Forced unionism bad for labor, Michigan
Terry Bowman, UnionConservatives.com
"Right to work is a full-frontal assault on you, your family, your job, your wages, and your future," so say most union officials to employees.
As a union member, I have heard this time and time again. But is it true? Does changing Michigan into a right-to-work state mean the death of unions, collective bargaining and the middle class?
Clearly, the answer is a resounding no!
Just look at existing right-to-work states to see that unions there are alive and thriving. If Michigan became a right-to-work state today, the only change would be that employees could choose whether they wanted to continue as union members, and employers would finally start looking at Michigan as a possible destination for their jobs.
Along with the change in the business tax structure, right to work is the next step needed to bring Michigan's economy back from the brink of disaster.
As a 14-year, pro-union employee, I know Michigan must become a right-to-work state to retain and grow good-paying union jobs. Why? Because it will force union officials to compete for an employee's loyalty and refocus them on doing what unions were originally created to do: represent members inside the workplace.
Competition, instead of a monopoly, always makes organizations stronger.
The actions of union bosses become accountable and answerable to the membership. The focus is once again placed on the employee, instead of on a partisan social and political agenda that seems to be the obsession of union officials.
They would instead be focused on two things: retaining and increasing membership by becoming better at their created purpose, and establishing relationships on both sides of the political aisle to become politically neutral.
The proven disastrous tradition of placing their hopes and dreams in one political party, while antagonizing and deliberately making enemies of the other, has failed miserably.
Unions would instead have to sell the benefits of their services to employees, instead of forcing financial support as a condition of employment.
President John F. Kennedy, realizing the potential for huge financial and political gains for his party, signed Executive Order No. 10988, authorizing federal employees' right to "form, join, and assist" any union.
However, he knew there was a constitutional danger in forcing compulsory dues as a condition of employment, so he added the following words in his order: "or to refrain from any such activity."
Kennedy realized that employees have an equal right not to join a union.
In Michigan it can be ours also, but only if we embrace reality, become a right-to-work state, and remind union officials that they serve us; not the other way around.
True solidarity can be achieved only if we are also given the right, in the words of Kennedy, to "refrain from any such activity."
Terry Bowman is a UAW member and president and founder of UnionConservatives.com
15 comments:
libs hate competition my friend....((hugs))
I'm in Florida, a right to work state and it boggles my mind that unions still exist... If you choose to join a union, it's your right to choose... On the other hand, why would you join a union whose leadership takes your money and without any input from you, spends it to support political parties and their agenda if you don't share the same views... So a conservative in Michigan can't get a job without compromising their political and moral beliefs.... Utterly stupid in my opinion....
I live in Virginia -- a right to work state.
Unions have some bargaining power here, but not binding arbitration. Suits me.
I don't belive that federal employees should have unions.
It's too bad about half of the country isn't interested in doing things that make sense.
People who support unions today, relative to the power they have, are weak and dependent.
Unions are effectively spoiled fruit now and of course, are hell bent on spoiling the whole bushel.
Agreed Angel but thats what they 9the libs) don't get, competition breeds excellence and money to boot.
Born,,, I am one of those conservatives in MI (UAW) so I am completely aware but uncompromising and this would be evident were you to speak to ANY of my co workers.
I would gladly work for the corporation I do now as an independent American worker as this is how I was hired there and prefer to be. Two months later the UAW was voted in (not by me mind you) and BAM, NO CHOICE I was now a victim of extortion by the UAW.
As to not being able to work in MI without being in a union is a misnomer though, there are many non-union companies but as you are aware the job market is basically dead but believe me when I say I am always on the look for other employment in this state and the other 49 (or is it 56?)
If MI were to become a 'Right to Work' state the very first thing I would do would be to remove myself from this socialist organization
I concur AOW but the gist of this op-ed as I see it and believe the author intended is about the private sector.
Federal, State, County and municipality or better stated "public unions" should be decertified IMMEDIATELY and all previous contracts negotiated without TAXPAYER input OR APPROVAL be nullified FORTHWITH !!!!
