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Lets add (again) some international perspective from Germany. German unions were very strong from the 50’s through the 90’s but have waned a bit in the private sector recently. All of Germany is a “right to work” state in that unions can’t force you to join.
-
On the other hand common law accepts the unions as the sole representatives of workers. This means that if the union calls a strike you are on strike, whether you are in the union or not. The difference is money, because as a union-member you get part of your wages from the union for the duration of the strike. This is where your dues got, into the strike-coffers, not to some fat-cat union boss (although I’ve been in union headquarters and they have it very nice there…).
-
Normally (or “in the olden days”) unions would not call a strike on ONE company but a whole SECTOR, so if the bakers went on strike there would be no bread to be found. There are certain provisions to limit dangers to life and health, for example if the banks were affected by strike you still would get money from the ATM, there would be a core-crew (approved by the union) to prevent a total collapse of society.
-
If the employers (who are also organized in huge associations which are accepted by common law as their sole representatives) had enough of some strike they can call an industry-wide lockout, forcing the unions to spend a lot of money on their members. At that point normally politics/government steps in, some former PM or chancellor is called in as mediator, they have an all-nighter and the next day they announce this and that changes to the contracts (which will be valid for 12 to 36 month).
-
It all runs very smoothly, basically. Nobody would ever think of changing it, especially reducing the rights of unions. Yes, there are attempts, every time a strike is called, to have some judge block it, but they mostly fail. Anyway, even an averted strike is bad news for the company/sector, so they have an interest in working with the unions. Wish I could hear the same from the U.S., there unions are seen as “the enemy” and the beginning of communism. At least over here nothing could be further from reality, as evidenced by the fact that the Nazis AND the communists in east Germany both usurped the unions as the first thing they did after gaining power…
I work in America for a German Company, I like it very much. They preach safety and unlike most American factories where I have worked they really mean it here. Anyway I get news on my pc at work that is off the European ticker. Not influenced by American politics at all. I was glad to see this today: Global external news | Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (December 10) US economy picking up Chemicals, machines and computers are increasingly being produced in the US again – partly due to the fact that energy is very cheap there. More than half a million industrial jobs have been created after the worst of the recession…. I know the Foxettes will claim its false but why would Germans cook American books?
I see, much like the coalminers strike in GB, years back. In the US I was required to become a Teamster in order to get a summer job working in an Ice Cream factory. Yes, Teamsters make Ice Cream!! Why? How does ice cream leave the factory …
And that’s why America’s unions are in decline. Strike 6 months for a nickel? Strike for another union to get an additional day of holiday? No bread for the whole nation? Insane extremism. Power to unions in Germany, long may they support Greece!
Right to work means that the unions can not force you to join if you don’t want to. Unions hate that because there aren’t that many people that voluntarily join them. If you ran a business would you appreciate a union telling you how to run it?
There have been corrupt, even criminal, union members in the last 100+ years.. In my opinion, there have been even more corrupt and criminal business owners/managers. There has definately been greedy and self serving politicians in local and state government. The good corporations and business owners need little oversight. But people like Collis P. Huntington(“We Shall Build Good Ships Here; At A Profit If We Can, At A Loss If We Must, But Always Good Ships.”) are not why unions came about, though his shipyard did have a dedicated union. Good politicians don’t need to have their feet to the fire, they will make the unpopular votes and say what needs be said in order to serve the people and the Constitution. Unions aren’t needed if bosses and politicians are honest, honorable, and willing to put safety over profit. But that is not the case. Unions, good unions, don’t just get people elected. They don’t just protect the pay and benefits of skilled and unskilled workers. They force a standard of safety and quality on which consumers can depend. They protect workers who blow the whistle on safety violations, or EEO violations, or dangers to the environment and people in the area, and much much more. Unions are important and the attacks against them as a whole seems more like the recent efforts to make voting more difficult. Since unions tend to help Dems, Rep administrations in many states, are limiting the ability of Unions to exist just as they have created additional difficulties for minorities, young people, and old people to register to vote or actually vote. Morty and Redkay, enjoyed both of your posts. Thank you for the perspective. Respectfully, & Happy Holidayze
Does Lisa ever form her own opinion, or is she just a puppet? I have been reading her strip for two years now and I have never seen her not follow the right. You would think, just once, she would have a point to make that isn’t a blatant attempt to push an agenda. After all this time, I would like to hear her thoughts on somethings, if she has any of her own.
