Are unions beneficial to the economy?
Unions are too often demonised by the right-wing media.
Billionaire Media moguls hate the idea that ordinary workers enjoy the fruits of their labour – they think that only the top bosses should benefit from the success of a company – and that’s why they smear unions in their newspapers and on their TV news channels. The truth is, though, that the unions defend workers’ rights from ruthless, exploitative companies who would happily put profits before workers health and safety if they were allowed to. With regard to the economy, when unions negotiate a better wage for their members, those workers pay tax on that extra income – if that extra money went into the bosses’ pockets, do you think they’d pay tax on it? Or do you think they’d channel it into an offshore bank account thus avoiding tax?
Posted by: brian_egglestonUnions are the only reason many industries have high wages and benefit packages.
Unions would not be here if companies treated us right from the get go. Is that not obvious? People do not understand that the union gave us employees so much that companies probably would of never been willing to give. I don't know about you but I want rights and my employer is not going to let me go just because they want to.
Posted by: AnonymousHigher prices, less productivity, less jobs.
Let's be honest. If you run a business, where would you employee manpower to do your production; in a country where you can pay $3 an hour, or in the US where you have to pay $30 an hour for the same work?
Pretty simple argument.
Unions do one thing that is good; collect money from members. Then, they use their numbers to collect more money because they put a stranglehold on economies if their demands are not met by striking.
Argument to that - Teachers... It's for the kids right???
B.S.
People have a choice to seek work wherever they would like. If you don't like your pay or benefits, then leave and find another job.
Don't take my kids education hostage because you want more money and an earlier retirement; most of you teachers suck anyways. The US has some of the worst education in the world. Not because the money isn't there, but because our teachers are entitled losers.
Unions suck. They just want the dues to pay the fat pigs that steal those dues and pay for hookers, drugs, and liquor....oh, and for higher pay so they can have more..
Losers.
What happened to being kept by a company because you work hard and earn your job? With Unions, all you get are complacent, lazy workers that you have to keep.
Unions should be illegal. It's a mafia organization.Posted by: AnonymousInteresting arguments...
As I look through the arguments on the "No" side, I'm struck by how many of them mirror the same complaints & arguments made against labor agreements from decades, or as much as a hundred years ago. Yet, the same arguments are used regardless of how many years of evidence to the contrary. Some things never change.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions are beneficial to the economy and to the workers that fuel it.
According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the middle class' share of aggregate income is now at its lowest point since 1967 (the first year of Census Bureau data collection). Similarly, the Union Membership Rate is now at its lowest point since the same year. In other words, as union membership rates decrease, middle class incomes shrink. I think we can all agree that a healthy middle class income is important to the economy. Unions help to guarantee that workers are paid FAIR wages, receive the training that helps them do their jobs WELL, and are CONSIDERED in the corporate decision-making process. This is what unions do. People who say otherwise are either in a position to exploit workers for their own benefit, or have been duped by those people who need the support of an ill-informed population. At this point in time, less than 12% of of the total U.S. workforce (private and public sector combined) is unionized, and this percentage will continue falling- hand in hand with the decline of the economy.
Posted by: BisonUnions are beneficial to the economy, because they ensure that workers are earning a fair living wage, and are safe on the job.
Unions are beneficial to the economy because they ensure that workers are earning a fair living wage and are safe on the job. If it were not for unions, companies could give lower wages, which would repel skilled workers and attract unskilled workers. This could create a situation in which shoddy work is produced in exchange for lower production costs.
Posted by: MannP4rkThough most would agree that unions have their own issues and troubles they cause, they are designed to provide fair working situations to their employees.
No one likes a strike and it's stressful for both sides with mixed results over the years. Although allowing employees to just fly loosely in the wind unprotected seems a far worse option, especially in this day and age of big corporations.
Posted by: Ramon GriffithIf labor unions really decimated our economy then why is it that around the time that the unions lost their power, companies and corporations went overseas?
Because the fact that the unions lost their power meant that there weren't nearly as many union employees making much more money to spend then non-unionized employees so there was no-longer the same amount of spending going on as there was before and so certain companies could no-longer make a profit in the United States as a result.
Posted by: AnonymousUnion truth
The employer and employee make a contract that is equally beneficial to both. Unions don't take money away from the people they provide the base line for non-union also unions buy "made in the USA" products even though they are more expensive. also know business is forced to be union, a business can choose to go from union to non union.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
They were instrumental in helping develop a middle class in the 1900's and their power has subsided quite a bit, but unions help workers get higher wages, safe working environments, allows for overtime pay, and all other kinds of things that benefit workers. When the first unions were in place corporations still made huge amounts of profit so in my opinion Unions help workers get paid more for the fruits of their labors without taking a massive toll on businesses.