Kid,,, You and the other commenter's prove, to me at least, that there are still very wise people in this Nation and I am pleased you made your comment.
I do not know of others but can speak for myself; You would not believe what I see as weak and dependent as you describe on a daily basis! Guaranteed if it were not for the UAW present where I work over half the workforce, well over half, would be out on the street and justifiably so!
The half I speak of are taking jobs from those who not only want to work,,,BUT CAN!
Why does the government support (or not support if that were ever to be) Unions ?
Where is the justificaiton. Where are union organizations in the constitution ? The constitution is all about individual rights.
The whole thing it wrong. This is obviously a case of unions forces buying sections of government.
Where in today's world is a union needed ? With all the rights affordd individuals, unions are no longer needed. All you need are Lawyers I hate to say. On the other hand it would give the vampires something to do beside dstroy the healthcare system.
Thanks a lot Christopher. I think there are many out there. The silent majority, not quite as big a majority as it used to be but still formidible. My worry is too many think "Republicans" are worth a spit. I hear too many calling into hannity the 8 minutes a weeknight evening I happen to listen to it that think boehner is a rrghteous guy and he will 'do someghint for us'. He is the manifestation of the problem. This whole process of getting a Speaker - not by qualification but by taking their turn or however it is worked out. That John McCain was the candidate because it was his turn. WHat a bunch of nonsense.
Agreed Kid,,Boenher is from the 'Ole boy RINO' club.
I listen to as many talk radio heads as I can and have to say that Sean Hannity and Michael Medved take the cake for RINO shows after that is Bill Bennett's show.
If you want conservative radio, listen to Rush, Mark Levin, Laura Ingram and Mike Gallagher.
Kid,,As to why 'public unions'? JFK set it into motion (mentioned in the op-ed) by "executive order"
See: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704320104575015010515688120.html
As to the rest you are dead-on right. Basically unions are an automatic funding arm by use of extortion of the liberal socialist agenda.
Ban all public unions across the board (as stated above) and have all 50 states become Right to Work and then see just what happens not only to our representative government (it becomes that again) but just as important right now,, the economy,,JOBS and PRODUCTION.
Excellent article Christopher!! Right to Work is the way to go. Forced unionization is tyrannical.
Tryannical is the word Teresa and they want to make it moreso with this "card check" BS by wiping out the secret ballot.
<p><span><span> "</span>Unions have not done much, If anything to improve Michigan workers' situations. It is time to hold unions accountable for their reckless behavior, it is time to empower worker free choice".</span>
</p><p><span><span> </span></span><span>This statement alone sums up the Conservative's opinion of the labor movement, they despise everything in history that labor unions have done for workers, have done for this country, and have provided for the millions of non-union workers who have benefited from our political involvement and lobbying of fair programs for all workers. </span>
</p><p><span><span> </span>All labor organizations are governed by by-laws, a constitution, and even federal law guarantees the rights of workers who are members. Labor unions are required by law to report their finances, including all revenue and expenditures and this is reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, accessible by the internet or for the public. Can any citizen of Michigan see the finances and contributors of the secret Mackinac Center, of course not, it is privileged information. Tell us who is behind your organization and we can freely choose your motivation!</span>
</p><p><span><span> </span>Right To Work laws will not turn Michigan's economy around, period. In looking at the July 22, 2011 report of the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics), of the states with the highest unemployment rates, why is it 6 of the top ten States are Right To Work, with the state having the highest unemployment as No. 1 Nevada, another Right To Work state? <span> </span>So how did Right to Work laws help these states? Not at all. Our U.S. trade deficit is $2.8 billion dollars and as long as U.S. consumers demand more foreign made goods than goods we could or should produce in the U.S.A., Right to Work laws will never have an impact on employment. South Carolina lost jobs as textiles, furniture, and other durable consumer goods manufactured in that state were ceased from being made and manufactured in Communist China or other low wage havens.</span>
</p><p><span><span> </span>Right To Work as a solution to the economic mess created by those who blame everyone else. They do not want any economic or political system that allows debate, compromise, with a win-win outcome, they want all power and decision making in their control. How is that any different from China?</span></p>
Post a Comment