Late last week GritTV with Laura Flanders covered the struggle of the warehouse workers in California’s Inland Empire to join together in unions, talking to economist Dean Baker, CtW communications director (a.k.a. my boss) Greg Denier, organizer Daniel Medress, and laid-off warehouse worker Isabel Castelan.
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Comments (2)
Comments posted to CtW Connect are the sole property of the individual posting them, and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoints of Change to Win, its affiliated unions, or its leadership.
If you are going to allow Union organizer to speak, you should allow the same options to employers to voice their opinions as to why they don't need a union. I work in Human resources, and I know any action to lay off worker is difficult for companies as well. They are not getting away with anything, nor is the intent to deny workers the opportunity to work. It is our current economy! It doesn't matter whether you are represented by a union or not, if the work is slow, unfortunately employees will be downsized. In this economy, why take more money out of the employee's pocket by having them pay union dues. I am a strong believer that everyone should be treated with respect and the way you would want to be treated. What will a union do, except maybe hurt the economy more. From first hand experience, most temp agencies offer benefits to temp workers similar to benefits their own employees receive. I know because this is a deal breaker for me.
Posted by PJ on April 15, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Posted on April 15, 2009 at 2:27 PM
Amen PJ!!!! Unions are more concerned about their own pocket, not the pockets of hard working people. People must remember that a Union is a business, too. More Unions means more union dues and more money in the pockets of union leaders. Unions want to use the current state of the economy as a ploy into making good, hardworking people believe that a union can save your job. This is NOT the case! Ask any GM (General Motors) employee who paid $100-$200 in monthly dues, was laid off or had their plant closed, what has the union done for them since? -- NOTHING! Does the Union give you back the union dues paid when you go on strike or have been laid off - NO AGAIN! The economy is the driving factor behind lay offs and a Union does not have any ability to stop that. Any good company is simply trying to make good business decisions to survive a tough economic time to keep their doors open. Laying off is the last resort and trust me, they don't like to do it. A Union environment will only make things worse and drive good companies away. There is a good reason why union membership has declined over the years -- we don't need them in today's world and it shouldn't cost an employee one cent to speak up for themselves if they have questions or concerns with an employer. Don't believe the union hype and listen carefully to both sides.
Posted by BC on April 15, 2009 at 3:43 PM
Posted on April 15, 2009 at 3:43 PM