union pro or con

Greed, lust for power, and corruption exist in every enterprise that involves man. This truth does not and should not keep man from attempting to make life better for the whole of us all. Unions have made many mistakes but have also brought about many changes in our society that have benefited us all. The weekend following a five day work week, the 40 hr work week, lunch breaks, overtime, restrictions against child labor and many more rights that we all enjoy every day are a direct result of union workers demands for justice and fair labor practices.

I don't believe that all corporations are unjust or treat their employees unfairly. I do however believe that their is nothing wrong with workers standing together to ensure that the relationship of mutual respect is sealed with a contract and any company practicing in good faith should have no problem with that.

On this day remember that Martin Luther King was assasinated while in Memphis to assist striking sanitation workers. Sometimes when its said that the pay is unfair thats because it is unfair. Also I would ask those that believe all unions are bad and only out for the dollar to look at history. Many of the strikes in this country have been related to working conditions and the safety of the work place but it is not wrong to look out for your own economic security. All executives of all companies have contract that ensure what types of raises and bonuses they will recieve, most regardless of whether or not the comapny did well that year. Should the average employee not have that right as well? Most are not asking for more than to keep up with inflation and the cost of living. While they are buying big houses and cars we are just wanting to feed and provide basic comforts for our families. We are not asking for handouts, just what is fair.

There is good and bad points to a union, but the big issue is with lay off it would be done on seniority which is only fair.

But lets not forget the extremely high amount of corruption and criminal activity that has plagued the history of union activity in this country. And where is Jimmy Hoffa buried anyway. Does all this corruption become sanctified just because we think it is for our benefit.

Nursing does very well at keeping all of us comfortable. The number of nurses Ive known who have raised their 4 or 5 or 6 and even one I know who f
has raised his 7 children and put them through college. I think that sounds like nursing is successful to me. Nurse who get into trouble are really a small per centage. Everyone else like anything else gets by nicely if they apply themselves. You dont need a union with a history of corruption for that.

So, the question is, "union pro or con." And your response just doesn't make any sense to me. Oh, I get the fact that you're anti-union alright. But you're trying to taint the whole labor movement because of a corrupt individual? Do you disparage religion because of a greedy pastor or two? Do you disparage government because of a crooked politician?

I don't recall reading a post anywhere in this forum where the author spoke about corruption being of benefit to anyone.

Now if a prounion type talks about the good history of unions that is ok. Talk about the dirt of unions, that is not ok. Is that what you are saying.

Educated union members know that the antidote for corruption in the labor movement is union democracy. Lessons of our forefathers have taught us well. Dedicated union activists know that "watchdog" is as an important part of their function as nurses do- (ask TDU-Teamsters for a Democratic Union and NY Nurses United -a new group or better yet check out: http://uniondemocracy.org/ )

Democracy is never won without a struggle, whether in a union or in a nation, (for some of the reasons already citied- greed, power lust) but is well worth the fight.

I'm thinking of the many examples in "utopian" literature- should we give up our freedoms because man is imperfect and corrupt? What kind of society would we be left with?

If I may- No one here is saying anything like that.

Many brothers and sisters risked life and limb struggling for democracy against corrupt union bosses rather than give up the right to have union representation. Their sacrafices helped toughen up laws and stengthened the labor movement.

We honor their memory no matter who reminds us about their legacy.

Union Vs Democracy vs Utopia a concept that would have done Orwell himself proud. I love it. Im converted.

Lets get real, " Employee Free Choice Act " will pass hands down this year....... Praise the Lord and pass the bullets http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/voiceatwork/efca/

In my book EFCA will be a very good thing for the workers of America, including nurses - BUT, by making organizing easier it will trigger a land rush of non-nurse unions fighting to sign up as many nurses as possible as fast as possible. While the process of organizing today is very difficult and the boss has all the upper hand, the one good thing about that is that it forces unions to do a really thorough job of educating and communicating with those they are seeking to organize. RNs are some of the highest paid hourly workers in the US, simply because we are so educated and so much in demand, so lots of unions will be anxious to sign us up. It's my firm belief that RNs are best served by a union that understands our professional issues - not by a union that largely represents steelworkers, or truck drivers or building maintenance people or even teachers. They may be fine unions (or not) but their issues and concerns are not the same as ours. The state nurses associations that are also effective unions, like NYSNA, PASNAP in Pennsylvania, MNA in Massachusetts and CNA/NNOC are the models to look to.