Matt Wuerker for October 22, 2021

The same as Brexit in a nutshell.

Actually, most people don’t realize that the Taft-Hartley Act took care of this problem a long time ago – republicans got it passed so that if there is ANY kind of union in a workplace, that union is REQUIRED to support non-members as well as members with equal zeal – and if they shirk or slack off, the union can be decertified – company wide.

And, no, the non-member is NOT required to pay dues equivalence to get that protection.

Ya, go it alone. I’m sure you can bend the corporation to your will.

Teachers unions, and all unions, should not be thought of as a stand-alone entity. They are often part of a broader picture, both economically and socially.

To denigrating unions as a whole is the same as denigrating anyone who ever fought, in any manner, for a better life for themselves and their families.

Denigrating unions insults descendants of individuals who stood up to thugs and guns.

Would anyone who lumps unions together and calls them bad be willing to work 7 days a week, watch their children work long hours 7 days a week, be forced to buy only from the company store, have no recourse when you are let go or fired on a whim?

Anyone who makes blanket statements about any topic is a small-minded individual who does not have either the intellect or integrity to be worthy of participating in a serious discussion.

Not that this describes anyone on this comment thread.

The ‘Go It Alone’ path should be leading to a brick wall or going backwards or over a cliff for most workers.

I suspect he’ll join the Lollipop Guild.

The union I belonged to was for the most part, exemplary. Officers and stewards were dedicated to improving the lot of the rank and file. It also helped that the DOL closely monitored both Union and Management activities. The union literally kept my family alive with fair pay and the ability to access health care.

While those who don’t join the union get a free ride. We can thank past union activity for entitlements we take for granted. I was a union member and proud of it. I recently asked if I could rejoin in retirement. LOL.

Hmmmm…

“Think teachers can’t be fired because of unions?…”

https://tinyurl.com/k92ebdem

When you come to a fork in the road, take it.

I recall that Jimmy Hoffa liked the Teamsters Union pension fund. How did that work out for him ? . . . . /S

A tour of duty in the Fisher body plant in the ’30’s, or the steel industry before unions, or the meat packing business today would probably suggest the better path to the querulous or undecided folks.

Teach for one year, then come back and comment.

Boy, this is a hard one.

Teachers unions also helps protect teachers from bad administration staff. I know there are a few bad teachers and also some bad administrators, both need to be called out. Most unions work to do just that.

Mr. Wuerker forgot to include the hefty Union dues and the bloated bureaucracy on the sign to the left.

I have come to feel the Republicans exemplify the “failure” of public education.

No hard hat and briefcase.. this guy is going it alone.. let the unions do the dirty work.

The way to eliminate unions is to have good management. Funny thing is I have notice that some of the worse employees become managers.

The house I grew up in in the 1950’s had a Westinghouse washing machine (front-load, little glass window) and dryer, a Frigidaire refrigerator and a General Electric stove. THEY WERE ALL MADE IN AMERICA WITH UNION LABOR.

From my reading of labor history, the case for unions seems very strong. And my own family history as well. But society is complex, and all institutions need countervailing institutions to keep them in check, that includes unions.

Need courses in Critical History of the Labor movement in America.

Going it alone AKA “right to work” harder for less

A company gets the kind of union it deserves.

I’ll be dammed, for once in it’s life, k.e. got it right. Oh well, every dog has its day.

I spent 40 years working a union job. I have a decent pension to show for it and I still have health care. Any working man who is against a union job is a moron who is probably killing himself for $7.25 an hour.

How are things at Hostess?

The “Road less traveled?”