If one corporate CEO is equal to 1000 workers compensation-wise, and can negotiate as a single party for that massive amount of compensation, why shouldn’t the 1000 workers?
Just to be clear, in America this is not about unions it is about putting Republicans permanently in power. Shutting down unions takes money and influence away from Democratic campaigns increasing the likelihood that a Republican will be elected. And once they have the legislative and executive branches, they can do two things: ram through laws and appoint judges without debate. And once they are entrenched in a state, they are entrenched nationally.
Thank you, but I already knew that. Unions are not apolitical in Germany either, I hope I didn’t paint that picture. Our “Social Democratic Party” (which would be a bit left of the Dems) relies heavily on union-support, especially in the old union-strongholds along the river Rhine (coal, steel, cars etc.). But its more of a subdued kind of support. Unions endorse candidates, but they don’t canvass for them. Unions voice their opinion on laws, but they don’t go on strike over one. Unions are an accepted and valued part of the social contract amongst all citizens, they don’t have to scream and shout and bang the table anymore…
Mix a snifter of Bill Mauldin, a dash of Jeff McNelly and a very large dollop of common sense, and you begin to get an idea of Lisa Benson’s considerable talent.
Clay Bennett by Clay Bennett
Steve Benson by Steve Benson
Comments (53) (Please sign in to comment)
MortyForTyrant said, 5 months ago
Lets add (again) some international perspective from Germany. German unions were very strong from the 50’s through the 90’s but have waned a bit in the private sector recently. All of Germany is a “right to work” state in that unions can’t force you to join.
-
On the other hand common law accepts the unions as the sole representatives of workers. This means that if the union calls a strike you are on strike, whether you are in the union or not. The difference is money, because as a union-member you get part of your wages from the union for the duration of the strike. This is where your dues got, into the strike-coffers, not to some fat-cat union boss (although I’ve been in union headquarters and they have it very nice there…).
-
Normally (or “in the olden days”) unions would not call a strike on ONE company but a whole SECTOR, so if the bakers went on strike there would be no bread to be found. There are certain provisions to limit dangers to life and health, for example if the banks were affected by strike you still would get money from the ATM, there would be a core-crew (approved by the union) to prevent a total collapse of society.
-
If the employers (who are also organized in huge associations which are accepted by common law as their sole representatives) had enough of some strike they can call an industry-wide lockout, forcing the unions to spend a lot of money on their members. At that point normally politics/government steps in, some former PM or chancellor is called in as mediator, they have an all-nighter and the next day they announce this and that changes to the contracts (which will be valid for 12 to 36 month).
-
It all runs very smoothly, basically. Nobody would ever think of changing it, especially reducing the rights of unions. Yes, there are attempts, every time a strike is called, to have some judge block it, but they mostly fail. Anyway, even an averted strike is bad news for the company/sector, so they have an interest in working with the unions. Wish I could hear the same from the U.S., there unions are seen as “the enemy” and the beginning of communism. At least over here nothing could be further from reality, as evidenced by the fact that the Nazis AND the communists in east Germany both usurped the unions as the first thing they did after gaining power…
braindead08 said, 5 months ago
^ Appreciate the perspective Morty.
Redkaycei Repoc said, 5 months ago
I work in America for a German Company, I like it very much. They preach safety and unlike most American factories where I have worked they really mean it here. Anyway I get news on my pc at work that is off the European ticker. Not influenced by American politics at all. I was glad to see this today:
Global external news | Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (December 10)
US economy picking up
Chemicals, machines and computers are increasingly being produced in the US again – partly due to the fact that energy is very cheap there. More than half a million industrial jobs have been created after the worst of the recession…. I know the Foxettes will claim its false but why would Germans cook American books?
bhinkle said, 5 months ago
I see, much like the coalminers strike in GB, years back.
