Fred wrote: Unions are the colossal mill stone around the left wing parties.
That is definitely the claim and for the undecided voter ( working poor,) its sad to think that it might be the truth that the rich wrap their lies in and sucker votes every four years.
In our province every time the NDP get into power or come close to power, the right claims that business will leave due to the unions and high taxes...
However, what if its all made up? What if in the big board rooms they decide to shelve investment, and close down plants, -not because the conditions aren't favourable, but because they just are manipulating democracy by fulfilling their right wing party buddies' fear mongering and getting favourable politicians and favourable policy.
(Not for business mind you, but policy that allows them to keep and accumulate even more wealth.)
We see mills close and mines close and think it the cart pulling the horse as if government and social policy actually have that kind of power in a global economy?
Perhaps it's not the existence of unions that's the problem but rather rich and powerful white men running things to their advantage behind closed doors
(I know call me a conspiracy nut but seriously, what if?)
Auto workers making $80 / hour, Hockey players making millions and then ....surprise surprise take umbrage if they're called on it as though it is now a God given right.
Honestly I thought selling your services to the highest bidder and the sacrosanctness of a binding contract was a God given right. But then again I was raised in a province where the far right have been in charge since Amor d' Cosmos...
Unions were initially a necessity, it restored a balance between powerful business and the guy that was pulling on the rope. But it's now completely political supporting political goals rather than looking after their members.
I would think the logical conclusion from that observation is that the people and organizations on the other side of the negotiating table have changed from Ebenezer Scrooge too. It's a global economy with the World Bank and IMF who are even more political...
I was a union member at one time. But here's the reason why, I was free to make my own choice if I joined or not I was not bludgeoned by those that insisted i couldn't work unless I was a member.
Collective bargaining is a bitch...but it works .
And by the way even the UK, once a bastion of unionism no longer demands union membership to have a job or work. Unions cannot be considered democratic
They are the definition of democratic people who join together in common cause... What you are taking about is pure propaganda by those who stand to lose from that collective protection.
Auto workers unions ,amongst others, did as much damage in ensuring work be sent overseas as the companies that followed that route.
When I helped my cousin with the starter on her vauxhall I was stunned to find I was looking at a GM cavalier under the hood...it is an identical car underneath the sheet metal skin.
Including the complete shitty planned obsolescence of all American cars...the real reason that foreign manufactured cars have stomped the shit out of North America.
The banks and the auto makers sell you debt in the guise of a piece of crap car that falls apart right away and people flock to German and Japanese cars and its the unions fault??
Not only that but the unions also invested their pension plans into the companies that moved overseas ie they supported the move !!
Cause the corporations offer such great retirement plans...
Unions are not democratic. They, NHLPA, frankly express no concern about the players that will have retirement shoved down their throats. Just like the old union organizers using a baseball bat to enforce solidarity the PA members like to prevent open discussion and impart fear regarding any one opening their mouths.
That manager from Detroit with the 200 grand fine from the NHL for offering his private opinion publicly says hello...
The NHLPA members have completely lost sight that they are paid multi millions for playing a game they love, there's not many other brothers that can say that. No concern or side about their union brothers forced out of work by their actions, it's simply greed before every thing. They like to dress it up as a moral fight ...it isn't it's greed first and foremost.
Well yeah, greed is the reason the whole system works anyway. Everyone is motivated by greed, why should players not be allowed?
What ever you might say about the owners ...they're the ones that take 100% of the risk and put up countless millions to promote and develop the league.
Can't buy that one, except for a few privately built and funded rinks [Griffiths, GM Place] most have been built with at least some if not mostly public money so its not 100% risk...
The players take no such risk ( they're insured up to their eye balls ...by guess who free enterprise )
Manny says hi ...what's the premium for insurance that replaces an eyeball I wonder?
and even in the minimum make enough is one season that should ensure a good standard of living for the rest of their life's and if they invest wisely can continue to compound that salary ( investing in the business world you so abhor ) to finally fall from their perch a lot wealthier than when they were born. To me that sounds like a winner
So what you are saying is that workers rights and civil rights have a means test?
if its a Walmart greeter solidarity has its place
But
If we pay you enough you should enjoy indentured servitude....
BTW
I heard some one compare pro athletes to musicians you buy the album and some goes to the recording company and some goes to the artist.. . but which one works for which?