Posted by: imabenchUnions increase the standard of living for everyone!
Unions set the standard of living. When union wages increase, so does the standard of living, which in turn increases wages in non union workplaces. Unions create higher health and safety standards for all workers. Without unions we wouldn't have the 40 hour work week (time and a half beyond 40 hours), pensions, benefits, etc. Unions have kept the middle class afloat. When union jobs decrease, so does the middle class. When the middle class prospers so does our economy. Therefore, unions ARE beneficial to the economy.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, unions are what has made this country great.
Unions are very important to our economy. Unions have been the backbone of our middle class allowing many non-college-educated people to receive higher standards of living. Many of our economic woes have resulted from union busting allowing companies to ship jobs over seas and cut wages. Lower incomes makes purchasing things harder, which means fewer goods are produced.
Posted by: R43ShepRe-engineering the management - labor relationship
Unquestionably there was a time for the union, even perhaps the thugs who had to deal with management thugs. But it is time to re-engineer the relationship with a balance that is good for both parties and our ability to compete globally. The training by the unions has been outstanding and we can tie their expertise in with our technical and vocational colleges to great advantage. At the same time, industry can not longer be held hostage to unreasonable demands through strikes and slowdowns (which occur whether or not legal). This should not be an either or discussion but a "how to" make the relationship work forum.
Posted by: frigglesUnions are beneficial to the economy because they protect workers' rights and make sure they are paid a fair wage.
Unions are beneficial to the economy because of the trickle-down effect they have on workers' rights and opinions toward work. Unions assure that workers are treated fairly and have enough money to spend to support their families. By protecting workers' rights, unions help to promote a sense of trust between companies and makes people want to work and earn a decent living. By supporting workers, we support and improve our economy.
Posted by: EImerBuddieUnions are beneficial to the economy, because they ensure that working people earn enough income to continue to keep consumer spending high.
Unions provide protection to employees in terms of benefits and wages, which, in turn, increases the likelihood of a robust economy. Since the 2008 recession, higher income individuals and corporations have tended to put excess cash into savings, rather than spend. Therefore, the economy has remained stagnant. If working people were guaranteed a living wage, then more money would flow through the economy. With companies, state and city governments involved in union-busting and wage reduction, the most likely spenders have been barely making enough money to provide for their basic needs. Thus, the economy continues to falter, while the rich stockpile their money.
Posted by: P3nrIin100 years of productivity & prosperity
We have had a century where most large work places in North America have been unionized, and have reaped many benefits from the resulting organization. Employers get one group to negotiate with rather than thousands of individuals, and one agreement for all. The contracts control the employees more than it controls the workplace. The higher wages & better benefits brings a strong & stable workforce with lower turn over rates & less required training, better quality output & productivity, and safer work places with less time lost to injury. The single entity negotiations also allows for faster overall workplace change to keep up with industry. We have more money in circulation, and to have a strong economy we need better cash flow rather than money hoarded by the wealthy.
People keep trying to tie the erosion of our economy & society to Unions & wages. Fact is, Unions have had reasonably good wages for a century, and many unions have lost ground on wages for the past 20 years. So that isn't the problem. Other parts of the world have also had slave labour rates for centuries that no worker in America could compete with regardless if they are working for minimum wages. Look at history. We had many decades of solid growth for everyone. So what changed so drastically that it eroded the economy & hollowed out the manufacturing sector in less than 20 years? The answer is simple & in front of everyone's face. Free trade deals with 3rd world nations. The banks & investors have sold everyone out to benefit themselves, and destroyed a once great & functioning economy, and they are still trying to lipstick on the pig they have left behind for the masses. They get all of the cream & little is left for everyone else. Trade rules & union contracts used to protect american jobs, & american resources, and american rights. Trade rules kept industry leaders, investors, and banks from selling your jobs out from under you for extra cash in their pockets. Free trade changed that. People said what would happen to North America if they entered into such agreements. No one listened. People are now saying that without Unions, no one will have a collective voice, and the middle class & the masses will suffer greatly. Still, few are listening, & many are jumping on the bandwagon to run their only representation into the ground. I guess the old addage is correct. You get what you deserve.Posted by: AnonymousI am all for the rights of the WORKING Class!!