In the US I was required to become a Teamster in order to get a summer job working in an Ice Cream factory.
Yes, Teamsters make Ice Cream!! Why?
How does ice cream leave the factory …
Ms. Ima said, 5 months ago
@MortyForTyrant
And that’s why America’s unions are in decline. Strike 6 months for a nickel? Strike for another union to get an additional day of holiday? No bread for the whole nation? Insane extremism. Power to unions in Germany, long may they support Greece!
Ms. Ima said, 5 months ago
@
Right to work means that the unions can not force you to join if you don’t want to. Unions hate that because there aren’t that many people that voluntarily join them. If you ran a business would you appreciate a union telling you how to run it?
Respectful Troll said, 5 months ago
There have been corrupt, even criminal, union members in the last 100+ years.. In my opinion, there have been even more corrupt and criminal business owners/managers. There has definately been greedy and self serving politicians in local and state government.
The good corporations and business owners need little oversight. But people like Collis P. Huntington(“We Shall Build Good Ships Here; At A Profit If We Can, At A Loss If We Must, But Always Good Ships.”) are not why unions came about, though his shipyard did have a dedicated union. Good politicians don’t need to have their feet to the fire, they will make the unpopular votes and say what needs be said in order to serve the people and the Constitution.
Unions aren’t needed if bosses and politicians are honest, honorable, and willing to put safety over profit.
But that is not the case.
Unions, good unions, don’t just get people elected. They don’t just protect the pay and benefits of skilled and unskilled workers. They force a standard of safety and quality on which consumers can depend. They protect workers who blow the whistle on safety violations, or EEO violations, or dangers to the environment and people in the area, and much much more.
Unions are important and the attacks against them as a whole seems more like the recent efforts to make voting more difficult. Since unions tend to help Dems, Rep administrations in many states, are limiting the ability of Unions to exist just as they have created additional difficulties for minorities, young people, and old people to register to vote or actually vote.
Morty and Redkay, enjoyed both of your posts. Thank you for the perspective.
Respectfully,
& Happy Holidayze
Evil_Elf_BK
said, 5 months ago
Does Lisa ever form her own opinion, or is she just a puppet? I have been reading her strip for two years now and I have never seen her not follow the right. You would think, just once, she would have a point to make that isn’t a blatant attempt to push an agenda. After all this time, I would like to hear her thoughts on somethings, if she has any of her own.
Chillbilly
said, 5 months ago
If one corporate CEO is equal to 1000 workers compensation-wise, and can negotiate as a single party for that massive amount of compensation, why shouldn’t the 1000 workers?
furnituremaker said, 5 months ago
unions also train their workers to do stuff right…never belonged to a union,but I appreciate what they do, when they
are honest, that is
ossiningaling said, 5 months ago
@MortyForTyrant
Just to be clear, in America this is not about unions it is about putting Republicans permanently in power. Shutting down unions takes money and influence away from Democratic campaigns increasing the likelihood that a Republican will be elected.
And once they have the legislative and executive branches, they can do two things: ram through laws and appoint judges without debate. And once they are entrenched in a state, they are entrenched nationally.
MortyForTyrant said, 5 months ago
@ossiningaling
Thank you, but I already knew that. Unions are not apolitical in Germany either, I hope I didn’t paint that picture. Our “Social Democratic Party” (which would be a bit left of the Dems) relies heavily on union-support, especially in the old union-strongholds along the river Rhine (coal, steel, cars etc.). But its more of a subdued kind of support. Unions endorse candidates, but they don’t canvass for them. Unions voice their opinion on laws, but they don’t go on strike over one. Unions are an accepted and valued part of the social contract amongst all citizens, they don’t have to scream and shout and bang the table anymore…
coraryan
said, 5 months ago
@ossiningaling
And that would be bad, how???
dean said, 5 months ago
hee hee, thanks Lisa
mikefive said, 5 months ago
@Chillbilly
That’s only the big multi-national CEOs that make that kind of money. The annual mean for a chief executive is $176,550.