Coke Job Security - On Strike for the Real Thing

Coca-Cola workers in Saskatoon are on strike over job security. The company wants to remove a clause in their contract so the company can contract out deliveries to a third party. Coca Cola has been removing this clause from contracts across Canada.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• coke
• cola
• coca cola
• pepsi
• strike
• job security
• contracting out
• labour
• union
• RWDSU
• jobs
• picket
• Saskatoon
• Saskatchewan
• Canada
• solidarity

[studentofsmith]

@smokeylotus Binding arbitration is harmful, no question. But then most labor laws are.

Take the 40 hour work week. Let's say a union wanted to allow its members to work an extra hour every day at regular wages in exchange for a better health care plan. The employer thinks this is fair, the union is happy and the workers are eager for a little extra income and health care to boot. But wait! That would violate the states labor law. Guess it's back to the bargaining table...

See what I mean?

[smokeylotus]

@studentofsmith I had made a post about my opinion of unions and you responded. I actually think labour laws can be harmful when they hold back workers from gaining control of their work. Take binding arbitration, it is totally undemocratic for the government to step into the middle of a labour dispute when workers had voted to strike. Workers can gain better wages when they have control over their jobs, not through bosses or labour laws. But, labour laws do exist because of labour struggle.

[studentofsmith]

@smokeylotus I thought we were arguing whether labor laws actually help workers or, despite their good intentions, harm them. That was one of the justifications for unions you were offering to which I objected.

If you are not already familiar with it consider researching the law of unintended consequences and how it relates to minimum wage. There's been no shortage of research demonstrating the harmful effects of this legislation on workers. It may give you a new way of looking at this issue.

[smokeylotus]

@studentofsmith You are right that employers will pay no more than they have to. That is exactly why workers have to organize to gain more control of a job. But I think it is pretty obvious you care more about those who own businesses than those who work at them. I think we have different values and so we are arguing different points.

[studentofsmith]

@smokeylotus You know how to tell if a job is underpaid? If no one applies for it. Employers will offer just enough in pay and perks to get the workers they need and not a penny more. If the state mandates certain minimums in one area employers can reduce in other areas and still get the people they need. Most labor laws limit the freedom of employers to design a compensation package that maximizes worker benefits while minimizing employer costs.

[smokeylotus]

@studentofsmith And Coke is a multi-billion dollar company, they can afford to pay great rates with benefits so don't give me that crap.

[smokeylotus]

@studentofsmith If an employer can't afford 40 hours at a good wage with benefits they should get out of business and let the workers run it themselves.

[studentofsmith]

@smokeylotus " Without unions we wouldn't have the eight hour day, the weekend, healthcare benefits, tonnes of other things."

You say that like it's a good thing. Do you know how many people take a second job to make ends meet because their employer can't afford to give them more than 40 hours a week? Or how employers compensate for costly benefits and improved working conditions by paying lower wages?

Most labor laws hurt employers and employees and I agree we have unions to thank.

[JoDaddyy]

Union is just another word for mayfia.

[captaincabs]

they have outsourced Coca-Cola plants in ireland to another company i lost my job