Rallying
Rallying
- Published on April 30th, 2008
- Published on July 10th, 2009
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Staff ~ The Moose Jaw Times Herald
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- DP
- - September 18th, 2009 at 18:04:03
Hey Zeke,
In addition to Rosie's comments, Union workplaces do not protect the lazy and weak. What they do is expose poor management. Joe manager can't fire someone without due diligence so they do nothing . And I see it every day! -
- Bugsy 2008
- - September 18th, 2009 at 18:01:26
For most of us, its hard to figure out exactly what purpose unions serve in today's world. I mean, after all, it's not like we are making people work 80 hours a week or 16 hour shifts. And we do have some pretty strong legislation that is designed to protect people from working in dangerous conditions. So, what do we need unions for?
Ask the tens of thousands of people in Saskatchewan who work for minimum or slightly over minimum wage. Ask the workers who are given just the amount of hours that prevents them from receiving any benefits. Last time I checked, the Superstores and WalMarts of the world were making pretty good money.
The problem is one of assumed worth. In the so called free market the assumed worth of a worker is negligible. It is assumed that they are a dime a dozen and there is no need to do anything special to keep them. They are paid the absolute minimum.
In the unionized world, the view of the worker by the owners is the same. The difference is that there is now a collective that, in relative terms, speaks with one voice. So instead of a single person negotiating with the owners to improve his or her lot, there are now hundreds or thousands. One person leaving a conglomerate has no impact. The entire workforce leaving has a much greater impact.
Like the urban myth about seat belts (it seems everyone knows someone who died BECAUSE they were wearing a seatbelt), everyone has an example of how unions drove this or that business out of town. The reality is that most unions do not operate in a manner to cause harm to the business, simply because that would not make sense.
Then there are the SUNs of the world that, while they are representing a profession that most of us think arent paid enough, the union itself is viewed as somewhat despicable. Just like you cant hate Moose Jaw because of the current city council, you cant hate the unionized nurses simply because the union management are such Neanderthals.
Then there is the Alberta Dream. No one can argue that the workers in Alberta are not heavily unionized and get paid a lot more than those doing similar work in Saskatchewan. First shade of this would suggest that unions are not needed for fair pay, that all you need is a strong, free enterprise structure. Well, we all know now that the Alberta dream is just that a dream. Again, the average working person is paid that absolute minimum that the owners can get away with. Because almost every basic need in Alberta is so much more expensive, the workers are paid more. Disposable income is the same or less than it is here.
The reality is that, other than the odd exception, if you are not working for a company that is unionized, you are unprotected and underpaid. Sure, there are some unions out there that clearly operate in some other universe. But, on the whole, they are grounded in the philosophy that the company is the worker, and protecting the worker is protecting the company. -
- BK
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:52:08
Its unfortunate essential services can be shut down by striking up the membership,
maybe instead of ranting in front of MLA members offices you should all run around the block and get fit, cause work not doing it. -
- rod nixon
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:33:32
if your an essential service such as road clearing in winter or buses, ambulances etc,and your legislated to work by the new government then i feel that if you have a beef then take it up with who you voted for.your suppose to care about the safety and well being of people before the thought of having enough money to buy suv,s or a 600 dollar barbecue its all about the money and dont try and tell me any different,your greedy people too use to making too much money,try working for 10 dollars an hour 12 hours a day in 125 degree temperatures then you may have a reason to whine.changes are coming and pretty soon you,ll be unemployed as this province is weeding out you dead beats.
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- zeke
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:22:14
Ok all you unioners........here's what I think.
You shouldn't be able to strike EVERY TIME the contract comes up for renewal. Maybe then, you would actually call for a strike vote when it REALLY MATTERS. (i.e. SUN)
When was the last time SUN didn't call for a strike vote? In the 50s? I honestly can't remember a time.
Unions in this province have too much control and I work for one! I wouldn't if I didn't have to as a condition of employment. For all the money they take from me each and every month. I see NO benefit.
Unions protect the lazy and weak and I see it every day at work. -
- connie
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:26:30
I don't know if the Unions are to blame or who is to blame but something is TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY WRONG with the delivery of services; e.g., services especially for children/youth with autism spectrum disorders.
Early educational and mental health intervention is essential for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, yet children are waiting and waiting for the few inadequate services that are available.
When interventions are delayed long enough the child then becomes too old (i.e., 21 yrs. old) to receive the few services that are available.
Why are these children falling throw the cracks? Who is accountable?
........................... -
- Rosie Riveter
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:24:21
From the late 70's to the early 90's, I worked in a J.O.B (Just Over Broke). Long hours, no benefits, poor conditions, low pay. Some of my co-workers had worked there for over 20 yrs barely making more then minimum wage. No Union obviously. If you didn't like it...you quit. There was very little income to spend in the community, it was survival with no extras. It wasn't feasible to work and pay a sitter so I became a 'stay at home' unpaid Mom. Thankful that my spouse had a UNION job with better pay, benefits and normal hours of work.
After raising my family I returned to work in a UNION shop. The pay was better, benefits, normal hours and I more money to spend in the community. I liked my job back in the 80's, but couldn't afford to stay and I wanted a 'better' life for my family. We needed a union back then!
Hint to employers- If you want to keep unions out...treat your employees like they already have one!
People need to educate themselves about Unions...why they are here, why they need to stay and what do they do for YOU.
Zeke- if you think you are getting nothing from your union dues...do you really think your employer is paying you what you are getting and giving you the benefits you have because they like you? Think again Zeke, YOUR union negotiated that for YOU!
As for the 'province weeding out the deadbeats'-time is now-(see above)- Ask your employer for a wage increase, benefits, and a copy of the OH&S Regulations-start there then ask to take some upgrading along the way! Good luck with that.
BK from AB- Are you living here in SK or just jogging back and forth from AB to SK?
Legislation without consultation is wrong!
Kill Bills 5 & 6! -
- zeke
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:54:55
Rosie.....I work hard EVERYDAY. I also work with people who don't show up for work, do a half-*** job while at work and get paid the exact same as me. That's a union for you!!!!
And I know of many employers who do treat their employees well and better than any union could for a few extra $1,000,000+++
DP... you are right about one thing. Management can't fire the lazy and weak employee because the union wants the worker to go thru programs to rehabilitate. Even if they are unrelated to the offence. At my place of work you literally can't get fired!!! How sad is that. And you should see the people that are drawn to work there. I'll tell you it doesn't make for good morale thats for sure. We can't even get the most minimum job reviews because the union is protecting the incompetent. That's what unions do best!!! -
- R.M
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:46:38
Everytime a right wing government comes to power in Saskatchewan,
( thankfully not very often) the right 'wing nuts' come out. Calling decent hard working Saskatchewan people deadbeats, whiners, out of shape, greedy and malcontents. The last time I checked, working class, is not a couple of dirty words , nor is union member or in that case employer or owner! This province is booming, and my house has tripled in value in 2 years. How are young people supposed to even buy a home if they can't make a decent wage? I suspect that the above noted scribblers also complain when young people leave the province for greener ($) pastures!
How about sticking to the issue about workers and their definite loss of their workers rights orchestrated by Brad Wall and all?
Unions have the right to be upset, and judging by the 'right wing nut' bravado, tolerance is not going to be advanced in Sask. for the next 3 and a half years.
