Different perspective of the ILWU lockout
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From: Anchorage
PeaceLove&S2K & Strike:
I clearly understand where your coming from, and unfortunately your criticism of union labor is founded in far too many cases. IMO, part of the leverage that union has to negotiate wages, benefits, and work rules, is that the union members must be able to do the job BETTER than a non-union worker (in the case of skilled labor). If "doing it better" than a non-union worker is too far of a stretch, certainly the work ethic must be beyond reproach. In other words, you've got to be able to bring the skills to the table.
For the majority of skilled (unionized) labor this concept isn't a problem. I personally know hundreds (if not thousands) of union members that bring integrity, expert skill, and the desire to do the best job they can. They go the extra mile in the performance of thier job, and truly want to see the their employers succeed. It's human nature, nobody wants to be part of a losing team.
However, I must agree that sometimes the union can be it's own worst enemy by protecting members who hide behind "the contract" to cover-up incompetence and laziness. In an attempt to preserve jobs, unions have an untenable position in that they must represent and vigorously pursue worker retention in all but criminal matters.
I do want to make it clear that I'm NOT aiming my comments toward the ILWU. I really don't know enough about that situation to offer an opinion, my comments are general in nature.
One other interesting point is that no union has ever successfully negotiated a contract in the popular media (TV, or newspaper). In other words, you will never see a union spend (too much) dues money on a PR campaign to win public approval. It doesn't make sense to do so as it won't change a thing at the negotiating table. I wish the same were true for corporate management, although they do try to bias negotiations by influencing popular opinion. It's rarely successful, although it does lower public opinon of trade unions.
As Dennis Miller says "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong".
Best Regards -
I clearly understand where your coming from, and unfortunately your criticism of union labor is founded in far too many cases. IMO, part of the leverage that union has to negotiate wages, benefits, and work rules, is that the union members must be able to do the job BETTER than a non-union worker (in the case of skilled labor). If "doing it better" than a non-union worker is too far of a stretch, certainly the work ethic must be beyond reproach. In other words, you've got to be able to bring the skills to the table.
For the majority of skilled (unionized) labor this concept isn't a problem. I personally know hundreds (if not thousands) of union members that bring integrity, expert skill, and the desire to do the best job they can. They go the extra mile in the performance of thier job, and truly want to see the their employers succeed. It's human nature, nobody wants to be part of a losing team.
However, I must agree that sometimes the union can be it's own worst enemy by protecting members who hide behind "the contract" to cover-up incompetence and laziness. In an attempt to preserve jobs, unions have an untenable position in that they must represent and vigorously pursue worker retention in all but criminal matters.
I do want to make it clear that I'm NOT aiming my comments toward the ILWU. I really don't know enough about that situation to offer an opinion, my comments are general in nature.
One other interesting point is that no union has ever successfully negotiated a contract in the popular media (TV, or newspaper). In other words, you will never see a union spend (too much) dues money on a PR campaign to win public approval. It doesn't make sense to do so as it won't change a thing at the negotiating table. I wish the same were true for corporate management, although they do try to bias negotiations by influencing popular opinion. It's rarely successful, although it does lower public opinon of trade unions.
As Dennis Miller says "that's just my opinion, I could be wrong".
Best Regards -
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From: Baltimore
what does a company's profit have to do with how much the workers make? i look at the dock workers who's starting salary is almost twice that of what i made when i got out of college, and i look at what they're making on the average and ask if that's not a living wage, then what is? perhaps my perspectives are different cuz i see how much foriegn workers make, while toiling their lives away for goods exported to the US. it's funny how once i get into the sometimes very nasty business of international trade, i see things very differently. you may be outraged, as a consumer, to find out how much wal-mart is "saving" you money - but maybe most people don't care as long as they get their special.
another aspect of my annoyance is because i'm directly affected by the strike/lockout, and it's very upsetting for me, personally, to see these people making way more money than i do squabble about technology or whatever issue that's hampering these people away from work.
another aspect of my annoyance is because i'm directly affected by the strike/lockout, and it's very upsetting for me, personally, to see these people making way more money than i do squabble about technology or whatever issue that's hampering these people away from work.
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