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Post by jdredd on May 20, 2009 21:35:42 GMT -5
"Okay, but what have you done for me recently"
LOL!
Unions will have to reinvent themselves or die out.
I think you guys have done a good job of answering my original question...
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Post by jdredd on May 20, 2009 22:33:40 GMT -5
Hey, don't get me started on the grocery strike. I think the chains committed crimes and got away with it. Who says crime doesn't pay?
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CM
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Post by CM on May 21, 2009 0:49:55 GMT -5
The markets can defend themselves, what the union did to the employees was borderline criminal. The strike resulted in a suicide, numerous divorces and unrecoverable wages. I can not see any benefit the union provided the employees.
So to your original question, no they are no longer needed.
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Post by jackoliver on May 21, 2009 13:45:21 GMT -5
Hey, don't get me started on the grocery strike. I think the chains committed crimes and got away with it. Who says crime doesn't pay? I agree with Jdredd... We should ask Walmart employees if unions are needed? We should ask underpaid workers if unions are needed...? We should ask employees with no benefits if unions are needed? We all know were the GOP stands on unions anyway.
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Post by bruce on May 21, 2009 16:00:54 GMT -5
On the way to meet my brother to discuss a family matter, I passed a rch on University around 42nd St. Apparently they have a food giveaway on Thursdays. The line was around the block, and was not predominantly homeless males, alcoholics and addicts, but mostly females with young children in tow. A pathetic sight in the richest country in the world. My rch's food program, once a month, is completely full, no newcomers. It is for the elderly, those on social security, SSI, and/or diability. We haven't been able to take any new "members" since August '08. It is quite difficult for our pastor, or the workers, to turn hungry elderly away.
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Post by johng on May 21, 2009 16:08:48 GMT -5
Bruce this is one area you and I can meet in the middle so to speak. The homeless and families with children that need assistance with food, etc. I don't understand why this exists in such large volume in this country and I really don't understand why the bleeding heart Liberals in Democratic party hasn't mustered the Hollywood glitter gang to rally support and solve all hunger right here at home! They seem to rally fast for Africa and other misfortunate places where they can get media coverage for doing so so much good, how about here at home?
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Post by jdredd on May 23, 2009 16:58:43 GMT -5
While here in the good old USA things are good enough that most people think Unions are irrelevant, in much of the rest of the world people are not so sanguine. For instance, in our so-called ally Columbia, Union organizers put their lives on the line every day. More than five hundred of them have been murdered in the last few years by right-wing death squads. And in many other countries Unions are completely against the law, or people are in so-called "Company Unions". The struggle for justice in the workplace is nowhere near over.
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CM
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Post by CM on May 23, 2009 17:36:41 GMT -5
We should ask Walmart employees if unions are needed? I’m not a defender of Wal-Mart but for kicks we should get the facts correct. Forbes magazine declared Wal-Mart in the top 100 best places to work. Salaries earned at Wal-Mart comparable in the discount retail industry, in fact Wal-Mart employees start at the same salary as unionized employees in similar lines of work. When the United Food and Commercial Workers tried to organize workers across the country, labor experts were brought in for "coaching sessions" with personnel who support unionization. Employees complained that these were intimidation sessions. Many such complaints are currently on file with the National Labor Relations Board. Wal-Mart employees DID NOT want to unionize. Wal-Mart is not without their critics, there are plenty, many pointing to the 70% turn-over the highest in the industry. Full-time employees are eligible for benefits, but the health insurance package is so expensive (employees pay 35 percent - almost double the national average) that less than half opt to buy it. However recently the rules were changed and now include free spousal coverage and all medications are $4.00. Another benefit for employees is the option to buy company stock at a discount. Wal-Mart matches 15 percent of the first $1800 in stocks purchased. Yet most workers can't afford to buy the stock. In fact, only 1 in 50 workers has amassed as much as $50,000 through the stock-ownership pension plan. Obviously Wal-Mart is far from perfect but if the employees do not want to unionize they should not have to.
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Post by jdredd on May 24, 2009 22:22:04 GMT -5
Yes, I do believe Wal-Mart employees do not want to Unionize. As I have said before, in this era of hyper-individuality, solidarity is a concept forgotten by the average American worker. It's the same reason membership in rches or political parties is dropping, that is, it's every man for himself. Another term for Unionization is "being represented", and few people want to be "represented" any more. And by the way, I never shop at Wal-Mart.
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CM
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Post by CM on May 24, 2009 23:13:33 GMT -5
When I was in the Marine Corps I met a French soldier. He said we were an undisciplined bunch. His example walk in the barracks of the American solider, foot lockers were open, pinup pictures were visible, guys without shirts. The barracks of the French soldier was immaculate, everything has its place. He qualified his statement, when the American solider needed to unite no army on the planet responded quicker in solidarity.
Perhaps that’s the basic nature of American’s when we need to unite for the good of our fellow citizens we do and we do it well.
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Post by jdredd on May 25, 2009 0:26:59 GMT -5
I hope you are right. I guess we might disagree when that "need" is.
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Post by Rocket on May 25, 2009 13:43:00 GMT -5
“Fascism should more appropriately be called Corporatism because it is a merger of state and corporate power” ~ Benito Mussolini
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 14:29:42 GMT -5
Maybe we should "unionize" our Military and force them to keep the barracks and foot lockers closed at all times. Afterall if Unions are for "Solidarity" then we certainly must want that for a Military task with protecting us as a nation, right?
How would the union handle the fox hole and bunker, no sleep for days at a time when the enemy is lerking about?
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Post by johng on May 25, 2009 14:37:42 GMT -5
I don't shop anywhere much and when I do it is to get that item I need and get out. Nothing against the mall or any store, I just don't like meandering there. I recently went to Wal-Mart to get a large coffee pot and some cooking items for a company camping event so I would have what I need to feed 75 people. Walmart had the items at less than half the price I found elsewhere and I appreciate my lovely wife for directing me to WalMart as I was able to get all things in one place at a great price. I had a chat with a well dressed and well groomed lady who told me she drives to Clairmont Mesa from Del Mar to shop WalMart for the value. She said the recession and tight money forced her there and she could not believe the added values and stated she would continue to shop there when things get better just to keep more of the money for other things. Strange how that fits right into the American way of life! My wife shops WalMart because she likes to use the savings to visit the SPA for a massage now and again
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Post by tpfkalarry on May 25, 2009 14:40:29 GMT -5
johng,
There is a difference between poor in the United States and the kind of catastrophic poverty that exists in other countries. Personally I do not understand criticism of good works simply because it is not aimed where you would want it. Suffering is suffering.
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