First of all I would dare anyone who is not in a union today, to write out a letter detailing all of your grievances and bad working conditions. Then take that letter or Email if you like and send it to all your management and company CEO. Then let’s see how much they really care about you. I know for a fact that at least in a union you can vote (Democracy) for things that are important to you (Wage, Working Conditions, Growth within the company). Of course a company does not want you to be in a union, because now they are forced to hear what you have to say and come up with something that not only is good for them; but good for you as well. These days people like to say that they have rights; people think that, that’s going to stop a company from firing you whenever they want. Try to pay for a lawyer to fight for your “RIGHTS” when you get fired and let’s see how far you get. They’ll drag it out till your broke and that’s that. With a union, when a situation like that arises, you actually have representation and back up, so that you can fight the CORPORATIONS on their own grounds. Not to mention that they signed a contract with you.
As for the people’s complaints about unions, I noticed that it’s mostly about teachers. Well I don’t know if you know but the curriculum that teachers HAVE to teach is set by the Board Of Education; A government agency in charge of your child’s education. So if your child is not being pushed to learn more, it might be because of the BS standards that they place on the schools in the first place. If you don’t have enough money to send your kids to a better school, well why don’t you add that to the list of complaints and grievances, when you send the Email/Letter to your bosses and management. Let’s see how much they care (You’ll probably end up getting fired for writing the letter in company time).Posted by: AnonymousYes, unions are there to provide for the well being of employees, and that is what our country is primarily made up of.
Historically, unions have always been there to ensure that conditions are optimal for employees. Because our nation is made up of mostly workers, this should then be of benefit to the entire economy and country. If our workers are making a living wage, then they are able to support their families, pay their taxes and contribute to the welfare of their communities and country. It is unions that stand in the way of big business and its tendency to abuse workers.
Posted by: 54IInfernoI support unions because they ensure people will have good salaries and good working conditions, and that will ensure better life for the whole society and consequently the whole economy will benefit.
Unions protect the workers right to decent working conditions and decent salaries. Without unions, salaries are lower and working conditions are bad, creating negative conditions that are reflected at a broader level.
When laborer don't have good pay, they will have very limited purchase capacity and that will create negative conditions for the whole society.
Unhappy laborer also will show their social discontent and that may generate more negative conditions for the whole society. Unions defend those laborers rights and therefore, the people's rights for a better living.Posted by: l0olllooiUnions bring dignity
We can bargain or beg. We can ask for handouts individually and compete against each other, or we can work together, decide what our priorities are and sit down with management and negotiate a contract that offers job security, improved wages and benefits, and safe working conditions. We can can some control over our lives or leave all of that control in the hands of others, others who do not necessarily have our interest in mind.
Posted by: AnonymousUnion may not beneficial to the economy, but it's essential element.
Size of the economy can be contracted due to the union's activity. We could build our economy if there wasn't union.
but we can't call it economy.
Economy exists for humanity. so the word 'beneficial to the economy' means 'beneficial to the humanity'.
However, without union, economy will punch the labors. it's no use to grow economy in this human-killing situation.
Union makes economy beneficial for us, so it is beneficial to the economy.Posted by: ChunryeongAbsolutely. If you make more money, you spend more money! ECONOMY
If people make more money they tend to spend more money. Which in turn creates jobs. Without unions, corporations will lower wages to a minimum allowing no extra cash flow to purchase clothing, shoes, or even food. Corporations do not care about you or how you live. They are worried about #1, themselves. That does not create a good economy. If you eliminate unions you will lower the standard of living in this country. Unions create a higher standard of living by working toward a higher wage to allow extra spending, which in turn creates jobsand a middle class. I have a hard time seeing the negative in that. If I buy a couch, someone had to design, build, and sell that couch. If I buy a car someone had to design, build, and sell that car. If I buy a box of cereal someone had to make, box and sell that cereal. If everyone is reduced to minimum wage we won't be buying anything which means no one needs to design, build or sell these products we are purchasing now. If we allow corporations to take over everything with no governing,m they will do exactly that take over and reduce you to nothing. It is called corporate greed. And that is what is killing North America.
Posted by: bustonlooseEssential part of necessarily exist-able thing is union.
Equality and balance on the all the hierarchy of white-blue collar is section which must be pertained in the 21st century and furthermore to the forward world.
Comprehensive and diversified interpretation on what is economy and economic is to make this question as a quite philosophical one.
