[JCricket]

Originally Posted by d-ray657

See JC, I told you we would agree on a lot of things. I don't really buy into the unions making people lazy part though. I fact unions can make the workplace more efficient in some ways.

One of the most important things that unions do are provide protection against arbitrary management decisions that concern the terms and conditions of employment. For example, most union contracts limit the ability to fire to circumstances where the employer has just cause for the discharge. (In case you weren't aware, the prevailing law in the non-union workplace is that an employee can be fired for no reason at all) The concept of just cause includes the practice of progressive discipline. In other words, before firing an employee, except for some types of offenses such as violence or stealing, the employer must counsel the employee and give him or her an opportunity to improve on the issue. That gives the employee to opportunity to improve productivity or attendance and see that as important to keeping the job. Many will appreciate the chance to prove themselves rather than being on the street. Turnover is expensive and unproductive for employers. When instead of firing people, they ar required to give them an opportunity to improve, they get better performance from an existing employee instead of incurring the expense of replacing that employee.

Granted there are some people who are lazy, and there are some who won't tale advantage of the opportunities. After the union has obtained more chances for an employee who has failed to take advantage of them, the union will often refuse to take the grievance. The union representatives whith whom I have worked are usually good employees, who are respected by the other employees. They are also bright enough to realize that there are some people who just won't allow themselves to be helped.

We don't need to lower union wages to help America's economy. We need to unionize the rest of the world.

Regards,

D-Ray

D-Ray for now let it suffice to say that I think we probably have many of the same fundamental beliefs. But, I think we may differ in the application and measure on society of those. It would be very interesting to sit down and have a cup of coffee with you!