As Ford Battles Unions, We Look At What Unions Have Done With Motor City

The once proud city of Detroit looks war-torn today. Take a look at what unions have done to the American auto industry and Motown.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• what's goin' on
• nightshift
• chain of fools

[Weasler455]

Unions are the primary reason why so many jobs go overseas. It's that simple. The sooner people realize this, the better off we'll all be.

[ErgoMan1953]

It's pretty simple to me. I was a contracted physical therapist in a hospital in Ashland KY and threatened by the Union if I did not "honor" a Union strike and not cross the line. Previously this Union had provoked members of a hospital across the river to strike and vandalize cars of doctors who reported to work to treat the sick and injured. This thuggish behavior by Union members made it clear that a Union presence threatens everyone's right to work and sometimes their personal safety.

[oldiron2007]

Thanks a lot democrats........you could screw up a wet dream

[punisherrorschach27]

@Weasler455 -I disagree with your assertion that it's a myth and the subsequent OSHA name dropping. Where the stoppages occur is financing those safety regulations (of which organizations are rather unwilling to do more times than not due to overestimation of the cost). It's not nonsense, your "myth" is but a bare-faced assertion. In reference to your later quips, relocating and finding new jobs isn't so easy because people don't shit money and the current economy make open jobs hard to find.

[Weasler455]

@punisherrorschach27 But it IS. It's a myth that work stoppages occur over work place hazards. Such nonsense. Besides, you have OSHA and the government on your side on that one. Face it: Strikes are about compensation.

And once again, it goes back to the same mantra: If the conditions at your job are SO undesirable, FIND A NEW JOB. If there's no job in your area, RELOCATE TO ANOTHER AREA, like so many executives often do. See how it works?

[punisherrorschach27]

@Weasler455 - Again, that's not always the case. You can't simply disregard the complaints of some or all unions as being illegit. It's not always a case of "demanding too much" , how would you feel if your job got outsourced when the company would rather ignore your complaints about better safety standards in favor of cost cutting on two ends. Sometimes, it's less about a monetary view and more of a conversation on ethics. For me it would depend on the situation and what's being asked.

[Weasler455]

@punisherrorschach27 What I meant by "hurt feelings" was about how unions regard management. They act like management outsources just to make their lives miserable. It's nothing of a sort. It's simply a business decision, made all the more easier by the unions who wind up demanding too much. You pretty much answer your own questions when you mention "union pressure" and "cheaper labor". Just consider: If you were in management's position, what would YOU do?

[punisherrorschach27]

@Weasler455 -It's not as black and white as you want to make it out as. Adding to my recent statement, I wouldn't be so quick to discount the grievances of all unions. It's not always about greed, myopia, or corruption as you want it to be. There can be legitimate reasons for doing so like trying to get the corporation in question to address the dangers of working in a job, or needing health benefits in a time where good health is expensive. Remember, this is business, not altruism. Cuts happen.

[punisherrorschach27]

@Weasler455-I don't know how you interpreted my initial statement as having my feelings hurt over this or as being immature. I acknowledged that they can get greedy themselves (seems mature to me), but at what point to you give the big wigs a free pass? Do you refuse to acknowledge that they too get greedy and will outsource jobs at times regardless of union pressure? Do you refuse to acknowledge that when resources get more expensive they'll cut the price via using cheaper labor?

[Weasler455]

@punisherrorschach27 You people ought to try growing up for once. OF COURSE the unions don't make the decision to outsource. But the unions sure as hell give management a REASON to outsource.

You make it sound like companies send jobs overseas just to hurt your feelings. It's very expensive and risky to move operations overseas, and if the unions were just a little less greedy, short-sighted, and corrupt, they probably WOULDN'T make the decision to outsource!

Like I said - very simple.

[punisherrorschach27]

@Weasler455 No, it's not that simple. It might be perfect for the people looking for confirmation bias and who are looking to scapegoat unions for our job loss, but it's ultimately the guy sitting in the slick black chair that makes that decision because he doesn't want to fuck around with unions or wage negotiations. Unions can get greedy sometimes too, but they ultimately don't make the decision to outsource.