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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, September 02, 2019

In Case You Think Unions Are Unnecessary



"If we must grind up human flesh and bone in the industrial machine that we call modern America, then before God, I assert that those who consume the coal, and you and I who benefit from that service because we live in comfort, we owe protection to those men first, and we owe the security for their family if they die. I say it, I voice it, I proclaim it, and I care not who in heaven or hell opposes it!" - John L. Lewis (1947)

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

History shows that John L. Lewis was a communist, he supported the workers international. That was an arm of the worldwide communist network.

Anonymous said...

UNIONS gave this country the big middle class business did not do it until they were forced to-- the government did not help either they still are not for the middle class look at O'BAMS CARE AND THE LAST TAX CUTS.UNION WAS THE KEY

Anonymous said...

The big union bosses are as bad as the corporate kings. The union leaders drive the big cars, have the big houses. Poor workers are getting scammed by both their Bosses and the union rep's that just line their own pockets.

Anonymous said...

To 1:21 AM.

You have no idea what you are talking about. John L. Lewis was a life-long Republican. He supported both Coolidge and Hoover. He even prevented Communists from Union officer positions. Stop talking shit, if you don't know your ass from a hole in the ground.

Anonymous said...

Unions are neither good nor bad. They are an economic factor, like taxes, regulation, weather, etc. I'm glad I live where unions exist, but those who extoll or excoriate unions are naive. Just like everything in a free country, they're there, and they're special, just like everything else.

The Huntress said...

Good unions help workers stand against the worst abuses of companies. They try to maintain a decent wage and benefits for their members. They helped to grow the middle class and their shrinking numbers correlate with the decline of that same class. Those who bash unions are not rooting for workers they're giving a pass to exploiters. Unions aren't perfect because like any organization they're led by people, some corruptible, but as history as shown us, they are one of our best chances at a fair workplace.

Anonymous said...

Hoof Hearted?

Anonymous said...

everyone is corrupt

Anonymous said...

Let's see, 40 hour work week, overtime after 40 hours, vacation time with pay, 30 minute lunch, protection from being fired by alcoholic boss because he doesn't like you, regular pay increase as company profits soar... And on and on and on...

Anonymous said...

The majority of Pennsylvania workers don't realize what it means when told PA is a "Right To Work" state. The name is purposely deceiving. It should be called a Right To Fire state. Unless a worker is protected by a union contract an employer can fire an employee without any reason given, or required. Management is told not to give a reason, because giving one can result in a lawsuit against them.

A Union contract, at a minimum, requires a reason given, a tier of disciplinary actions shown, and finally, a Laudermill Hearing, that allows Union Representation or a lawyer at the hearing. Most don't appreciate unions until they have become a victim of a manager or owner who fired them, not because they didn't work diligently, but because of a personality conflict, or to create an opening for a relative or friend.

Anonymous said...

The election of Reagan started the steady decline of the middle class and unions. The "Great Communicator" convinced the masses that unions were the new "other" and that they would be better off being trickled on with Reagonomic tax cuts for the rich (sounds familiar..) which instead steadily eroded the middle class.

Anonymous said...

Bernie,

Thank you so much for reminding us what Labor Day is (or should be) about. Anyone who denies that the labor movement was responsible for the rise of the United States middle class and the "American Dream," is ignorant of the last 100 years of United States history. The beginning of the destruction of the middle class happened when Reagan fired the air traffic controllers and signaled to business that they were free to engage in union busting.

And let us be clear, unions benefit all workers. By raising the standards for pay and equity in the workplace, all workers benefit. If you lift the worker at the bottom everyone above him or her benefits. Those who claim that union leaders are communist, decades ago would have claimed that unions mean racial minorities will take over to the exclusion of white workers. Both arguments are specious. Unions are the institutionalization of democracy in the workplace. As we have seen democracy doesn't always produce the best results. But, democracy in all of its forms and institutions is the best hope for the future of the human race.

Reagan's assertion that "government is not the solution to our problems, government is the problem" shows a fundamental misunderstanding of our history. Government is the only institution which can stop the excesses of corporate power and greed. Government may have been the problem for Reagan's rich campaign contributors, but it has been the protector of many of the most vulnerable in our society. Think child labor laws, think 40 hour work week, thing occupational safety and health, think anti-discrimination laws, think environmental protection laws, think consumer protection, think anti-trust laws. The list goes on and is at the heart of the last century of progress in this country. Many of these laws were enacted because workers were organized, and their voices amplified through the labor movement.

