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Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Live By The Union, Die By The Union


Just like many other institutions in America, the Union has outlived it's initial purpose. Due to the fact that at one time, this country had slavery. Not to mention sweatshops and illiteracy. We needed something in place, to balance the scales. Just like the NAACP, and the KKK. Yes I said the KKK, they are a sort of a Union. They were initially formed as a protection group. To shield the southern landowners, from the overspill of reconstruction. Just like other groups with the same inspiration. It took on a personality of it's own. Unfortunately it rains on the just, as well as the unjust. The same things that happen to the bad, also happen to the good. This attitude of entitlement is killing our country. In our efforts to even the playing field. We have come to desire and expect things, that ultimately close us out altogether. What goes around comes around. We don't have control of when the day of reckoning comes.

For an example, who needs four pair of glasses in one year? How do we guarantee raises, when the money hasn't been made yet? What if the product doesn't sale? If your union agrees to something for it's present members, but leaves the new ones out. That should indicate they're not bargaining in good faith. A simple lesson in economics, should come into play. How do you expect those after you, to make it on less than you did? Some of these retirement packages are so lucrative. People in retirement, make more than those who work. Deals that were made during the big industrial years, are outdated today. With these big paychecks, what have the recipients done. Other than prepare a new generation, for more of the same. Which by the way you've already sold out. The general idea seems to be get yours while you can, let them get theirs later. I guess we can now safely assume this results, in the loss of jobs.

I often like to say, "if you don't want to spend more yourself, where does it come from"? I know this doesn't coincide with the Union philosophy. If everyone saw it like this, they wouldn't collect those membership dues. When I worked on a Union job, it was general knowledge. The people that do their job, don't need the Union anyway. The Union only comes into play. When you get into trouble, or at negotiation time. Neither one of which really matter, if you don't have a job to begin with. Let's get a Union of the minds. Let's get on one accord. Let's do and expect what's right.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous6:21 PM

    As a union member I won't agree with you. But I understand your point.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous 4:21,

    My point exactly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Firefighters union wins pay raise vote


    Next up: Full council will consider the 1% measure
    By Chris Conley
    Contact
    May 23, 2006
    The Memphis firefighters union gained a victory Monday in a showdown with the City of Memphis over wage increases.
    By a vote of 2-to-1, the City Council impasse committee accepted the International Association of Firefighters proposal for a 1 percent pay increase for the next two years, beginning in July.


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    The city is proposing that unionized employees get no raises during that time.
    On June 6, the impasse committee's decision is scheduled to go before the full council, which defeated a similar recommendation for the Memphis Police Association 7-5.

    Thomas Malone, chief negotiator for the firefighters, expressed optimism that the full council would see things the firefighters' way.

    "I have every bit of confidence in the system," Malone said.

    Council member Dedrick Brittenum, who chaired the impasse meeting and voted with the firefighters, said he believed the city could afford the minimal raises without seriously affecting efforts to build a $50 million surplus within the next two years.

    One percent raises for the city's unionized employees would cost about $6 million during that time.

    Both the police and firefighters unions agreed to put off the 1 percent raise until next January, making it, in effect, a 1/2 percent raise for the 2007 fiscal year, which begins July 1. They agreed to revisit the city's financial situation next July to see whether the city could afford more salary increases.

    Brittenum would not predict how the full council vote would turn out.

    Mayor Willie Herenton has proposed freezing salaries for all of the city's 22 unions while the city tries to recover economically. Part of that plan is building a $50 million surplus.

    Council member E. C. Jones voted to accept the firefighters' package.

    Council Member Tom Marshall voted against.

    "I am very nervous about the future of this community," Marshall said. "I am disinclined to do it (vote for raise) until we have a better picture of where we stand."

    ReplyDelete