Why is unionization a subject of taboo?? - Page 14

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  1. Feb 3, '12 by
    Quote from FlyingScot
    Just to clarify terminology here, a "Right to Work" state is one where a person does not have to belong to the union to work a job that has unionized employee.

    Your mom worked in an "Employment at Will" state which means the employer can fire anybody, at any time, for pretty much any reason. If they don't have a good one...they just make one up.
    To further clarify, "Right to Work" laws are anti-union. Even in an "Employment at Will" state, an employer has to operate under the union contract agreement on discipline issues.

    However, since "Right to Work" makes it harder to unionize, "Right to Work" can help facilitate the abuses mentioned.
    laborer and lindarn like this.
  2. Mar 20, '12 by
    While I do not agree about unionizing unskilled labor, skilled medical jobs in the private industry should be unionized without a doubt. We are all looking primarily for patient safety and it is time to stop unsafe patient ratios.
    lindarn and osborncs like this.
  3. Mar 20, '12 by
    My guess is that unionization is a taboo subject because we do not rationally think about unions. Like the other taboo subjects our beliefs are based on emotion rather than reason.

    I oppose unions, admittedly for emotional reasons. Those who favor unions seem to have equally less than rational reasons for their support of unions.
  4. Mar 20, '12 by
    False Equivalency. Another tool used to manipulate people into acting against their own interests.

    People may well become "emotional" about:
    a 40 hour work week;
    stopping child labor;
    implementing safety standards in mines;
    requiring personal safety equipment to prevent exposure to substances;
    preventing workers from dying in fires because management locked them inside buildings;
    developing and implementing OSHA and NIOSH regulations;
    enforcing fair labor practices;
    keeping student teacher rations within reasonable limits;
    keeping nurse patient ratios within reasonable limits
    etc.

    The fact that people may become "emotional," over things that improve quality of life does not mean that people have "less than rational reasons for their support of unions." I don't find it "equally less than rational" that working people be afforded a safe and reasonable work environment.

    Furthermore, quite often the unions of helping professions such as teachers and nurses promote initiatives for the benefit of others, students and patients. Seeing the needs of others and advocating to improve the lives of others are not "equally less than rational reasons" for supporting unions.
    tewdles, megannicky, Code_VSA, and 4 others like this.
  5. Mar 20, '12 by
    Who determines what "unskilled" is. There are jobs that would appear to require no special training or education. But, the average person may not be able to walk in straight from the street and perform the job efficiently or well. Many of the jobs are physically demanding and dangerous.

    In some instances "unskilled" workers are more likely to be exploited and treated unfairly. They could greatly benefit from unions and I see no reason to deny them the right to unionize.
    megannicky, CompleteUnknown, Code_VSA, and 3 others like this.
  6. Mar 20, '12 by
    However, when unions ally themselves with a political force which at it's heart lies hatred of America and the American way of life, the long term interests of their own membership, their members' descendents, the puiblic and their own nation, then what we have is not a labor union, but something evil. Nurses need to take a real hard look at the national and oftentimes State leadership of their unions before signing on.
  7. Mar 20, '12 by
    The enemy is Corporations ! As Hospital Go Lean and Squeeze Workers................
    Last edit by laborer on Mar 20, '12
    lindarn likes this.
  8. Mar 20, '12 by
    Yeah.
  9. Mar 20, '12 by
    can i get a witness!

    Sure, to have your union you need people who follow the advise of those they perceive as more knowledgeable.... Do you really need to be a lackey for unions as much as those who oppose unions are considered by you as lackey's for management?

    Let's try another concept. What if, we actually did the stuff that helps people get better.
    Yeah, that would screw management, cuz they would find it hard to justify their job, and it would screw unions, cuz well they can't really help us make a difference.
  10. Mar 20, '12 by
    I believe many nurses in both unionized and non union facilities would love to do all the stuff that gets people better , but those who work in a chronically understaffed enviroment , cannot possibly continue over a period of time provide that level of care . Intthe area I work we have adequate staffing at ALL time because the union I belong to fought to gain the safe staffing laws , through that union I can continue to force my employer to maintain safe stafffing .
    As to your last paragraph ,I can't understand the point you are trying to make , sorry .
    Ruthfarmer, megannicky, herring_RN, and 1 other like this.