So on this Labor Day, take a moment to thank all those who have fought and died in the cause of labor organizing and spreading democracy to the workplace. Or, in the words of Mother Jones "pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living."

Solidarity forever,
-- Joe Welsh

The Huntress said...

Perfectly stated Joe Welsh!

Anonymous said...

I haven't seen a mention of raising the quality of work done by those in union trades far exceeding scabs. Take a good look around in the inner cities were "The Flipp" and realastate bottom feeders make the rules as they go along.

I think the same shit going on just was in national news calling out Cummings represented area as a rat infested cancer effecting quality of life.

Anonymous said...

Yea.... The teachers union the strongest in the country sucks a year round salary a 186 day work calendar and cannot be beat no matter how many loose the family homestead to pay for the leaches of the system. Pay the teacher by work performance and you would see most of them on unemployment line. Christy in NJ had the right idea- half time work get half a pension.

Anonymous said...

unions are for knuckle draggers !!!

Anonymous said...

So sad to see the last few comments. Maybe you send your kids to a rich private school, but the teachers who toil in the public school system, and btw, spend, on average,$500 per year out of their own pockets on classroom supplies, are by and large dedicated professionals who are asked not only to educate our children, but deal with all of the problems which our politicians do not have the political will to appropriate the funds to resolve.

And the Moron who said "knuckle draggers" comment- I suppose you are trying in your inarticulate way to say that union members are stupid - why? Because they are carpenters, bricklayer, steelworkers, iron workers, kitchen workers, hospital workers who take care of your relatives, farm workers who harvest your food, and millions of others who, apparently unlike you, actually do things of value to our society?

If these hard working family oriented people did not do what they do every day, you would not be able to live your privileged life.

On this Labor Day, you need to reflect on the evil of your elite privileged attitude and maybe you should remember Jesus washing the feet of Mary Magdalene. Maybe time for you to do the same.

-- Joe Welsh

Anonymous said...

You should ask the union guys about the recent county council vote. They waned to strong arm the non-union employees as punishment for not being in a union. Is that wonderful behavior you are cheering.

Anonymous said...

UNIONS SUCK ALWAYS HAVE ALWAYS WILL THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO NEED THE UNIONS ARE THE LAZY ASS PEOPLE WHO DONT WANT TO DO ANYTHING BUT TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE SYSTEM...I.E. SCHOOL TEACHERS WHAT A JOKE....THE ONLY THING THEY TEACH IS LAZINESS AND RUN OUR TAXES UP....

Anonymous said...

Coal miners and steel workers needed unions to insure and point out a safe work place. government unions are no more than an elitist crowd who are pillaging the taxpayers and extorting more money and benefits from those who have to pay their wages through taxes. They are willing to vote for any corrupt pol who will promise them more at the expense of the rest of society.

Anonymous said...

Reaganomics was the beginning of the current political situation we find ourselves in..tax cuts for the rich continue and wages stagnate despite a fairly healthy economy that profits only those at the top. If you study the rise of unions within our national history..you will see the need to build protections from the rich and greedy robber barrons of the industrial revolution here. Power to the people!

Anonymous said...

No child left behind for adults? I believe unions served their purpose at the birth of the labor movement. Labor laws have caught up to the movement rendering unions obsolete.
Starting salary for a Wal-Mart truck driver 80k. What type of protection will a union provide for this position? DOT regulations have created a shortage of drivers thus increasing the demand. See how that works?

Anonymous said...

Equal protection under the law..for everyone! W/O union protection..bosses can hire and fire at will.The consequences of this is chaos and instability for those trying to provide for themselves and their families. Fair play is at the heart of the matter. It is not just about pay scale.Unions mattered and still do.

Anonymous said...

Hey Joe, Jesus never washed Mary Magdalene's feet.

Anonymous said...

To Mr./Ms. Anonymous @ 3:50 PM

Inscriptions shown to me by my guide at Dendarah, Egypt on July 28 of this year suggest that you are wrong. But, since you don't have the integrity to put your name behind your criticism I can't answer you by name. If you've been to Dendarah recently and seen otherwise, please let me know.

Sincerely proud to sign my name,
-- Joe Welsh