Guess the temporary and tentative effects on economy is possible to decline the overall gross net-worth of company or country but constantly and perennially for the mutual and reciprocal wealth on the both or all sides human beings belonged will be beneficiary.Posted by: thignerThrough the presence of labour unions, people have the ability to earn fairer wages
If workers are given higher wages they have the ability to spend more on consumer goods. As a result, this would stimulate economic growth as the money would be going into the economy. Additionally, labor unions has induced workers to provide better benefits and working conditions to workers which gives an incentive to workers to continue to work at the existing place.
Posted by: AnonymousUnion provides a great support to the economy.
Yes,I totally agree that the Unions are beneficial to the economy. Unions are the group of people who looks into the matter what is beneficial to the economy and what is not beneficial. They looks into the welfare of an individual in micro level. They provide perspective how the particular issue is beneficial for the economy.
Posted by: I0rFashionUnions are beneficial
They help ensure that workers welfare is achieved, this is important if a nation wants a health economy and working class. It helps regulate working hours and conditions and helps lower the chance of a dictatorship of the multinational rich corporations. Unions are what took out child slavery from the 1st world countries.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, unions are vital to the economy, because they ensure that the working-class citizen has money to spend.
The middle-class worker is what keeps the economy going, not the occasional spending by the super rich. The health of the economy is usually determined by how much people are buying things in stores, and how many people are unemployed. The working class determines both, and a properly working union helps protect their rights and level of pay.
Posted by: H_BairdUnions help economies grow.
Look at countries like Germany. Not only are many of their workers in unions, but the average wage there is much higher than the United States. According to American business logic, that means their companies have to be making less money. Yet if you look at their growth it has surpassed that of the United States. It did it faster and is still on the rise!
Posted by: AnonymousThis is a Pointless argument.
The ONLY reason this keeps being brought up, is because the people at the top want blue collar workers to compete with sweat shop laborers in third world countries. Its why they Dumb down and Deskill the manufacturing processes, and bring in new technologies to replace workers which they feel are cutting too deeply into the pie (that will continue). This process will continue until all blue collar jobs are eliminated machines are more efficient they dont bitch they will work endlessly and carry no legal liabilities when they are broken. The problem here isn't that this new found "frugality" Doesn't make sense, its that is makes TOO MUCH SENSE... And all it takes to keep it in play are dry cut-throat elitists who subscribe to some vile form of materialistic darwinism where: "they who have are the only ones deserving to in the first place".
It wont matter to them that later on down the line The gap between the workers pay and their purchasing power, will have cut away a good chunk of their potential market share, they were just getting rid of "the unworthy heathen heretics" If workers strike out or rise up, the government will step in to gun them down and maintain order after all Corporations are more "important people" then the average joe the supreme court taught us that much.
So yeah we need to keep giving MORE benefits to Corporations so we can keep them here and keep their tyranny alive, we need to loose MORE rights to them because they are superior to Normal people who make them who they are....(convenient thing to forget isn't it?) WE need to make them take LESS responsibility when they make mistakes because while the want the benefits, rights and protections of being persons, they dont want the RESPONSIBILITIES that come with it AKA wall street meltdown? Anyone remember that?Posted by: AnonymousFact, when Union wages rise, so do everyone elses
You are welcome, my union wage sets the bar for your non-union wage. Keep taking scraps if you want, I'll keep my union card. If you are wondering why wages have stagnated over the past 30 years, blame trickle down economics. When marginal rates are high for upper income brackets with more tax incentives geared toward increasing wages and benefits for workers, etc. The middle class grows stronger, purchasing power increases along with demand. This creates more jobs and more opportunities for people to start their own business.
Posted by: AnonymousYES YES YES
Unions create the opposite of "trickle down". Working people earn higher wages as a result of union negotiated contracts. Higher wages means that people can afford to go out and spend money on goods and services. That, in turn, provides an increased income for the people that make and provide those goods and services! Pretty simple, huh?
Trickle down only serves to put more money into the pockets of billionaires, so that they can stash it in their accounts in the Caymans (right Mitt?)Posted by: Anonymous
I don't support unions! Greedy! Unnecessary!
Unions are greedy & drive the price of everything through the roof! Teachers' unions make slaves of our children..Forcing them to take standardized test so teachers look like they're doing their jobs when what's really happening is our children learning NOTHING & teachers getting paid to not teach anything worthwhile! Then there are those who just don't know how to teach! I live in NYC, Buffalo, & this city has WICK'S LAW...Look it up, it's RIDICULOUS! Can't even start a skilled trade business like plumbing/electrical here. Our mayor & elected officials are Union Slaves that hold this city back from any progress being made! It costs more to do simple things here, like build or remodel a home, paint a fence, you name it because the city & its union fools monopolize everything! They charge fee after fee & force us to use union labor to hang a ceiling fan! Unions are a pay to play cartel that don't add any benefits to this society & should be done away with! They drive up prices & take jobs that someone who may not be college material could be well capable of doing! Try walking into Chevy & applying for a job...You CAN'T! They don't hire from the outside. Maybe 80 years ago they were useful, but now a days they serve no purpose but to hold sway over consumers, drive up prices, & inflate bosses pockets!
