Of, By and For Corporations? … Or
by dave
Posted on 28 March 2009 | 7:35 am 
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Politics come into play when there is more than one person involved.
Some of you may have a sense of my views from comments you have read. Nothing is ever quite that simple, of course. I have “seen clouds from both sides now” as I have worked in both union and non-union labor positions, held management positions dealing with both union and non-union labor, and owned a small business.
Unions are not infallible.
For decades now, many union contracts are “sweetheart” deals and labor is not well served. Overall, however, unions were a major force in creating our middle class. They have been hammered by business and government for decades. We are at a point in history when we each must act to restore some choices to citizens, rather than continuing to cater to business. Henry Ford, while no liberal, understood that a well paid labor force expanded markets.
Pensions have been done away with by most companies, and we all know what has happened to 401k and 503c accounts over the past year. Living wage laws have been vetoed and the “poverty level” has not kept pace with real costs of living.
We are the change that we voted for.
If you feel as I do, I would ask that you contact your Congressional Representative and Senators to urge them to vote yes on the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA) as those who would defeat it, and refer to it as the “card check” law, are being disingenuous at best and dishonest at worst. It would not replace the secret ballot. Grassroots did as much as FDR, and we have to do what we can now. This act failed to pass in 2005, and this may be the last chance for some time.
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.senate.gov/
Education and Labor Committee: http://edlabor.house.gov/
HR 1409 on govtrack.us: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-1409
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242,005 Comments Since March 2009 
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My father and older brother are both retired Teamsters. They both have great health insurance even my brother who retired early and they both made enough wages where their wife’s did not have to work. Since my brother has a daughter who was born disabled that was a true blessing.
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dave, thank you for calling attention to this.
so many people don’t realize the things they benefit from in the work place that except for the hard work and sacrifice of unions in the past, none of us would have.
because of unions, there is no child labor. we have weekends, and a limit to the work week. we have paid days for sickness, and paid vacations. it was because of unions that the idea of employer provided health insurance came into being.
as with anything, of course they are not infallible. they are run by human beings. but they give the average worker a voice in the workplace, and the power of numbers. some of the wealthier unions have strike funds, that enable their workers to put teeth into the possibility of invoking that last ditch bargaining chip.
the way a company treats its rank and file is also indicative of its respect for its workers. sooner or later the workers realize when they are being used, not treated as respected members of a team. it’s way past time for employers to recognize that without their workers, they themselves would be nowhere.
EFCA has got to pass. and with it, i hope sincerely that union membership will once again begin increasing, to help level the playing field in the marketplace.
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Bill Moyers Journal from last night is a must see for James Thindwa on labor and William Greider on banking.
Video: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03272009/watch.html
Transacript: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/03272009/transcript4.html
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Did anyone hear read “The Family”?
I learned a lot about the 20s and 30s and Unions and how government got the “Christians” to think anti-union in those days and make them the enemy of the Authoritarian Christian Nation
boy, the more things change …
[Reply]
March 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
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Yeah — 1920s was a horrible time for labor — beginning in 1919 – when something like 1 in 5 American workers went on strike. Corporate power struck back in the 1920s and launched something called “the American Plan” that asserted labor unions were un-American and radical.
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March 28th, 2009 at 8:50 am
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P.S. wrong thread, but Happy Birthday!
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March 28th, 2009 at 9:01 am
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thanks
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You’re right about the role the media plays in the disinformation. As citizens we must begin to demand accuracy in reporting.
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March 28th, 2009 at 8:31 am
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The above comment was to Nellie. I’m getting used to this system.
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There’s a lot of misinformation out there right now about EFCA. The opponents are trying really hard to misrepresent the legislation and frighten the public. Sounds familiar, hmmm? I think calling congress is a must. I also think pushing back against “reputable” media outlets that spread misinformation should be part of the campaign to pass this bill.
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