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Ped · 12-20-2024, 07:10 AM

Look, there's no denying that there are bad unions, in that they don't do much for their workers, or make a lot of false promises. I've been involved with unions on both sides of the table, and there are absolutely unions that take advantage of workers, particularly workers who don't have or are interested in knowing how things in their workplace actually work.

Or it may be accurate to say, there are bad locals. I've been involved with more than one local from one particular large union, and in the first place, they were great for the workers, and in the second place, they were terrible for the workers, where after being unionized for around 15 years now, their wages are no better than their non-union equivalent, and in many cases are worse.

But even there, they do have better benefits then their non-union equivalent, so they may be better off when you look at the cost of everything.

But far too many people forget that even in a non-union workplace, you get that pay and those benefits largely because a union fought for them somewhere, and your company probably offers the same things to be competitive.

I disagree ideologically with many union activities, but you can't credibly deny all they have done for workers, especially when it comes to health and safety and protecting the workers from reprisals. Sure, you will argue the ministry of labour gives non-union workers the right to refuse unsafe work, but where do you think that comes from? And who is more likely to raise an issue like that? A union employee with more job protection, or a non-union who doesn't want to raise a fuss?

Unions aren't perfect. They or their leadership or their local can be corrupt or lazy or incompetent, just like everyone else they work with. I would prefer not to be part of one, but it would be extremely short-sighted to say they do no good. And if you abolished all unions, you would see a great deal of employers taking advantage of their workers even more. People and companies get away with whatever they can, whether it comes to worker rights or environmental protection or product quality, etc.

12-20-2024, 07:10 AM	#16079
Ped Franchise Player Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Ontario Exp:	Look, there's no denying that there are bad unions, in that they don't do much for their workers, or make a lot of false promises. I've been involved with unions on both sides of the table, and there are absolutely unions that take advantage of workers, particularly workers who don't have or are interested in knowing how things in their workplace actually work. Or it may be accurate to say, there are bad locals. I've been involved with more than one local from one particular large union, and in the first place, they were great for the workers, and in the second place, they were terrible for the workers, where after being unionized for around 15 years now, their wages are no better than their non-union equivalent, and in many cases are worse. But even there, they do have better benefits then their non-union equivalent, so they may be better off when you look at the cost of everything. But far too many people forget that even in a non-union workplace, you get that pay and those benefits largely because a union fought for them somewhere, and your company probably offers the same things to be competitive. I disagree ideologically with many union activities, but you can't credibly deny all they have done for workers, especially when it comes to health and safety and protecting the workers from reprisals. Sure, you will argue the ministry of labour gives non-union workers the right to refuse unsafe work, but where do you think that comes from? And who is more likely to raise an issue like that? A union employee with more job protection, or a non-union who doesn't want to raise a fuss? Unions aren't perfect. They or their leadership or their local can be corrupt or lazy or incompetent, just like everyone else they work with. I would prefer not to be part of one, but it would be extremely short-sighted to say they do no good. And if you abolished all unions, you would see a great deal of employers taking advantage of their workers even more. People and companies get away with whatever they can, whether it comes to worker rights or environmental protection or product quality, etc.