Do you support UNIONIZED LABOR?

[mdmc]

Poll question: Do you support UNIONIZED LABOR?

Would you be willing to spend more or receive less in order to support an organized shop?

[Blue-Jay]

1. Yeah.

[louis c]

105. Are you kidding me? Is there a choice?

It is no coincidence that as union density has shrunk, the economy has worsened.

Henry Ford (no socialist he) explained to other industrialists of his day that questioned why he doubled the salaries for his Assembly workers, thus forcing them to do the same, said Henry Ford, "someone has to afford to buy my cars". And therein lies the rub. If wages continue to decrease, who'll by the stuff, even if it's made in China?

You can't sell automobiles to people who make $1 a day. These trade agreements were short sighted and ended up killing the goose that laid the golden egg. That goose is the American middle class and that goose was created by labor unions. And if we don't reverse this trend, and fast, our goose is cooked.

[name not needed]

Yes. Anyone who says otherwise doesn't belong on this forum.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[mike_c]

2. I am and do....

My union is the only thing standing between me and the robber barons. Solidarity!

[dana_b]

3. HELL yes!! n/t

[havocmom]

4. Don't just look for Made In USA lable and think you're buying union

Some clever corporations pay slave wages to prison labor and slap on Made in the USA to market items.

Prison labor here, prison labor in China... it all helps the bottom line of corporations fucking workers.

[mdmc]

88. thanks for the heads up..

I never really thought about it..

[Brickbat]

5. Union is my religion.

I'm not even exaggerating on that.

[Edweird]

6. Yes.

[DFab420]

7. Obvious yes

is obvious.

[Omaha Steve]

8. Well I pretty much run the Labor Forum

So I guess I do.

OS

[stevebreeze]

9. the media cheers when corporations merge into larger bargaining units

Not so much when working people combine their efforts to increase their bargaining power.

[ingac70]

10. Anyone who is anti-organized labor is Republican filth. n/t

[upi402]

74. +1^ n/t

[Kalun D]

76. Or DLC filth

[ingac70]

95. kick

[devilgrrl]

11. Mods - please TS anyone that votes "no" - they're probably a really huge ASSHOLE!

:popcorn:

[GrantDem]

14. +1

[dana_b]

21. I don't think tombstoning people after asking for their

opinions is quite fair.

Also calling them assholes isn't quite right. They are huge IGNORANT assholes!

[tbyg52]

36. True. Still, I can't believe anyone here voted "no,"

much less complained when people expressed disgust that anyone voted "no." Last I heard, Democrats were *supposed* to have some bedrock principles.

[Go2Peace]

50. They are likely a disguised Republican. Easy pickings for mods

[dana_b]

52. I'm with ya

and understand that "wtf?" feeling. I wish they all had those bedrock principles but it seems that Dems/progressives are a very varied group.

[ingac70]

25. +1

[salguine]

33. Please tell me this is sarcasm. I know, I hate when people use the little

animated dripping "sarcasm" tag, but these days you can never be too sure.

[DevonRex]

35. Well, they probably are...

:popcorn:

[GoneOffShore]

62. Thanks for witch hunting.

[NNN0LHI]

12. Current dues paying retired member UAW Region 4 Local 588

http://www.uaw588.com/

[sufrommich]

13. Silly poll is silly. nt

[GoneOffShore]

63. Got that right.

[RKP5637]

15. I think it's the only way!!! If not, what recourse does one really have, you will

be squashed and trampled over in many corporations. To me in today's world unions are more important than ever if one expects any level of fairness. I was in middle management and always had wished we had a union. We had no voice, especially in a large corporation.

[Bluenorthwest]

16. You bet, and with my dollars

And just for the fun of it, I'd like to point out that in many cases, by giving custom to Union shops, I get more, and spend less, both at the same time.

[baldguy]

17. I *WAS* unionized labor - until the company up & moved to Mexico.

NAFTA sucks.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

18. Spend more or receive less? False choices.

But yes, I support unionized labor.

[mdmc]

101. my 2 local unionized grocey stores are more expensive

as is my unionized Att phone contract compared to verizon or sprint..

