The Almighty Unions

[Coito ergo sum]

I'm torn on unions given that I work with them but grew up in a union household... I think they came into existence for good reason and have done some good but I've never worked in a unionised environment that wasn't bitterly divisive and full of absolutely ridiculous situations thanks to the tortured interpretation of contracts and bizarre awards of governing bodies who are anti-employer. I've grown to loathe unions and in particular union reps. They're simply havens for slackers and whingers, in my day-to-day experience.

That's been basically my experience. I certainly don't begrudge anyone the right to join a union, but I never saw a reason to join one.

[Coito ergo sum]

[Coito ergo sum]

[sandinista]

A CEO, a union worker and a Tea Partier (a member of the emerging right-wing political movement) are at a table with 12 cookies. The CEO takes 11 and says to the Tea Partier: "Keep an eye on that union guy, he wants your cookie."

thought this joke was appropriate...again.

[Coito ergo sum]

[Santa_Claus]

I will listen to any Union basher very carefully.

Once they have given there weekends back.

We are legally entitled to weekends off? News to me.

Not as far as I know - but most either get the weekends off. or are compensated for working (extra cash or time off in lieu).......and that "norm" didn't get given by simply praying to the baby Jesus. and it won't stay that way either without Unions holding the line......trust me, I am an evil capitalist and if I could make money from making someone work for a dollar a day 24/7, I would (honestly)........but I am actually happier to instead live in a society that does not allow me (and others) to do that......but if the rules (legal and unwritten) change then I know which side I will try to be on. and it won't be the dollar a day side.

and if it helps, I do usually "work" at the weekends - for no pay cheque. It either pays off in the medium to long term, or it don't. One of my current schemes is to build a Pyramid on the Moon (honestly)......at a profit

[Coito ergo sum]

A CEO, a union worker and a Tea Partier (a member of the emerging right-wing political movement) are at a table with 12 cookies. The CEO takes 11 and says to the Tea Partier: "Keep an eye on that union guy, he wants your cookie."

thought this joke was appropriate...again.

What does UAW stand for?

Trigger Warning!!!1! :

U Ain't Workin'

[.Morticia.]

Why do you hate people?

[Coito ergo sum]

Unionized Brothel

A dedicated union worker was attending a convention in Las Vegas
and, as you would expect, decided to check out the local brothels.
When he got to the first one, he asked the Madame, "Is this a union
house?"

"No," she replied, "I'm sorry it isn't."

"Well, if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"

"The house gets $80, and the girls get $20." Mightily offended at
such unfair dealings, the man stomped off in search of a more
equitable, hopefully unionized shop.

His search continued until finally he reached a brothel where the
Madame responded, "Why yes sir, this is a union house."

The man asked, "And if I pay you $100, what cut do the girls get?"
The Madame replied' " the girls get $80, and the house gets $20."

"That's more like it!" the union man said. He looked around the room
and pointed to a stunning attractive blonde. "I'd like her for the
night."

"I'm sure you would sir," said the Madame, then, gesturing to an
obese seventy-five year old woman in the corner, "but Ethel here has
seniority."

[Coito ergo sum]

Why do you hate people?

I don't. Why do you ask?

[sandinista]

[sandinista]

[Coito ergo sum]

Here here!

I say we end all corporate subsidies immediately. Since the subsidies are government's backhanded way of controlling the subsidized industries, I doubt it'll stop soon, though.

[sandinista]

[Coito ergo sum]

I will listen to any Union basher very carefully.

Once they have given there weekends back.

We are legally entitled to weekends off? News to me.

Not as far as I know

So, then there is nothing to give back.

- but most either get the weekends off. or are compensated for working (extra cash or time off in lieu).......and that "norm" didn't get given by simply praying to the baby Jesus. and it won't stay that way either without Unions holding the line......

It got there over a long, long fight, starting in the 18th century, and it was certainly not exclusively the province of labor unions. In the US the 40 hour work week was enacted by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, and that Act does not apply to unions at all. Unions are covered by their collective bargaining agreements.

trust me, I am an evil capitalist

I don't feel that capitalism is evil. Some capitalists are evil, as are some communists.

and if I could make money from making someone work for a dollar a day 24/7, I would (honestly)........but I am actually happier to instead live in a society that does not allow me (and others) to do that......but if the rules (legal and unwritten) change then I know which side I will try to be on. and it won't be the dollar a day side.

Minimum wage and overtime laws suffice to keep wages above the dollar a day and overtime to a minimum.

and if it helps, I do usually "work" at the weekends - for no pay cheque. It either pays off in the medium to long term, or it don't. One of my current schemes is to build a Pyramid on the Moon (honestly)......at a profit

Wonderful. The last time I earned overtime pay was approximately 1989.