Friday, February 18, 2011

CNN readers on unions

This is horrible. Just horrible:

What is your general view of labor unions?

Negative - 54%

Positive - 27%

Neutral - 19%

What's wrong with people? Do they not realize that the actions of union members have hugely benefited even non-union members? Remember the airline hero, Captain Sullenberger (and his crew)? All union members.

Here are just some of the benefits unions have brought us. I'm writing just off the top of my head:

Better wages
Safety regulations
Weekends
Pensions
Overtime pay
Health care
Protection against discrimination
Protection against sexual harrassment
Family medical leave
Leave for newborn care
Legal protection
Unemployment benefits

Okay. So plenty of non-union shops have those things too. But just watch them disappear as soon as unions disappear. It's the very fear of unions that causes employers to be as fair as they are.
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1 comment:

  1. I admire and believe in unions, however my husband sees them in a different light. His experience with unions had to do with protection of seniority rights of workers who didn't work hard and of unions calling strikes when he just couldn't afford to do without a paycheck. And we've all heard about union bosses, like Jimmy Hoffa, who were corrupt...

    I've never belonged to a union nor worked where there was a union so my viewpoint is mostly idealistic -- I loved the movie "Norma Rae" and have read about those who formed unions back in the 20s and 30s... I hate the idea of union-busting and I'm sure that corporate bosses would love to do away with the protections and benefits the unions worked hard for many years to get. What is happening to this country?

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