I could go on (unionized tee shirts vs. slave labor tee shirts)..

[mdmc]

106. kick

[HughMoran]

19. Yes, of course

I'm also happy to see a growing labor movement in China as this will strengthen our American unions and Asian labor costs increase.

[peacebird]

20. Yes. Definitely. Labor unions did the heavy lifting to help America develop a middle class

I support unions, and look to buy "Made in America" - where at least I know the childrens toys won't have lead paint, or cadmium in them.
I pay more to buy local for organic groceries, and to buy locally grown meat (a middle school teacher a mile down the road raises chickens and cows as a sideline - all pastured). I avoid big box stores anytime I can find a local small store instead.

There is more to the cost of something than the dollars coming out of your wallet....

[RKP5637]

22. +1000, n/t

[Dinger]

44. And Looks At The Thanks We're Getting

We won't be fooled again.

[Turk 182]

89. K&R- and don't forget PUBLIC SCHOOLS (nt)

[2Design]

23. We would not have five day work weeks, holidays, vacation or sick leave without it - part timers

now part timers is the way these corporations have worked around this - people have no idea how much more corporations would screw everyone without unions - teachers will go to 8 - to 10 dollars and hour and work long days - trade schools are doing this now - part time everything

[Go2Peace]

51. We are sometimes ignorant to what life would have been without unions

[dmr]

68. They would be working in hot (or cold) dirty, unsafe environments

without breaks, forced unpaid overtime, 6 & 7 days a week, hired men coming to your home to spy on whether you live in accordance to your employer's demand. Child labor. Company store.

My dad was beaten, and left for dead when Ford goons went after him for striking.

You never know what has been won unless you never had it or never lost it.

[2Design]

102. thanks for sharing that - people really have not idea - I don't think it is

taught in schools since they don't want liberal ideas tagut

[Sebastian Doyle]

24. If you do not support unions, you are not a Democrat.

That's reality. No amount of DLC excuses will change it.

[Deep13]

26. Yes, I shop at union grocery stores...

...and bought a VW which was made by unionized German auto workers. (I know some models are not, but this one was.)

[MyNameGoesHere]

27. The capitalistic version?

No.

[nonconformist]

28. THANK A UNION MEMBER

IF YOU HAVE:

· An eight hour workday
· A five day work week
· Paid sick days, vacation days, and holidays
· Family and medical leave
· Health, life, and disability insurance
· A pension
· Safe and healthy working conditions
· Proper job training

THEN THANK A UNION MEMBER.

Unions have campaigned for the minimum wage, wage and hour laws, ending child labor, and workers’ rights and privacy on the job. Wages for union workers in all types of occupations are higher than for non-union workers. If you benefit from any of these things, THEN THANK A UNION MEMBER.

[abelenkpe]

29. While not part of a union I fully support them

Without unions and their efforts we would all be slaves. It sickens me to see the right using the economic crisis as a reason to further their constant attacks on unions, particularly their vicious attacks on teachers, police and firemen.

Actually, I wish we had a union. It would have to be worldwide though. Really unions probably should organize globally to survive and thrive in the global economy.

[laughingliberal]

30. 100% without question! nt

[kgnu_fan]

32. YES, yes, yes, yes yes... and yes thousands of times more!!!!

[DevonRex]

34. Yes. I only buy American union-made cars, for example at greater

cost than I would for a comparable foreign car. And we LOVE our American union-made cars. I will do that for any product possible. Americans need jobs. Good jobs that don't undercut our economy by sending the profits abroad.

[Name removed]

37. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Urban Prairie]

38. Yes!!!

Next to entitlements, organized labor is what is most hated by the RW, IMO.

[caty]

39. Of course I do......

I actually use my brain. :think:

[Blue-Jay]

40. Out of curiosity, what prompted this poll?

[mdmc]

99. another thread about support of unions here on DU..

I can try to find a link for ya..

[thelordofhell]

41. Yes and Yes!!

Unfortunately, I live in a backward-ass right-to-work(a.k.a.----right-to-get-fired-for-no-reason) state.

