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UNIONS: Good or Bad
There seems to be some good discussions about this in another forum. I thought I would bring the discussions here. Here is my two cents:
PROS to having unions
1) able to provide job security
2) entry level pay is generally higher than in non-union entry level positions for same position
3) loyalty pays dividends, in terms of seniority
4) generally better benefits(pension, vacation, special leave, sick days, health care)
5) Union can fight on your behalf
CONS to having unions
1) In some cases(GM, Chrsyler), the cost to the company is quite prohibative to support the types of deals/(collective bargaining agreements)CBA's that are negotiated.
2) The job security can lead to employees that have a sense of entitlement and that can lead to laziness and apathy on the job
3) Because of number two the customer ultimately suffers(whether service, construction or whatever)
4) Pay is generally capped at a certain amount no matter how long you have been there or what kind of performance is being demonstrated
5) pay isnt linked to performance or qualifications
My conclusion
It seems there are a lot of pros to unionization and I didn't think I could have listed 5. Odds are, there are probably more. This is the reason I think that there is a place for unions.
BUT
and this is a big but....
It also seems that there needs to be better protection for companies at the provincial or federal level so companies dont get screwed by apathetic employees or by simply getting taken advantage of. This has already happened in BC to some degree on the last 8 years with the Cambell liberals and good on them. When your customers suffer, there is no excuse and companies need to be protected properly so their customers can be better taken care of.
I would also like to see more competition within a union environment. I want to see seniority play a lesser role in the determination of where resources(employees) go or dont go(promotions, job offerings). Seniority can still paly a role, it does in a free market world, but not become the determining factor as it is in a lot of cases.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
PROS to having unions
1) able to provide job security
2) entry level pay is generally higher than in non-union entry level positions for same position
3) loyalty pays dividends, in terms of seniority
4) generally better benefits(pension, vacation, special leave, sick days, health care)
5) Union can fight on your behalf
CONS to having unions
1) In some cases(GM, Chrsyler), the cost to the company is quite prohibative to support the types of deals/(collective bargaining agreements)CBA's that are negotiated.
2) The job security can lead to employees that have a sense of entitlement and that can lead to laziness and apathy on the job
3) Because of number two the customer ultimately suffers(whether service, construction or whatever)
4) Pay is generally capped at a certain amount no matter how long you have been there or what kind of performance is being demonstrated
5) pay isnt linked to performance or qualifications
My conclusion
It seems there are a lot of pros to unionization and I didn't think I could have listed 5. Odds are, there are probably more. This is the reason I think that there is a place for unions.
BUT
and this is a big but....
It also seems that there needs to be better protection for companies at the provincial or federal level so companies dont get screwed by apathetic employees or by simply getting taken advantage of. This has already happened in BC to some degree on the last 8 years with the Cambell liberals and good on them. When your customers suffer, there is no excuse and companies need to be protected properly so their customers can be better taken care of.
I would also like to see more competition within a union environment. I want to see seniority play a lesser role in the determination of where resources(employees) go or dont go(promotions, job offerings). Seniority can still paly a role, it does in a free market world, but not become the determining factor as it is in a lot of cases.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
Comments
Your thoughts on unions are precisely the reason I won't vote for NPD, well, that and bad economic management.
Seriously, what unions do is equalize the distribution of power in society between those who control access to the means of making a living (employers) and those who need to make a living (employees).
Understandably, some people feel threatened by this and choose to side with employers. That's their right, but I would make the case that in general the distribution of economic power in society has a great deal of impact on how well the majority of us denizens in society get along or don't get along.
Unions getting a supposedly equal share to influence policy in government was more relevant during the days of the NPD and less so now, but I am sure there is still significant influence.