Posted by: AnonymousUnions are no longer beneficial in our society because today we have so many laws protecting the rights of workers.
In the 19th and early 20th century the workers of America had virtually no rights and were unable to improve their work conditions, salary, etc. With the arrival of unions, the state of the common laborer greatly improved. But today, with so many laws ensuring the rights of employees, unions are doing more harm than good. For example, many analysts believe that union's demand for so many raises and benefits for the auto industry workers has driven it into the ground, so they are no longer able to compete with other countries.
Posted by: NettN355Unions need to be refocused.
Unions have hurt our economy by forcing companies to pay wages and benefits that their members may like but are not competitive to competition. This means fewer overall jobs, lower profit margins for the companies, and more jobs leaving the country. One of the sad facts is that unions continue to exist in many industries because of gov't contracts that require the hiring of union labor.
Posted by: AnonymousNo union organizations.
With approx 10% of the workforce in unions driving the price up for the 90% that are not... You do the math. Unions hurt the economy for the middle class, driving the price up for services. Why would you choose a union shop to do the work when you can hire a non-union shop to do the same qualified job for less?
Posted by: AnonymousNo, because I think unions actually put pressure on the economy, which hurts it.
Unions really don't help the economy. They support big government and more regulations, which just ends up hurting legitimate businesses. Some of the bigger unions also seem like they are entitled to things that they really shouldn't be. Workers can look out for themselves in this day and age, and do not need unions to do it for them.
Posted by: R04chGrovCost towards the company equal prices to us
Higher demands put forth by unions push the companies back and back. The benefits of the retired continue to pile up. You should be responsible for your retirement as well. Paying so much, and we wonder why US made products cost more? Alabama has shown that unions aren't required.
Posted by: AnonymousLeeches do nothing
Unions have ruined America. They force cars to cost twice in labor over what they do in the rest of the world. Quality is not twice. It can be argued that quality of American cars is less. Unions force employees to pay dues while they have no choice on where to send the union political donation.
Posted by: dffsdfUnions have too much power and are corrupt
Unions had a place in history where they did support the worker, working conditions and wages. However today there are laws in place that provide these protections and support the conditions and benefits available to employees. Unions have become there own version of "big business". They often "require' membership and make employment difficult for those who choose not to pay dues and fall under the union umbrella. In some industries you cannot even gain employment without first becoming a union member Whatever have to democracy and freedom of choice? They have become too concerned with politics and push the views of the union officials onto the employees. They donate "funds" to the political party the Union bosses support. And when they cannot get their way they become the playground bully; for example the protests in Wisconsin where they shipped people in from across the border, they lied to employees about where they were on days protesting (doctors faking forms for sick leave) and they vandalised public property. Unions were important in the past but they have lost their way and no longer are existing for the good of the employee but almost as another political party for the country.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions are like virus's
Union leaders take money from employees. Thats how they exist. Without union fees going into the pockets of union leaders the unions would not exist. Union leaders produce nothing. Union leaders make nothing. Union leaders leach money off of hard working Americans and give them false hopes. Union leaders support their opinions with loud volume instead of truth. Sometimes the truth about running a business can be hurtful to employees.
Union leaders are like a virus because they would rather kill their host- the business and employee- rather than comprimise for the sake of the employees. Sadly, the workers have subscibed to the unions methods and all three will die, just like when a virus claims its host. The virus kills that which is keeping it alive and the virus then dies too. I just hope the employees are prepared for this.Posted by: AnonymousUnskilled/Overpaid
While I believe there was a time when unions were necessary, that time has passed. Unions did some great things for Workers safety and fair wages. Many of the trade unions (electricians, pipefitters, ironworkers, etc) are still necessary as they provide safe skilled workers to complete specific hazardous work. Many other unions (clerical workers, retail workers, teachers, government workers, etc) are just asking for money and benefits for jobs that could be done by unskilled workers.
