your life what it is, no one else. Unions protect those who do not want to take responsibility for their actions.
Enough... the CEO is beckoning me to come out to garden - it's havesting time for the market.... later.
Terry
