Posted by
James Burns on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 1:22:41 AM
As a former Teamster in good standing, I have my views on unions and their role in America today. I believe that unions can be a good thing for the American worker if as in government there are checks and balances. In many unions corruption has reigned ramped and ruined their reputation. Greed, power have over run them.
When unions started they fought for fair labor treatment in industry. In those days labor laws were weak and the worker needed some sort of protection. But as time went on and the unions gained power then corruption took over. Unions started to demand things that were ridiculous and damaging to industry. But in todays day and time they can be a benefit.
If union members don't get greedy and don't want something for nothing, unions can give all parties involved a good deal. I remember my days in the union our pay was fair, and my benefits were great. I worked for a municipality and what we got by being in the union for benefits the town could have never afforded on its own. But due to the size of the union our insurance was cheap for both sides. Our pension was great and was cheaper for the town to manage than if they had their own. In an economy like we have today our unions could be an asset to the economy if done right, rather than a hinderance.
But many unions have caused their employees to bargain themselves out of a job. Look at the auto industry. These people make insane amounts of money for what they do. The union uses its power over the companies and ends up crippling them. So this hurts all involved, the worker, the union and the employer. Also the rules for hiring and firing need changing. While many of these rules are there to protect the worker, the same rules are used to protect the lazy. It is usually the later that abuses these rules to not have to produce as much as a co worker and keep their job. This is unfair. Ways of accountability need to be in place to handle situations like this.
So in closing I say if unions are managed right and union heads and members are not too greedy, benefits for all sides could be seen. If some simple changes were made savings for the employer and the worker can be realized. All parties can benefit. I was lucky our union heads were I was were smart and honest. If some members wee getting to greedy or demanding, they would say "if you want that ok, but probably 3 or 4 people in this room will not have a job if you get it."
If that mindset was prevalent then unions can work.