If your job is a skilled trade, you have something to bargain with. If your job could be completed by a kid in highschool or recent graduate, you are draining the economy by asking for more compensation than your skillset provides. When the fastfood worker or walmart worker strikes asking for more money to complete a task that a monkey could be trained to do, the cost is passed on to the rest of us. These types of jobs were never designed to support a family, they were designed to provide spending money to highschool or college kids. If you have a family, you should be working towards a better job that can support your family, not making your employer pay for your chosen lifestyle.Posted by: AnonymousI do not believe unions are beneficial. In fact, I would say they impede the growth of the economy.
Unions have crippled the auto industry by negotiating unrealistic salaries for its members. In addition, the retirement plans for autoworkers have resulted in an uncompetitive domestic car industry that is in financial ruin.
Posted by: R3n5God2iIIaUnions have lost their beneficial cause, thus hurting the economy.
There is to much crime attributed to unions. There are too many fat cats within the union, attending every conference and workshop no matter how much it costs or how far they travel. Union members have to pay for that. Union dues are way too costly for the members even at half the cost. Unions protect a lot of lazy and non productive workers/members. This creates too much dissension in the ranks causing more lazy workers. I feel that unions waste at least 50 percent of our dues. I have been a union member for 40 years and have experienced this on a regular basis. Unions also drive the cost of doing business way up. People don't have to belong to a dues collecting union to be unionized. Just be organized. Unions have lost their way and purpose. Government must step in and investigate all unions.
Posted by: Anonymous"I've hit my quota for the hour..."
Unions, when they were created, were vital. They brought American capitalism to the point it is at today. Now, they are an extra burden to companies. With all the equal pay and rights laws that unions have created, they have made themselves obsolete. Now, they promote laziness and have created many workers with bad ethics. I worked for a warehouse where the forklift drivers were union but the people auditing the incoming freight (me) were not. I couldn't audit the next truck until the first one was cleared. I was done, but no drivers were picking up the load. I went over to a couple of them just sitting around and asked them to pick it up and they said they would next hour, they had done all they were required to that hour. Unbelievable. Unions are a burden on not only businesses, but the economy as a whole.
Posted by: AnonymousThe Straw That Broke Americas Back
Union's have become the straw that has broke America's back. Their high wages and big pensions are unsustainable in a global economy. Which we have been in, for far too long. They are totally unwilling to give up anything to keep this Country competitive, let alone themselves. They will drown trying to hold on to what they think they deserve or what they think they are owed just out of selfishness. Look at the usefullness of the trade unions today in the aftermath of the recent devistating storms in the heart of the pridefull unions they turned away experienced workers because they were not "union workers"? How long has it taken them to restore power and have they? I don't know. (How long would it have taken for their customers, to regain power with wokers that didn't comply with union breaks, or union attitude?) Union workers are concistantly outshined outworked and outsourced. They do it to themselves, and blaim anyone but. They have obviously put all their eggs in one OBASKET.
Posted by: JBUnionism equals communism
When there is no connection between wage rate and performance this is the breeding ground for complacency. It is in our DNA to want to be rewarded for an increase in effort. This concept is taught at a very early age in our schools by rewarding kids with good grades for increased academic performance. Unions promote the exact opposite either overtly or covertly by setting a wage rate that they are guaranteed to receive with no connection to performance, which is very much like the pay schedule established in the former Soviet Union.
Posted by: AnonymousParasitic organizations draining society
Unions with their bloated salaries and pensions are driving communities into bankruptcy. The parasite is actually killing the host, as it did with the auto industry, steel industry, hostess and many others, not to mention the countless jobs it has driven out due to non-competitive wages. They're great for those in them but do substantive harm to everyone else and damage the economy as a whole.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions = Organized Crime
1. Unions use intimidation and thuggery to control their members.
My daughter-in-law is a teacher in Wisconsin and her grade school is full of militant teachers who descended on the Capital to do damage when Governor Walker wanted them to pay a small portion of their retirement and healthcare. She could not, for fear of retaliation that she saw done to others, voice her opinion at the time because she was pregnant and didn't think some coworkers would be less thuggish to her if she said she favored the plan.Posted by: AnonymousUnions cause outsourcing
The artificially high wages that unions demand is a primary driver that forces companies to flee overseas where they can make a profit on their products and services. See GM, American Airlines, the city of Detroit, and Right to Work states versus Union states. Unions in America frequently partake in extortion, forcing their demands upon companies.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions Kill Businesses
A great example of how unions are harmful is Hostess. They recently went out of business because the bakers union made ourageous demands such as Twinkees and bread never being carried in the same truck. Their ultimatum ended up with well over 18000 unemployed. Unions were beneficial when they were first created, but things have changed. 60 years ago, my grandfather had a unionized job at a steel mill and was forced to go on strike occaisonally, hurting his family's income against his will. Governor Scott Walker fought unions in Winsconsin and has helped prove we're better off without them.
