Bill before Congress to force you to join a union!
By debrakcarey
@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
August 21, 2009 10:34am CST
To most Americans, the term "card check" means nothing.
But to union bosses, this term potentially means billions of extra dollars collected in forced union dues, above and beyond the $7 billion in forced dues and "fees" that unions already report collecting each year on forms filed with the U.S. Labor Department.
Card checks empower union bosses to force a business's employees to accept a union as their exclusive bargaining agent solely through the acquisition of signed union authorization cards from employees in a particular bargaining unit. Since union officials themselves keep the signed cards until they obtain the required number, workers have no real privacy rights vis-à-vis Big Labor in this process. And under the watchful eyes of union organizers, workers may be intimidated into signing not just themselves, but all their nonunion fellow employees, over to union-boss control.
http://www.nrtwc.org/facts-issues/cardcheck.htm
S.560/H.R.1409
2 people like this
6 responses
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Aug 09
Labor unions once did a lot of good in a time when companies could do just about anything and employees had no recourse whatsoever. But times have changed. There are laws to protect employees from abuse (in some places they could be better, of course). In the meantime, unions have become a great, big power grab and union leaders are more concerned with perpetuating the organization than with helping the little guy.
Unions should be optional, not mandatory. This is wrong on so many levels...
1 person likes this
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
21 Aug 09
I agree that unions served an important purpose at one time. But labor laws are in place, as you say, to protect the workers, and unions just siphon off money from their members. I know there are perks to being in a union, the health insurance, the pension, etc., but for a truly hard worker it can be demoralizing to know that the lazy slob next to you gets the same high hourly rate as you do because he has connections. They exert extreme influence over the members politically as well. Unions are not what they used to be, and forcing anyone to be a member of a union is abridging their rights.
2 people like this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
21 Aug 09
Not a surprise, I'm sure unions are one of Kennedy's (and other people's) biggest supporters...
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Can you believe this....I just found this after doing a search on union violence.
United States v. Enmons, 410 U.S. 396 (1973) is a controversial U.S. Supreme Court case which held that violence, if carried out in furtherance of a labor union's objectives, does not violate the law according to the extortion and robbery provisions of the federal anti-Racketeering Act of 1934 or the Hobbs Act.
The case involved a labor strike in which union members fired rifles at three utility company transformers, drained the oil from another, and blew up an entire company substation. The labor union in question was seeking a higher-pay contract and other benefits from their employer, the Gulf States Utilities Company. The Court decided that the union involved was immune from prosecution because their violent acts were in pursuit of a legitimate union objective.
See what happens when you turn your back on politicians....and HOW important a Supreme Court appointment is!
@tdemex (3540)
• United States
21 Aug 09
The right to work law has destroyed the middle class in this country and really is a big money maker for the the rich. So it's boils down to the same old story, make the rich richer or keep the middle class? it's a matter of choice, I'd prefer to eat steak than rice and beans! 
tdemex (the union guy)
tdemex (the union guy)@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Needless to say, I disagree. Check this out.....
http://www.nilrr.org/node/31
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
http://www.nilrr.org/node/89
I'm sure you would prefer to eat steak. But I'd prefer, again...to make my own choices and decisions. I guess I'm just funny that way. I really HATE to be told I HAVE to do anything.
The above link will give you info on how the 'right to work' law actually helps the economy.
1 person likes this
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Hi, Debra!
Florida is one of many states with "right to work" laws. These are not going to be overturned by an attempt to get a federal law passed. Union bosses might try really hard to make it happen, but in this case, they haven't much of a chance.
@cobrateacher (8432)
• United States
22 Aug 09
Good for them! If people were forced to join unions, would the unions be guilty of violating anti-trust laws? What if the members didn't agree with their unions? I think those questions are the reasons for right to work laws, which should be in every state.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
22 Aug 09
aahhh...thank you, we agree. 
I sure hope you're right. Missouri does not have a right to work law. If the shop is union...you must join. That is why two of my son's went into business for themselves. I'm glad they did...they're making more now than they did at the shop. Contrary to the union guy up there who says he is in a union so he can eat steak...my boys are eating steak all on their own! 
I sure hope you're right. Missouri does not have a right to work law. If the shop is union...you must join. That is why two of my son's went into business for themselves. I'm glad they did...they're making more now than they did at the shop. Contrary to the union guy up there who says he is in a union so he can eat steak...my boys are eating steak all on their own! @debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
22 Aug 09
There are several union shops in the town I live in. DSR makes trailers and other equipment for the military. I know about ten of the men who work there...none like being in a union and complain about the high dues constantly. I also know the man who was my son's union steward, his wife and I worked together...and he tried very hard to help my son who was hurt get his workman's comp started (he was off for two months) It took a whole month to get this JUST started. He also was passed over, the only painter in the whole plant to have gone to school to do what he did (through GM)and the job given to a man HE had to train to do the job! The pay would have been $2.50 more an hour! He refused to train the man and dared them to fire him....he worked another year there and when he had the way he started his owm body shop...doing what he's wanted to do since boyhood...cusomize hot rods and doing body and paint on cars for used car dealers...the GM dealership here is looking to have him do some of their repair work as well....his custom cars are in car shows all over the area. P*ss on the UNION!
@SomeCowgirl (32189)
• United States
26 Aug 09
Weren't unions formed to give workers rights, and to ensure they get their due money? It's kind of sad that it's turning into a money hungry organization then!
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
21 Aug 09
And we wonder why this country is in the shape it is in now.
Well let me tell you. We want good paying jobs. We want great benefits. But when we go to shop we want a bargin. We want to buy cheap. So therefore we do not usually buy american goods. We buy good from China. Which in turns hurts the american workers because when their products are not selling the companies lay off or dont have money to hire more people or pay for benefits.
Ameican companies have a VERY hard time staying competitive in today market because of their overhead costs....much caused by unions. Why do american products cost more? Because the workers cost more.
So one of two things needs to happen.
1. Workers except less pay and benefits so the companies and be more competitive in the global market. But most poeple won't take the pay cut because they can't afford to or dont want to.
2. Consumers start buying american products even if they cost more. Most people either can't afford to pay more of items...or won't because they want to use the money they save being on the cheap for other things.
We have to face some hard realities. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
Either we are willing to take less pay or we are willing to pay more for our products. Because we the people of this country have caused this problem.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Figures...
Early today (11/15/99), President Clinton announced the finalization of trade agreements between the United States and China that will make it possible for China to join the World Trade Organization.
Under the terms of the agreement, China will remove its existing trade barriers and be granted permanent normal trade relations (NTR) status by the U.S., thus allowing Beijing favored access to U.S. markets.
@jonakyl (493)
• United States
21 Aug 09
What's wrong with working hard to prove you are a valuable employee? Improving yourself in the workplace? Working overtime when needed? All so the lazy guy in the cube next to you gets a nice raise too since you are bargaining collectively for pay raises?
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Not to mention making the union bosses rich...out of your paycheck. Then have them tell you that you must go on strike and exist on the bare minimum. My son HAD to join a union to work as a painter in a plant that took government contracts. When they went on strike he was reduced to 1/3 his pay....and almost lost his house.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
21 Aug 09
Exactly, and unions are about to get even more power under this new legislation. I guess Obama took a lot of union money for his campaign. Take a look at these links. The government is clamping down on us from every side. IF this new legislation passes you will HAVE TO be a member of a union to work, small businesses will go under and working for cash will be a big NO NO.
