Thoughts on Unions

Over the last year or so, I have heard so much badmouthing of unions. For starters, how does a college-educated man like myself end in being in three of them? Well, I was in school while in the first two Unions. My first union was a local AFL-CIO union (while in high school), working for a now defunct hardware store. For the record, I believe Home Depot is a Union Shop and Lowes is not so those with knowledge on this matter, please be ready to share. I was a member Teamster Local 705 while working for UPS (as a loader). Finally there is the Communication Workers of America, my third union. Unions began as a means to create safe working conditions and fair pay. Now, I think some have gone far from this vision.

What do I think, as a conservative, about unions? In a way, there is a need for unions. For every union like the NEA, SEIU, and UAW, there are others so many forget about. So for the record, you would assume to wipe out ALL unions- public and private sector. Personally, I think that's not a good idea at all. So many people use the unions I previously mentioned by name and their abuses. For the record, I agree. How can someone be paid $50-70/hour in a business where its business model can't sustain such wages (e.g., auto industry, teachers & tax dollars, etc)? I'm not saying cut wages at all. Pay the overtime if the company approves it. The problem is can the companies afford to pay that overtime? The NEA (teachers union) had good intentions. They wanted a good wage (which in many places wasn't and still isn't the case) but became a political and social arm for groups all while teachers leave the profession because of compensation (at least the ones I knew). In some cases, the compensation may be even less. When a teacher works a full day teaching students and then needs to go work at a hardware store to make extra money, am I the only one who thinks something is wrong? This was many years ago when I was in school. Not many are taking on extra jobs anymore, are they? The unions I have first hand knowledge about offers between 2.0% to 3% annual raise (all private sector; considering that's based off an averaging $21,000/year and the raise was just over $600 raise). Teacher unions BALK at that percentage but at least other unions contribute to a revenue stream. THAT'S where I have an issue with unions. Of the average teacher union strikes or possible threats of one, the LOWEST numbers I've seen of approving a deal recently is 5.5% (I've seen as high as 7%). OK. On paper, not bad right? The problem is that schools get revenue from where? Taxes- property, sales and other taxes to foot the bill. What happens? After a while, people and businesses will get sick of it and they will leave. Care to bet on that?

So fine. You dislike unions. So were get rid of the IAFF (International Association of Fire Fighters) and the International Union of Police Associations. Let’s face it. They have it hard enough as it is. Let’s cut their wages down so no one will want to do those jobs. Sure- let them risk their lives day in and day out but pay them a bag of shells. Each group advocates having the resources to do their jobs properly and in the case of fire fighters, often not having the resources they need. By the way, the International Union of Police Associations has been under an AFL-CIO charter since 1979. Sadly, unions may turn a blind eye when the select few Police Officers go the wrong way. While we're at it, let’s dump some trade unions as well. Lets end the IBC (carpenters), IBEW (electricians), United Association of Union of Plumbers (which over plumbers, and HVAC workers) and the Iron Workers. Forget about the fact that these groups, while paying dues, are how their people get trained. Each apprenticeship averages between 3-5 years before they work alone. GREAT detail is given during the training phase so should they (the trade unions) not do the training, who else is going to do it? Better yet, who will do it properly? OK. Let a JUCO do the training. Chances are it will still be a union tradeworker doing the training. If a union tradesman gets work, they get paid for the work the builder/project manager approved. Bad project manager + bad project execution = no work for trade workers/no one make money.

While I'm at it, I'll even share a story or two. One story comes from a lineman (who laid wire for a telecommunication company). The lineman had to go out lay some line on a site. Upon arrival, the lineman noticed something wrong and decided not to do the job. Remember the famous words spoken to Indiana Jones that went, the "Indy. why does the floor move" scene. He noticed there were SEVERAL water moccasins where he had to lay wire. Yet the company in question tried to fire this person. While they're not poisonous, their demeanor isn't exactly friendly. How about another person, who throws out their back on the job and needs to be out for a period of time. Yet the company in question tried to fire him even though all paarties involved knew the person did nothing incorrectly. Even another person, who was given the impression that her leave of absence was approved but wasn't (several people in the HR department knew that much). Yet, this person was fired. Not to mention that adding the cost of training to builders to train carpenters, welders, electricians and so on would mean more cost for the home builders. No one wins, do they? Didn't think so.

One name does come to mind. Vic Morrow, the late actor who starred in movie and TV. He was killed accidentally along with two children during the making of "Twilight Zone: The Movie" in 1983. It was these deaths that SAG (the Screen Actors Guild) began to take set safety more seriously. In the 1980's, 37 people were killed in on-set accidents (1).

Professional sports don't fit in this conversation. They are self-governing (salary cap, revenue shaing, etc) and(for the most part) profitable. I am not for the blatant abuse by unions such as the UAW and SEIU and even its members aren't the ones doing the damage. It's the leadership. What a shame it is when members hear their leaders say lets mobilize, too many of them have no idea what they're getting into. In fact, too many members don't even read their contracts and union by-laws. They're stuck between apathetic union leadership and an indifferent employer. Great place to be right? Unions were formed to assure workers a fair wage and decent working conditions. Somewhere along the way, many unions lost their way. The sought the approval of power and not the will of the people they are supposed to serve. So if you do take an anti-union stance, at least consider the examples I have shared here. This is how I see things. When unions serve its members as they are intended (such as trade unions) everyone benefits- members, company and those who they provide service to. For every union that abuses its power, there are others that do what is right.


1. "Stunt Injuries and Fatalities Increasing, Michael McCann, Ph.D., C.I.H.: 
http://www.uic.edu/sph/glakes/harts1/HARTS_library/stunts.txt