Posted by: AnonymousPro is winning?
What a fail. Higher wages lowers the incentive to build in America as the costs are too high. Why do you think Boeing moved?! They act as cartels and hurt our economy.... That's a FACT. "Many unions have won higher wages and better working conditions for their members. In doing so, however, they have reduced the number of jobs available in unionized companies. That second effect occurs because of the basic law of demand: if unions successfully raise the price of labor, employers will purchase less of it. Thus, unions are a major anticompetitive force in labor markets. Their gains come at the expense of consumers, nonunion workers, the jobless, taxpayers, and owners of corporations." http://www.econlib.org/library/Enc/LaborUnions.html
Posted by: 16kadamsPublic Sector Unions are robbing taxpayers and are not beneficial to the economy.
Through collective bargaining, unions have gained excessive benefits and bloated salaries due to the fact that it's taxpayer money. Unions bargaining with politicians have a powerful tool to gain benefits for their members called donations. Politicians are swayed toward allowing union demands because their jobs depend on votes. Unions have the power to steer votes dependent on the actions of politicians accepting or declining increases in salaries or benefits. The money required to raise benefits and salaries is not coming out of their pockets, and they are easily swayed to accept union demands.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions are the enemy of workers & business
Business creates jobs, unions don't and yet the business and union members are at the mercy of extortionist dues and nonsensical rules and regulations controlling what the worker or business can do. For instance, the Hostess debacle created by the unions; the company oversees delivery of Wonder Bread & items like Twinkies, etc. The union demands they cannot be delivered to one location in the same truck so two trucks must make the delivery. Do you think for a moment this increases the cost of doing business and to the consumer?
The goings on with the port shutdowns with SEIU and AFL-CIO clown Trumka railing over the Hostess strike are huge reasons that unions don't serve anyone but themselves. They need to go.
There needs to be nationwide right to work opportunities without union thugs holding the worker and our economy hostage.Posted by: AnonymousNo, I think they are getting out of control, too many demands for what they actually do, especially in these times.
I frankly am getting sick of unions who will not give concessions no matter how bad the economy is. They march and picket about their rights, when the jobs they do are sometimes factory jobs that a monkey could do, or, ever increasingly, a robot. They demand better health benefits, higher wages, better cost of living increases, no matter how bad things are for everyone else. If they could make small concessions, a little math is very enlightening, give union autoworkers a dime pay cut per hour for a year, the savings amount would be staggering, but they want more. Police get the blue flu. I used to respect unions. Now they seem like a bunch of big babies whining about how much they deserve when others are struggling just to put food on the table.
Posted by: PinkMychI believe there was a time when unions were necessary, but not with current social and economic conditions.
Evidence lies in the cost of consumer goods, and the rise in overseas labor. We, by no means, need to "rip off" our labor force. But by the time a company pays the total cost for unionized labor, as opposed to an individual based on merit, the cost of production has been elevated and inflated beyond what is necessary.
Posted by: Ia2CistNo benefit to the consumer
Unions can greatly inflate prices of products because they demand higher wages and in turn cause the company to raise the prices of their consumer products. Even in the case of business to business products, it all leads back to average consumers in the end. The B2B companies still deal with other companies that provide products to consumers, and they will have to raise prices to stay afloat. In the end, consumers are hurt by unions, and only the greedy union members potentially benefit.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
Firstly, I do agree with what many people said that there was a time when unions did quite a lot of good (helping to create child labor laws, etc...), but, most workers are protected now by law.
I am a Computer Scientist and one time I was doing some work for Pacific Bell in California. I crimped up and plugged in a network cable that went from the wall to my computer. When I ordered my phone and the union installer came over he was angry I plugged the network cable in. I asked why he was so upset? He started talking about how I wanted to starve his newborn baby and this nonsense. He said, the union charges Pacific Bell $390 to make that cable, plug it in, test the plug, etc... I said, but I made that cable myself, plugged it in, and it took me 5 minutes to do. I bill at $125/hr, even at $2.08/minute ($125/60), don't you think $10 to do that is better for Pacific Bell than to call you fo $390?
Then this buffoon said:
Let me get this right...you think I should loose my job and someone else should be able to take it just because they are willing to work for less money than I am?