[LWolf]

42. Yes. nt

[Kingofalldems]

43. Kick this big time

Yes

[Dinger]

45. Yes

Always have. always will.

[stray cat]

46. What about employee owned companies - should we give them less business if there isn't a union?

[GoneOffShore]

69. No fair using logic and facts in this farrago.

[trayfoot]

47. Absolutely!!!!!

[amborin]

48. YES! and it disgusts me that Obama let EFCA wither

[Raine]

49. YES, of course and anyone who doesn't

is a FUCKING ASSHOLE!

[GoneOffShore]

64. Thanks for your concern.

[KonaKane]

53. I see seven votes from people who shouldnt be on this forum

I don't know how anyone calling themselves a Democrat could be against labor unions.

[troubledamerican]

54. Anti-Union is Pro-Fascist

No Union = NO middle class
No middle class = no democracy

[Shandris]

55. I wholeheartedly support the Unions

I do think they should be a bit more selective/merit-based, but that's a general rule for just about everywhere nowadays. *shrug*

[guitar man]

56. Damn right I do!

United we bargain, divided we beg.

Go union! :patriot:

[old mark]

57. Yes. Former AFSCME Steward, member of various unions since age 15. nt

[tango-tee]

80. See post # 79.

:fistbump:

[ingac70]

58. kick

[GoneOffShore]

59. Unions are good and unions are bad

Depends on the union.

My business was picketed during a strike - despite the fact that at the time of the strike we were a three person business. We were visited by the NLRB. Made to put up a notice concerning the union.

Cost me $10k plus meds for anxiety and lost me some "friends", ie people who I used to get jobs but who now think that I'm the anti xhrist.

So, yes, unions that exist to protect people are good. Unions that exist to exploit are bad. And make no mistake that there are some exploitative unions with extraordinarily venal people running them, out there.

on edit:

I'll also add that some unions are far more interested in arrogating power to their executives and building up bank accounts than they are in actually protecting jobs.

Case in point: Local teamsters here in Philly are being investigated by their own national board for showing favoritism in hiring practices for very lucrative movie production jobs.

[Grand Taurean]

65. WTF?

Only 3 workers and they did this to you?

[GoneOffShore]

66. Two principals and one employee.

We were not under union jurisdiction in any respect.

Long story and too much to tell that would violate the settlement terms. But they screwed us.

[Dinger]

60. Wonder Why Some Of Us Are Not Weighing In?

Don' want to put their name to the no vote. You should do this as a poll where you have to say yes or no. Think I'll try it . . .

[sandnsea]

61. Of course. It doesn't mean unions are always right. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

67. Whoever answered no and aren't trolls or brain-dead ingnoramuses

Nobody LOSES anything by being in a union. You may pay a little more for union dues. You may have to put in some unpaid hours to help support the union.

But in the end, YOU GAIN in terms of salary, working conditions, pensions, protection from unfair dismissal, the ability to strike without fear of retribution, severance pay and the KNOWLEDGE and CONFIDENCE that you're NOT FIGHTING THESE BATTLES BY YOURSELF.

[bertman]

70. I'm the owner of a small, non-union business. We make it a point to buy all of our apparel

from only companies that are American, unionized, and that get their materials from America (we have not verified that, but that's what they say).

Unionized labor has helped make this nation great. There are certainly some abuses and some crooked union leaders, but unions have done more for the average American worker than any other entity in American history. Now that we see the results of 30 years of union-busting by our corporate-controlled Republican and Democratic overlords we see that the middle class is shrinking and the abuse of workers is rising.

I'm not surprised that there are some No votes. In our company, in the past, we have had two employees who had previously worked in union shops who were anti-union. They were very liberal and staunch Democrats but anti-union.

[Lugnut]

71. Absolutely. n/t

[donheld]

72. 100% yes

[LaPera]

73. I love unions - They are the best, without them - everyone has to fend for themselves.

[Subdivisions]

75. I not only support unionized labor, I'm a union member who has

done some organizing.

