You're worth whatever the market value of airline pilots is. There's an excess supply of them due to industry downsizing, but the unions keep salaries artificially inflated, so you're prob. making more than the market price would be absent a union.

I agree that it's important to have skilled pilots who get adequate rest, but I don't see the connection between unionization and safety.

 

My Union negotiated higher rest requirements then the pathetic FAA mandated ones, some airlines go by the FAA, on could argue on Unionization & safety.

Look, in life you don't get what your worth, you get what you negotiate, some UNIONS are rock-solid and can negotiate a great deal, some workers don't need a union because work rules/pay are good, a Union (for me) can be a great tool to unify a labor group and offer many services as part of a membership (this occurs more so in an Airline Union then any other industry)

Jumpseat Committee
Scheduling Committee
Furlough Committee
Professional Standards Committee etc..........

 

Unions have horrendous timing. They always want the most when times are bad and the least when times are good. If you ask for a raise when your company is just trying to stay out of bankruptcy, the odds are not in your favor.

Unions can cause the collapse of firms that otherwise could stay afloat. The logical way is to cut salaries and jobs during down times so you can recover as quickly as possible, for everyone involved.

 

yes. that's their purpose.
I would argue that UAW is very helpful to its worker, who apparently won't earn as much without the UAW.

 

[QUOTE=JoeyBalls,Sep 15 2008, 02:12 PM]what you fail to realize is when you push people (labor groups) to the point where there is nothing left to lose they will glady burn the place down, along with all of your money.

 

No. They also have obligations to their employees and customers. Oh ya, do not forget big brother and uncle sam.

 

And do you think those obligations should be enforced by the government (which is chosen by, and accountable to, the people), or by unions (none of the above)?

 

Unions enforce entitlements, not obligations.

 

This is an informative thread.

One question, I've read in a few car rags that it costs a typical unionized domestic auto manfucaturer anywhere from $1-$2k per car/truck in medical costs alone. Is this just a reference to the inefficiency of said auto company or is it because the Unions are demanding so much? Sorry for no weblink, this is paraphrased from my poor memory.

 

i think that's union demanding medical benefits of retirees. i couldn't find the link for it but i remember the retiree's pensions and medical benefits are pretty large. GM is willing to make payments in exchange of union taking responsibility of the retiree's medical expense.

"The IUE-CWA and GM are in the final stages of negotiating a new labor contract. GM wants the union to assume responsibility for the medical benefits of retirees in exchange for a set payment from the auto maker."

http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articl...75_FORTUNE5.htm