Fox has the interview up now. (3 parts)
http://www.foxbusiness.com/story/markets/uaws-gettelfinger-labor-singled/
I am unaware of any union that exists because the labor laws required it to. Can you point me in the direction of one? I would be interested to read about how that works.My point is that if a company was playing by the same rules as their competitors, they wouldn’t have a unionized labor force. Happy workers do not upset the apple cart. Unions work to protect the best interests of the workers, whether it is health, safety, pay, benefits, etc. Obviously they have to consider the affect of their demands on the long term viability of the company, or all of their workers will be out of jobs.
To metro’s point, unions ARE needed now because corporations are not as responsible as they should be. Look at Smithfield Farms’ processing plant in NC that just unionized. The workers there have been complaining about poor working conditions for over a decade, and what have the labor laws done for them? If a company is not punished by the regulatory agencies for their faults, why would a company spend any money to upgrade/improve the working conditions? This is an example of when a union will step in and force the company to improve because the state/federal government sure isn’t doing anything about it.
I’m not a law dog, but it is my understanding that labor laws were introduced during the industrial revolution, that changed the face of factory work in the US. As a result of the new labor laws, unions were formed. Some of the early laws/acts were National Industrial Recovery Act and the Wagner Act. You mention in your post about “punished by the regulatory agencies”.
I see what you’re saying about happy workers. But do you really think that the workers in China, Korea and Mexico are at the factories because they are happy to be there or because they have to make money.
You mention in your post about "punished by the regulatory agencies".I see what you’re saying about happy workers. But do you really think that the workers in China, Korea and Mexico are at the factories because they are happy to be there or because they have to make money.
I believe that companies who violate labors laws should be punished by the regulatory agencies, including OSHA. However, the Labor Commissioner in NC is a self-proclaimed “friend of the business community.” This is the person who is charged with protecting workers and workers’ rights in the state.
I used “happy” in a more general sense of the word. I don’t know anyone who is happy to go to work. By happy, I meant generally pleased with their working conditions, compensation, etc.
In China, unions are outlawed because most of the factories are government-owned. Why would they want workers to rise up against the government? And, in a communist-indoctrinated workforce, the workers would never rise up against the government because everything they do is “for the good of the country.”
[QUOTE=Noreaster;371851] I don’t know anyone who is happy to go to work. By happy, I meant generally pleased with their working conditions, compensation, etc.
[/QUOTE]
I know you don’t actually “know” me, but I can say that I look forward to work, genuinely love it and know that the majority of people that I do work with are happy as well. I think it is broad to think that everyone is looking forward to the weekends and no one looks forward to working.
I enjoy my weekends as much as the next but come monday I am just as happy.
To metro's point, unions ARE needed now because corporations are not as responsible as they should be. Look at Smithfield Farms' processing plant in NC that just unionized. The workers there have been complaining about poor working conditions for over a decade, and what have the labor laws done for them? If a company is not punished by the regulatory agencies for their faults, why would a company spend any money to upgrade/improve the working conditions? This is an example of when a union will step in and force the company to improve because the state/federal government sure isn't doing anything about it.
quit your job if your hands hurt…any job that requires you to gut chickens is gonna be dangerous, the market works in labor. I didn’t like my last company f’n with my pay nor giving me enough hotel allowance, so I found another company.
I think the Observer’s attack on the poultry industry was pathetic
I believe that companies who violate labors laws should be punished by the regulatory agencies, including OSHA. However, the Labor Commissioner in NC is a self-proclaimed "friend of the business community." This is the person who is charged with protecting workers and workers' rights in the state.I used “happy” in a more general sense of the word. I don’t know anyone who is happy to go to work. By happy, I meant generally pleased with their working conditions, compensation, etc.
Right. And pretty much every person I know thinks they should get more compensation. I work in finance. Is the Labor Commissioner going to help me negotiate my next raise and guarantee my pension is going to be there in 30 years?
In China, unions are outlawed because most of the factories are government-owned. Why would they want workers to rise up against the government? And, in a communist-indoctrinated workforce, the workers would never rise up against the government because everything they do is "for the good of the country."
I understand working in communist China vs the US. That’s not the point I’m making. The point is whether it’s communist or not, they can produce goods at a much lower cost, and they have leverage because the workers don’t have the assistance of a union to mandate certain pay levels.
clt says in communist Russia, cars build you.
[QUOTE=Normmm;371878]I understand working in communist China vs the US. That’s not the point I’m making. The point is whether it’s communist or not, they can produce goods at a much lower cost, and they have leverage because the workers don’t have the assistance of a union to mandate certain pay levels.[/QUOTE]
I’m struggling to understand you point. Are you saying that efficiency is the justification for anything?
All of this bailout stuff just proves that, as a rule, employees, management, investors, - every one of them are ultimately self serving. Trying to blame any one group for the ills of all is pot kettle black.
I'm struggling to understand you point. Are you saying that efficiency is the justification for anything?All of this bailout stuff just proves that, as a rule, employees, management, investors, - every one of them are ultimately self serving. Trying to blame any one group for the ills of all is pot kettle black.
A couple of things. I agree everybody has played a role. However, I think the hindrance of the unions has either been the biggest or second biggest issue. Perhaps the biggest issue is just the perception of American made vehicles. You can tell people that their Honda was made in the US, while perhaps the domestic vehicle was made in Canada. But people’s perception is still that the Japanese technology is different. You can tell them that Toyota was trying to be GM, but people think that Toyota is superior. You can mention that that CEO of Chrysler is from Toyota, but people still believe that Toyota has a different form of management. You can tell them that a Chevy Malibu won the Motor Trend car of the year, but they still think an Altima is a better car. Changing peoples perceptions is going to be the hardest overcome.
The example of China, Mexico and Korea was just addressing the comment about if workers were happy then you wouldn’t need unions. I was stating in theory, in the US, yes. But when a competitor is building cars in a non union area, it’s a disadvantage.
CSPAN coverage of Santa asking Congress for a bailout…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxBl9BXLom4
take a look at this Christmas list from kids in Mexico...futbol, futbol, futbol, clean drinking water, for the tiajuna drug cartel to return my brother.
:lmao: