I was very happy with my union wages and I'm extremely happy with my pension. Do you think we have gotten that without being organized?
I was very happy with my union wages and I'm extremely happy with my pension. Do you think we have gotten that without being organized?
17 Ranger Z520c Black Out Edition
Yamaha 250 SHO
I’ve been union for 37 years, like them or hate them, they have their purposes. I could set here and argue all day with someone about them but I sure ain’t. Yes, they have their aggravating disadvantages like making it hard for worthless lazy ass workers to be fired, but they also protect your rights and jobs from babified bosses. I have a good job and do my work, always have, but I’m glad I have a union backing me. I seen a lot of work places without one and have to settle for what you get. Very few places have a management/labor harmony. We all have opinions and you know what they’re like. But, they’re our own. So be it.
2008 BULLET 21XD 2007 Merc 300xs
Maybe if you invested your dues money all those years?Originally Posted by Tone357
If professionals who's careers depend on catching fish use FFS then that's what I'm using. Might be too simple of a philosophy but makes sense to me.
The 2 reasons why people don't like unions is
1. They are jealous that union members make more money than them.
2. They run or manage a small business and are afraid they will have to pay their employees a competitive wage.
3. They don't believe in legalized extortion.
________
$8
That sir is total big time BS! funny but BS
2018 Phoenix 920 Pro XP
Stratos622 and rb, I don't know how long you've lived in my home state or hometown, but after the civil war, the powers that be fought legally and illegally to keep wages as low as possible. Having lost their free slave labor, the rich farmers and manufacturers, aided by politicians, colluded to replace them with poor people that would work in horrible conditions for wages so low, entire families had to work at the farms, mills and factories just to maintain the lowest existence. They also made it impossible for better paying companies to come into their communities and offer higher wages. Statesville was ruled by about five rich families. If a company wanted to open a new manufacturing plant, these families and their political allies, would find a way to keep them out, usually through refusing to re-zone farm land or provide water or electricity to the intended sites.
In the 1960's, Fiber Industries, a high paying company, tried to open a plant in Statesville. They offered wages much higher than the plants and mills in Statesville, and would also train these workers for the skilled jobs they had. This terrified the other mills and plants in town so they worked with the sympathetic local politicians to deny permits and zoning. So, Fiber Industries moved their plans to Salisbury, NC and opened the plant in May, 1966. My mom was one of many Statesville workers who drove the unheard of 30 miles to her job every night.
It wasn't just North Carolina, most Southern States fought higher wages and still do today. The six Southern Republican governors who condemned the UAW efforts to unionize Southern auto workers are playing the same game. They say they oppose unions because their efforts to unionize cause layoffs and would keep other companies from coming into their states. In other words, they want to keep wages low in their states to benefit the existing non union businesses and their states reputations for low labor costs.
If you're interested in North Carolina's efforts to fight unions, this is a good read:
https://www.ncpedia.org/labor-unions-part-2-early-labor
2020 Ranger VS1782 DC
Mercury ProXS 150
Garmin 106 Ultra/UHD 93sv/LVS34
Ulterra Quest, 115/90
Unions have set the standard for pay, benefits, and job security in most professions all while keeping corporate greed in check. If you work in the trades you have benefited directly or indirectly from unions whether you like it or believe it or not.
No worse than power hungry union leadership spending my union dues to support candidates and policies that I would never, ever contribute to.
And, God forbid, if you’re opinions differ from the union’s position.
BassCat Sabre FTD
Mercury 150 Optimax
"It's just fishing"
Nobody forcing you to stay there. Quit and work somewhere that doesn't have a union... for far less money
They can go somewhere and manage a smaller less profitable non unionized profession. Maybe a McDonalds
You sir, need to take your stand up on the road, you'll make a fortune!
Thanks for pointing out the obvious but not all those that pay those high union dues may be in the position to look elsewhere or relocate
2018 Phoenix 920 Pro XP
Im curious as to what you consider high union dues. As many will walk right past a penny but I will pick it up.Thanks for pointing out the obvious but not all those that pay those high union dues may be in the position to look elsewhere or relocate
2.5 hours of base pay per month is well worth all the additional benefits and higher wages they are receiving because of the union.Thanks for pointing out the obvious but not all those that pay those high union dues may be in the position to look elsewhere or relocate
Curious questions. If you work at a company and it unionizes do you have to join the union to keep your job? Can new hires join the company without joining the union? Can the business owner decide to close down if vote is to unionize or does the federal laws prevent this?
I actually laughed out loud at this post. I worked for private firms for 9 years and went a union represented agency last year. I’ve experienced both sides, and what you said is the complete opposite of reality.
1. Union members do not make more. The benefits are better. In transportation (road construction/engineering) a licensed engineer in private firms make more in 10 years than union licensed engineers do at retirement. I know other engineers, landscape architects, GIS specialists, environmental scientists, and secretaries who won’t come to my agency because the paycut is so severe, upwards of 30-40k. Our contract has a 3% raise with 1% going to dues, can you explain how 2% raise in take home pay is more than the 9% raises I was getting?
2. Non Union companies compete in the free market. They need to remain competitive with each other, which means raising wages and improving benefits. Adapt or die. If people want a better wage or benefits, they go elsewhere.
Bonus:
the quality and quantity of work from union represented people that I’ve personally observed and inspected is much lower than non. Because if you suck in private sector, you will be fired since you don’t have the union to hide behind.
now I will say the benefits are better at my union position; I get a 60% pension plus deferred compensation investing, a lot more time off, work 7-3, and the workload is about 30% of what I had in private. Unions are great for the person who values time over money.
Last edited by ECobb91; 04-21-2024 at 10:07 AM.
1995 Ranger 481v
1995 Johnson Fast Strike 175hp
If you are in a right to work state you do not have to join the union or pay dues but it is basically career suicide at least in my profession.
If you are the sole owner of the business and don't have shareholders to answer to then theoretically you could close shop and build in a different state.
It’s pretty obvious after the 200th union thread where everybody stands on the subject. Do y’all really think you’re changing minds with these ridiculous threads. Great job OP.
