Workers Unions

[Brandon Rhea]

<div align="center">Are They Worth It?[/b]</span>
Written by Adamis</div>

Workers Unions: are they worth it? Should people really pay that much each week/month to basically be one of the crowd, a sheep that follows everyone? In the past, some countries have required that all workers be part of a union. Other times, countires have outlawed Workers Unions altogether.

What do you think of them? Are you part of one? Will you join one when and if you join the work force? Do you think they should shouldn't be required or do you think it should be mandatory for everyone to join them? Do they have too much power, or not enough?

<span style="color:gold">BAC EDIT: This topic hasn't been replied to in one month so it has been locked and moved to the Debate Room Archives.

 

[Scarface]

Worker unions can be helpful as well as hurtful. Protecting the rights of workers, but then hurting the economy if a major plant goes on strike.

Unions shouldn't be mandatory of course not, rather an option for those who need it. Those who want it for a raise shouldn't be allowed to be in one. But I guess that is where we run into a double standard, unions are to protect the rights of the workers yet we deny some from being in one. A tricky issue.

I suppose that I will join a union if I ever get in that type of business. Other than that, it just depends on how the company in question treats its own workers.

 

[Adamis]

Well in the 1970s in NZ everyone in the country who was in the work force HAD to be in a union. Mind you this was in the days when everyone had a job in a Government department and unemployment numbers could be counted on two hands for each individual person on the unemployment benefit.

 

[Matt]

Hmmmmm

Hmmmmm

 

[Adamis]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Absolution @ Oct 6 2006, 07:03 AM) [snapback]118434[/snapback]</div>

Hmmmmm

Hmmmmm
[/b]

Thats a very interesting post there Matt. Are you actually going to make a point or just sit there huming and rubbing your chin?

 

[Matt]

Bit of both,

 

[Adamis]

Well as long as you don't start rubbing another part of your body.

 

[Lillianne Crasse]

I have to agree with what some have said already. It's an issue where they can be both good and bad.

The whole reason for an union to even exist is to speak on behalf of the blue collar workers in a voice where management or the CEO will listen. The only way to get through to some of them is through money. In my line of studies with the health and safety field, I have to learn how to speak the language of the mgmt, that is money, to justify why changes or upgrades need to be in place. If it's costing tons of money up front and they aren't likely to do it unless you've got an excellent reason for implementing it.

The Unions work similarly. When the rights of the worker are hindered, they step in. However, if the union goes on strike, all suffer...those in the Union who don't go to work and go without paychecks and also the company and investors for lost profits.

Here locally, we had the local phone company go on strike for a month or longer. People who needed technicians out to their homes or wanted new lines were having to be put on waiting lists. Consumers called the company furious for the wait time and the pressure was put on by consumers as well as workers. Eventually, a deal was made and the strike was over. Could these people have gotten what they needed without the Union? Depends on the type of management you have. If management is good to you and listen to the workers, you don't really need one. Yet, if you work in horrible conditions and there's no improvement, you might want to consider it.

I do believe there's something similar to an union for actors as well that limits the numbers of hours they can work a day and guaranteed flat payrate which no one can go below.

Just a few tidbits.

 

[Adamis]

Yeah but then you also get asshole unions that are like "You know what, I would love to have a 2 hour lunch break instead of the 1/2 hour that I am getting now. Lets go on strike!!!"

 

[Matt]

British leyland.

5th biggest car company during it's time.

Unions crippled it.


Message from this.

never give them to much power

 

[Sovereign]

Boring debate.

This thread is now about me.

 

[Matt]

Just don't post in threads you deem boring please.

 

[Kalin Morne]

Should I even bother? >.>