Only fair, in my opinion, to ask first: what is wrong with unions?
I’ll get there in a jiffy, sit tight folks 🙂
The reason I bring any kind of sexual/gender angle into this whole topic is only because I think modern-day unions are designed to degrade the individual creating a weaker and less-intelligent being. Well it’s been a while since we (women) were considered weaker or dumber, right? So, why are we still turning to some old-fashioned organization to have our backs? Are we not strong enough to stand up and negotiate for ourselves? Do we not have the conviction to do what is right or accept the consequences if we’ve done wrong?
I worked for a telecommunications company that was run ragged by the CWA. The Union was SO BIG that, even in a right-to-work state. If you’ve ever worked anywhere like this you know, the union is in the driver seat of your career, you don’t get to drive! You could apply for that promotion, and you might get it if the other ten teamsters with higher seniority happen to miss the application deadline. Also, come January 1st, when you learn you just got a 2% raise, don’t go celebrating without Joe Blow. You know Joe! He’s that annoying cat in the cubicle behind you! You know, Joe, he’s the guy who’s always on Facebook, playing solitaire or texting his girlfriend while you’re picking up his workload. He is getting the 2% also! Just don’t count on him buying the first round!
Unions in the public sector are even more of a laughing matter! I’m going to focus on the public sector, because this is where I currently work. Yes, I am the last alienated wierdo that is about to bitch about what everyone else thinks is just fine and dandy. I know I won’t change any minds. Besides, anyone who disagrees with me most likely would have stopped reading about two blog entries ago. My co-workers that are union members (I think all of them), have buckled under either the guilt-trips, name-calling, even threats made by union advocates. I’ve even heard management say things such as “You’re going to wish you had that union representation when you’re facing lay-offs.” Other co-workers insinuate that I am a “free-loader” for not contributing to the union. My conservative cop buddies have said “What if I have to shoot someone, who is going to represent me?” Umm.. shouldn’t your boss? Like the Chief or the Mayor? Yes, even the good guys who have passed extensive background tests, have been tested physically and mentally beyond what most could bare. Yes, even the men and women who put on a uniform to bravely serve and protect innocents have joined up- out of fear.
Public Sector Unions- The whole concept is completely undemocratic. As soon as an elected official shares even a fraction of his/her power with a union boss, the voters’ voices are silenced. The public has no vested interest in a union thug.. We as voters are supposed to be responsible for electing folks that represent us. If you care about your community at all I’m sure fair wages and benefits for teachers, police officers, fire-fighters and other state/city workers is an important to you. So, demand that your candidate is dedicated to providing them with reasonable and fair wages and benefits. Reasonable, I feel like this is a concept our society doesn’t quite grasp anymore.
Is it reasonable for teachers to demand $0 out-of-pocket, life-time healthcare benefits on top of their pensions and summers off (all paid for by the tax payers)? If you think that is reasonable… good luck finding a private company that would come anywhere near that! I thought the sense of entitlement was bad enough among the welfare recipiants I meet on the job, but it’s just as bad among public workers. A reasonable person knows, if pumped constantly, the well will run dry.
The public sector union is fueled by dues that are collected from workers that are paid by tax dollars. Where do you think those dues go? According the the “Wall Street Journal,” in 2010, The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) spent… (brace yourselves folks…) $87.5 million on the elections. Guarantee you only one side of the isle received that cash. So if you’re a conservative tax payer or even worse, a conservative public employee paying union dues… I sure hope you can afford to offset those dollars and perhaps send that cash to a candidate who wants to make some changes around the public workplace.
As a public employee, I know I’m not going to get rich and for right now, I’m O.K. with that. I know I probably don’t belong in the public sector, at least least not under it’s current design. I most likely won’t spend my entire career here. I think by working my ass off, I have at least made some positive impressions and perhaps some good references for my next endeavor. To those “poor, underpaid civil servants” my little brother would say:
“You don’t think you’re paid enough? Is your phone ringing?”
TTFN