[JoeyT]

77. Never been in one

because I've always worked for myself, but I support them just the same.

[MrSlayer]

78. As a member of Local 98 I.B.E.W. I vote an emphatic "YES!"

You are basically fucked if you are employed without collective bargaining. This country has lost its real values.

[tango-tee]

79. Third generation union member checking in!

I'll translate loosely from German:

Grandpa: Bau, Steine, Erden (mason)
Dad: Gewerkschaft der Eisenbahner Deutschlands (railroad)
Yours truly: Industriegewerkschaft Metall (metal worker, i.e. aircraft maintenance)

And as well, third generation Social Democrats. Although in my case, drifting toward the Left Party.

Edited to add: Solidarity across the Big Pond!

[old mark]

84. Hello, TT!

Have a great weekend!

I want to start another thread abot European multiple parties.


mark

[tango-tee]

86. Hi mark,

That would be a great topic, and I'll be happy to contribute.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend as well! Best to you and yours, dear friend!

[madokie]

81. Durn right I do

:puke:s have been trying in earnest to do away with the unions since St Ronnie the lesser

[saltpoint]

82. We sure do like pro-Labor Democrats in my family tree.

[gleaner]

83. I was a union steward ...

when I was working for the Feds. We all needed the union. It protected our rights, our safety in the work place and took the illegal actions of the government against our interests to court to preserve our jobs and our ability to do them.

In the 60s there used to be a commercial that I liked. It was a group of women who were members of ILGW union. International Ladies Garment Workers Union, I think. It's been a long time. They sang in a slightly off key manner a song about looking for the union label when you bought women's clothing. I always did. I thought of them again the other day and wondered if they even existed any more or if anyone's clothing is made by union workers and not offshore by slave labor. Paying more is well worth it to protect jobs and workers both on and offshore.

[RagAss]

85. No. They never reached out to IT workers until recently... and now it is too fucking late.

[ingac70]

92. Seems I remember unions trying to organize IT workers in the 80s....

It doesn't work if the silly fuckers don't vote for it.

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

97. Unions are a poor fit for many IT jobs

The variance in productivity between nominally equivalent IT employees is too high. The commoditizing economic effect of unions only does no harm if employees are actually commodities. For many industries this is true to the first approximation, but IT usually isn't one of them except maybe at the level of the help desk.

[RagAss]

104. I wished they talked to me .... never saw one.

[JNelson6563]

87. Unions: The people who brought you weekends.

:toast:

[Citizen Worker]

90. Union Yes!

To this day I refuse to shop at Safeway because that store chain locked out the retail clerks in the late 80s. On a recent trip to another grocery store my grandson suggested that we go through the automated checkout line rather than wait for a clerk. I explained to him that we support Union Labor and that the clerk behind the counter was trying to earn enough money to support her/himself. When one of the courtesy clerks tried to usher us into the automated line I said that we preferred the Union line and would gladly wait. She looked at my grandson and then at me and said "thank you."

Unions are one of the few examples left of working class institutions. We must work to strengthen them if there is to be any hope of a better future.

[bridgit]

91. Yes, and the trades based education that goes along with it...

[radical noodle]

93. Yes!

And union workers are the greatest! I would indeed spend more, and do when I can.

:toast:

[lunatica]

94. I am one.

[Alias Dictus Tyrant]

96. Other

I support people's right to form unions, but have no interest in being affiliated with one. I don't "support" them, but I don't say no one else should either.

I know it will offend many here but while I am sure there are good unions, every single union I've ever been involved with was a breeding ground for mediocrity. Thanks but no thanks. A moot point, I no longer work in an industry that has unions. Unions seem to make the most sense in industries where employee productivity has a relatively low variance naturally. If the variance is very high, unions hurt rather than help.

[Iggo]

98. I voted "other"...

...but only because I thought it said "oh brother."

[mdmc]

100. lol

yupyup -
i can see that..

[femmocrat]

103. Proud member of a teachers' union here!

We are the people the repukes love to hate! :hi:

[upi402]

107. 95% hate the DLC too

I'll betcha!