Unions Fight to End American Capitalism

[Douglass]

townhall.com/Columnists/BenShapiro/2008/11/26/unions_fight_to_end_american_capitalism


In the 1979 film Norma Rae, Academy Award-winner Sally Field, playing a textile worker, chats with Ron Liebman, a union organizer. I know the unions the only way were gonna get our own voice, make ourselves better, he tells her. She nods. I guess thats why I push, she says.

Todays labor unions arent pushing for a voice. Theyre pushing for better benefits; theyre pushing for higher wages; theyre pushing for more retirement pay. And theyre pushing American-style capitalism over a cliff.

While Americas trade unions are hardly conspiring to bring capitalism down about our ears, trade union leadership couldnt care less about the current economic crisis. Theyre still pushing for their perks. The union leadership is no longer in business to create decent jobs -- the union leadership is in business to boost its own power.

Take the Big Three automakers, for example. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler are in danger of bankruptcy. It isnt because they lack the technical know-how or the manufacturing capacity -- its because the United Auto Workers have made the cost of labor untenable. Writing Nov. 19 in the New York Times, former Michigan Gov. Mitt Romney stated that because of the UAW, American cars cost an average of $2,000 more to make than foreign cars. The average UAW worker makes $75 per hour in salary and benefits, as compared to $42-$48 per hour for workers in Japanese plants in the United States. The average UAW worker has an expensive health plan including laser eye surgery, hearing aids, and dental care -- and it costs him just a $10 premium per month. The retirement plans for UAW workers are even better -- thats why GM has three times as many retirees on the payroll as active workers. Chrysler workers get seven weeks of vacation time per year.

To read more click the link above

[richard]

If this "unionization by intimidation" law passes through Congress, look for businesses to get rid of their employees and hire temps, or move overseas.

These people can't see the forest for the trees.

[googoodan]

I would hate to see the Big 3 go down. But maybe that is what it will take for them to reorganize themselves without the UAW.
I'm no legal expert, but does legislation exist requiring the big 3 to recognize the UAW?

[andyr78]

Even if they are forced to recognize the UAW. They can certainly re-negotiate the current contract that is such a joke. If the people strike then just do what Richard said, hire temporary workers. People can only go so long without working. Or did they agree to pay them if they are striking also?

[richard]

I believe the strikers get some sort of compensation from the union while on strike, but it isn't nearly enough to survive even for a short time.

Anyone who refuses to provide for their families deserves what they get, IMO.

[seeingeyelobster]

Nov 25, 2008 21:36:19 GMT -8 Douglass said:

townhall.com/Columnists/BenShapiro/2008/11/26/unions_fight_to_end_american_capitalism


In the 1979 film Norma Rae, Academy Award-winner Sally Field, playing a textile worker, chats with Ron Liebman, a union organizer. I know the unions the only way were gonna get our own voice, make ourselves better, he tells her. She nods. I guess thats why I push, she says.

Todays labor unions arent pushing for a voice. Theyre pushing for better benefits; theyre pushing for higher wages; theyre pushing for more retirement pay. And theyre pushing American-style capitalism over a cliff.

While Americas trade unions are hardly conspiring to bring capitalism down about our ears, trade union leadership couldnt care less about the current economic crisis. Theyre still pushing for their perks. The union leadership is no longer in business to create decent jobs -- the union leadership is in business to boost its own power.

Take the Big Three automakers, for example. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler are in danger of bankruptcy. It isnt because they lack the technical know-how or the manufacturing capacity -- its because the United Auto Workers have made the cost of labor untenable. Writing Nov. 19 in the New York Times, former Michigan Gov. Mitt Romney stated that because of the UAW, American cars cost an average of $2,000 more to make than foreign cars. The average UAW worker makes $75 per hour in salary and benefits, as compared to $42-$48 per hour for workers in Japanese plants in the United States. The average UAW worker has an expensive health plan including laser eye surgery, hearing aids, and dental care -- and it costs him just a $10 premium per month. The retirement plans for UAW workers are even better -- thats why GM has three times as many retirees on the payroll as active workers. Chrysler workers get seven weeks of vacation time per year.

To read more click the link above

So this clown is maintaining that the average assembly line worker at a GM plant is making $75 an hour if you throw in their benefits? He is saying with a straight face that the average GM worker is pulling down $150,000 a year before overtime? Yeah, right

[Maxf1ex]

Jan 1, 2009 16:15:04 GMT -8 seeingeyelobster said:

Nov 25, 2008 21:36:19 GMT -8 Douglass said:

townhall.com/Columnists/BenShapiro/2008/11/26/unions_fight_to_end_american_capitalism


In the 1979 film Norma Rae, Academy Award-winner Sally Field, playing a textile worker, chats with Ron Liebman, a union organizer. I know the unions the only way were gonna get our own voice, make ourselves better, he tells her. She nods. I guess thats why I push, she says.

Todays labor unions arent pushing for a voice. Theyre pushing for better benefits; theyre pushing for higher wages; theyre pushing for more retirement pay. And theyre pushing American-style capitalism over a cliff.

While Americas trade unions are hardly conspiring to bring capitalism down about our ears, trade union leadership couldnt care less about the current economic crisis. Theyre still pushing for their perks. The union leadership is no longer in business to create decent jobs -- the union leadership is in business to boost its own power.

Take the Big Three automakers, for example. General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler are in danger of bankruptcy. It isnt because they lack the technical know-how or the manufacturing capacity -- its because the United Auto Workers have made the cost of labor untenable. Writing Nov. 19 in the New York Times, former Michigan Gov. Mitt Romney stated that because of the UAW, American cars cost an average of $2,000 more to make than foreign cars. The average UAW worker makes $75 per hour in salary and benefits, as compared to $42-$48 per hour for workers in Japanese plants in the United States. The average UAW worker has an expensive health plan including laser eye surgery, hearing aids, and dental care -- and it costs him just a $10 premium per month. The retirement plans for UAW workers are even better -- thats why GM has three times as many retirees on the payroll as active workers. Chrysler workers get seven weeks of vacation time per year.

To read more click the link above

So this clown is maintaining that the average assembly line worker at a GM plant is making $75 an hour if you throw in their benefits? He is saying with a straight face that the average GM worker is pulling down $150,000 a year before overtime? Yeah, right

There is more to what a person receives as pay then the take home amount you see.

Lets think about it, social security is match by by your company.

Is your job in an office, If so what is the cost for giving you a place to work? I drive about 30 miles a week in my personal SUV, all the rest of my driving is in the company truck. How much is that worth?

Retirement, how much does your company put into your account? Who is paying to manage the account?

Medical? How much is your company putting aside for you or your family.

Then there is the cost of unemployment, what does your company have to pay for you, matters not if it is used or not it is still paid into a government account.

How many weeks of vacation do you get? Sick days? Holidays? This is time you are paid for and yet do not work. So take all this time you are allowed and dived it by the time you do work and see how much your hourly rate changes. Do not forget the 2 15 minutes break for 8 hours work a day.

Long story short, I can see where if a company is good to its employees, the hidden pay you received could be as much as double what you may see on your paycheck.

[The Ghost]

It's awesome to see conservatives rallying to a cause, even if that cause is reducing the wage of the American worker....

[googoodan]

Jan 3, 2009 20:08:05 GMT -8 The Ghost said:

It's awesome to see conservatives rallying to a cause, even if that cause is reducing the wage of the American worker....

It's always better to earn a little less than nothing at all.