Obama and the Labor Unions

[hrvestuff]

“We’re ready to play offense for organized labor. It’s time we had a president who didn’t choke saying the word ‘union.’ A president who strengthens our unions by letting them do what they do best: organize our workers. . . . I will make it the law of the land when I’m president of the United States. . . . â€

[smittyfish]

I guess you didn't see just how lackluster wall street was today when it was down over 800 points. I guess you haven't seen the unemployment data recently. I'm guessing that you don't think the economy is static. Oh yeah, the fundementals of our economy are strong, your candidate just recently said that. You will soon see the higher cost of living as the inflation rate keeps climbing.

Good Call, as usual.

[Ringer]

Company stocks are free falling so how can unions make a bunch of demands when retail sales are in the crapper? Dumbest thing I have ever heard. Just going to push more into bankruptcy and drive away more jobs. If unions were really for the American worker they would be pounding politicians to get control over immigration. Kind of quiet on that one.

[Fishin' Dave]

Up your's buddp.

Proud IBEW Local 595 member right here.

Not an Obama supporter

Not A McSame supporter.

Watch what you say about unions.

[Brian Linehan]

I think the intention of the unions are good, but things have changed in a big way. It's hard to swallow paying a union employee $20 an hour to make your widgets when you can have them made in China at .20 per hour.

Also, when I was paying my way through college I was a member of the Teamsters union. The thing I remember most was that management couldn't fire the dead weight because of the union. The union protected the sub-par employees, the employees knew it and subsequently took advantage of it.

Like I said before, I think the unions were strong back in the day and are good for some. I just think that things have changed.

[Ringer]

Dave-I grew up in the 50s and 60s when the autoworkers and steelworkers had such strong unions. You know any auto workers or steel workers anymore? Those unions made a lot of money off their members and the industries are gone. There are hundreds of thousands of $20 an hour jobs taken by illegal aliens but you never hear a peep. How can a union rep look members in the eye and say they have done one positive thing to keep jobs in this country?

[Dan McKenzie]

Here's a prediction that I believe will come to pass. It's called "Made in America, again" and thats exactly why we see unions organizing their people today. As countries like China and India have expanded and manufacturing has moved off shore, they have also had rampant inflation and increasing costs. In China because of shortages for managment, employees are realizing 15-30% increases in salaries yearly, not to mention cost of shipping, tarrifs and taxes. There is now a lot of pressure on the cost of goods, and it will again be attractive to make products at home once again. Made in America, again.

Love them or hate them, American workers owe a huge debt of gratitude towards organized labor, most of the benefits we have today as workers came about due to unioins, vacation, sick pay, raises, working conditions, 8 hr shifts. All of these were brought about not out of the kindness of companies, but from the blood and sweat of labor unions.

[Ringer]

I agree that unions were important but that was in the early part of the 20th century. Organizing workers will not bring manufacturing back here. I agree that the cycle of China and India with cheap labor will eventually end and that might bring manufacturing back. Our government is the most critical component to forcing a return of American manufacturing but both sides seem to support globalization which is another word for screwing Americans and lowering our standard of living.