I could not believe my ears.Posted by: AnonymousUnions aren't really helping the economy at all now
The amount that most people now a days make the $3 they used to get, a joke. People are always complaining that the working conditions are terrible when in truth they should count themselves lucky to even have a job or a way to put food on the table. The economy isn't how it was back then in the 19th century. Lots of people are loosing their jobs not because its unfair but necessary to keep a company open. Unions are only focusing on the workers. What about the consumers? We have to pay more when they get higher wages. Also the more the business get for profit the bigger chance their going to hire more people. I get it if they want to live a better life but why do they have to make other people's worse? Also if they were so into getting workers to get better why are there so many things given to them that they don't really need?
Posted by: yianynicaUnions do not provide an economic benefit to the economy, due to the unavoidable interruptions of work production.
Unions are supposedly put in place for the benefit of the workers. It, ironically, has the direct opposite effect, because of the frequent standstills of production that temporarily put them out of work. This, in turn, stops goods from being produced, which prevents the company from making money. The worker's pay has been reduced which, in turn, prevents them from contributing to the economy as a consumer. It creates a pattern of economic downturn to be repeated over and over.
Posted by: HardChong'thug life' (pinapple express)
unions destroyed north american economies buy demanding more money then the job was worth. i read a pro stance that said middle class incomes have dropped with declining memberships in unions. this doenst take into account that there arent the same numbers of jobs on the market that are unionized being that Detroit now makes half the cars they did 40 years ago. now most tedious jobs like garment making or electronic assemblies are outsourced to foreign markets at pennies on the dollar. mean while what is still made here is way more expensive and labeled as 'high quality" when really its the same shit china makes but an american is paid to do the work. hostess is a fine example of the negative effects of unions on economics. they bankrupt employers and bully politicians
Posted by: nemisis07Grateful for what they did 80 years ago, but out of control now.
We all owe a debt to what unions did for labor in this country several generations past. Today, we face the old historical truth that people tend to take things too far over successive generations. Unions once gave a voice to the cause of just compensations for a man's work; now they are often one (of the many) hindrances to our competitiveness in the world.
Posted by: AnonymousNot in a Competitive World Market
When we lived in a time that the US drove the world economy and US goods were the mainstay of American people, unions could drive the price of goods to some extent. Now we live in a world where people want a burger for less than $5 and new clothes every season. By necessity, when costs go up, prices go up. Unions are causing the US to price itself out of being the primary source of consumer goods.
Posted by: AnonymousLoss of Jobs and Worse economy
Unions go on strike, and then the businesses can't make money and go out of business. So then the unionizers, and the business leaders, are out of a job. The unions not only get nothing out of this process, but they lose a job for themselves, the owner, and maybe even the business that factory or warehouse ships to. They are unnecessary and only hurt the economy
Posted by: AnonymousUnions are not beneficial to the economy, because their demands for higher pay and greater benefits have driven industry out of the country.
Unions are not beneficial to the economy, because their demands for higher pay and greater benefits have driven industry out of the country. Surviving unions are bankrupting governments. In a capitalistic economy, wage must be market-driven. The unions are definitely anti-capitalistic. The unions are socialistic, and a detriment to capitalism.
Posted by: JamieMUnions corrupt goverment
You can look at our state and local goverments. All of them have been forced to conduct across the board budget cuts to keep paying into Union demand pensions that are unbearable financially. politicians in Lansing are already proposing to dissolve the city of Detroit because Unions have ran that city into fiscal ruin and disgrace. Union Leaders continuisly pad their own pockets at the expense of taxpayers and members. Luckily, in my town we ran the unions out.
Posted by: AnonymousUnions In Private Sector Losing Jobs To Outsourcing
The higher costs associated with unionized positions drive more and more corporations to go offshore to stay competitive with foreign companies producing similar products. In Right To Work states there is a lesser percentage of outsourced positions as employee costs are not as excessive as the union ones with their pensions, etc.
Posted by: AnonymousI do not think that unions are beneficial to the economy.
Unions misuse their collective force to go on strikes etc in order to get several of their unreasonable demands met. Their demands for wage hikes can lead to inflation. This has a negative impact on a developed economy. We have seen several flight cancellations as a direct result of union strikes over the last couple of months. This is not beneficial for anyone.
Posted by: WittyRudUnions Have to much power
As long as unions have all this power, they will not be beneficial to the economy. A union worker can be lazy as he or she wants and is almost impossible to fire. Second union bosses use union dues to line there own pockets and not try to persuade the company. Third unions have actually have hurt the economy in many areas like in Stockton and in San Bernardino.
Posted by: RebornPatriot