DISQUS

Allen · 1 year ago

Forced union dues are just as bad as forced union membership, if not worse. I was in a union shop for 3 years in a right-to-work state, and didn't pay dues. Everyone bitched because I was "enjoying the benefits of the CBA without paying the dues." Turns out the CBA was changed by the Union to lower our health care coverage (thereby "preventing" layoffs in a minimal-manning requirement contract?!?), and then there were 30% layoffs anyway when the contract was rebid and redefined a few months later. Unions are pyramid schemes designed to protect whomever was there first. They largely prevent/prohibit performance-based promotions and/or raises, and as they currently exist, they are a bane to the workplace. The idea of unions is outstanding, but the implementation and reality is a far cry from that idea.

tallport · 1 year ago

Sounds like bitter talk from somebody who probably never got involved in the process at all. Unions are as good as the people involved and they protect everybody. They secure a balance of power in the workplace and society as a whole. When unions do not reach agreements, somebody will cut them down for that too, but that does not make the process wrong no more than it would in any other representative democratic situation. It is not meant to be perfect, it is meant to be better than dictatorships, which is largely what the American workplace has become.

thegrunt · 1 year ago

YES on Amendment 47, the Camera supports Amendment 47. http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/28/let...

"Amendment 47 -- of course we support it! ... we want to have the right to work! -- would amend the state's constitution to prohibit the current allowable practice of forcing workers to join a union as a condition of their employment." The Boulder Daily Camera

"Let workers choose: Giving workers a voice is the purpose of unions" - The Boulder Daily Camera

"We think the best thing about this particular measure is its potential to make unions, when needed, better." - The Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/28/let...

Mr. E · 1 year ago

Tall,

Im sure youll find this bitter as well, because I agree with Allen. I am a teacher who once worked in a pro-union state in which I was forced to pay for union representation (I now teach in Colorado). Much to their dismay, I requested a refund every year for CTA's political action contributions, which was my right under federal law. I was, and still am, involved and vocal when it comes to teacher and worker rights, including union movements and discussions. I am not a member and do not pay dues. I put in my time and have never asked for kickbacks from my fellow colleagues.

Forced union dues are no different than forced taxes for illegal and immoral wars overseas, corporate kickbacks, or institutionalized religion. The coerced contributors disagree with the outcome of a portion of their hard earned income, yet they have little recourse.

Now, you sound like a union worker. Do you really believe that big business/big money unions really care about you? Have you ever worked with somebody who showed up late everyday (or didnt show up at all), spent more time complaining or having a break in the smoking section than they did working, yet earned more than you and continued receiving their contractual pay increases simply beacause it was their "right?" If so, I would guess that you are one of the very people I just desribed.

I have seen teachers, who we entrust our future to, blow off their obligations and duck behind their union. So long as they are are outspoken supprters, members, and due payers, they are untouchable. Of course, in California, their dues are dramatically reduced by the statutes that allow for the unions to charge their fee to all.

Currently, I put in 60 hours per week working with at-risk teens. I stay late calling parents, tutoring the handfull who really care, show up early to plan the best day possible, all the while many of my colleages arrive 5 minutes before the bell rings, and are out at the heals of the students. They receieve the same pay, benefits, and vacations as I. I am unable to make a case for myself from my own dedication and input and negotiate my own salary. All thanks to the knights in shining armor at the union office. Not that I need or want to earn more. Unlike my hardcore union cohorts, I do this this because it feels good to do the right thing. It's all about "Self-Actualization" (see Abraham Maslow).

Peace out!

jenny · 1 year ago

It's great to finally see SOMEONE get this right! There's a big difference the "fees" you pay for the cost of your representation and the "dues" that can be used for political contributions. It's about time a newspaper in Colorado actually reported the facts instead of just reporting right-wing talking points.

thegrunt · 1 year ago

Ritter’s Pro-Big Labor Play “Inane”


The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/headlines/ci_9199242 has taken Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter to task for firing the first shot in the battle between Big Labor and workers, calling his pro-union-bosses giveaway “inane.”

Ritter’s weakness also has been exposed in his inability to avert a nuclear showdown on this fall’s ballot between business and labor leaders. Ritter provoked the business-sponsored right-to-work initiative with his inane executive order granting collective bargaining rights to state workers.

That, in turn, provoked labor to run a handful of ballot measures that would be devastating to Colorado businesses. And Ritter, so far, has been powerless to stop it.

Ritter needs to spend this summer somehow rebuilding the coalitions he frittered away with his labor giveaway. Otherwise, Coloradans can look forward to two more lackluster years while the state’s highways, bridges and universities crumble.

thegrunt · 1 year ago

YES on Amendment 47, the Camera supports Amendment 47. http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/28/let...

"Amendment 47 -- of course we support it! ... we want to have the right to work! -- would amend the state's constitution to prohibit the current allowable practice of forcing workers to join a union as a condition of their employment." The Boulder Daily Camera

"Let workers choose: Giving workers a voice is the purpose of unions" - The Boulder Daily Camera

"We think the best thing about this particular measure is its potential to make unions, when needed, better." - The Boulder Daily Camera

http://www.dailycamera.com/news/2008/aug/28/let...

vanzetti · 1 year ago

Did you see this from the Post! They finally got it right too!

Could pressure on these organizations to report on what little 47 would actually do finally be paying off?

ErinRosa · 1 year ago

Yeah, I did.

There's no direct proof that the "pressure" changed the line on Amendment 47, but it is interesting, isn't it?