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I worked for Borders Books and Music in World Trade Center building 5 in NYC when it unionized. Borders was extremely anti-union and tried everything to prevent it from happening. After the union was adopted, Borders refused to negotiate in good faith and basically did not provide anything (no pay increase, no public transportation subsidy, NOTHING). So the employees had a union, had representation to help them if they were in peril of being fired, had to pay union dues, and ended up taking home less money than they started with (and the starting pay at that store was $6.50/hr in 1997, in New York City). I got another job and left before the store employees 'de-unionized' a year later. Everyone who worked at that store when it unionized was black listed from working at any other Borders in the United States. I know not only because I saw the actual list, but I tried to get a job at Borders when I moved from NYC to Seattle 5 years later. My first (temporary ~ holiday help) job when I moved to Seattle ended up being at Barnes and Noble.
Burgerville seems pretty hell bent on preventing this, but if they can't, I hope their employees are able to negotiate better terms than we were.
Well, unions are human, too, and they can fail too. A hierachy develops, perks go to the 'top,' a little skim happens ... but that doesn't mean Unions (nor most people) are shit.
But, not to worry -- Repubs have seen to it that union membership has gone from roughly a third of the workforce to +/- 10%. Which is why Wages have been stagnant, while costs have Skyrocketed ever since Ronny Raygun's War on the Poor (and women!) hit the Fan. So, they're barely relevant, anymore in Elections (representing perhaps 10% of Corporate financing -- BUYING -- 'our' Lawmakers). And we can all thank the rightwing-driven attrition of Unions for our shit wages today.
Bravo for those poorly-paid employees.
Let's hope they and their employers can make this benefit Both sides.
Or, perhaps they just buy the Burger joint outright?
"You should shut your stupid fucking mouth... "
Tacky, Richy. Tacky.
Trucker said unions are a cancer, and people who work in burger joints are ignorant. Where's your outrage about that?
Anyone who's asking for civility in dealing with these Trump-loving dipshits needs to remember that they have no interest in "respecting" your point of view, they are always glad to call you names, and they have had plenty of opportunity at this point to change their mind about supporting the GOP.
The GOP, just to remind you, have an ideological base that thinks it's okay to lie, okay to take foreign money to influence elections, feel just fine gerrymandering their way into wins in districts where they are a distinct minority, if all else fails, they'll just steal the election in everything from disenfranchising black and latinx voters to just not counting Dem ballots. They don't respect the rule of law, they don't feel that any of our allies have a point of view worth considering. They are cool with locking up or killing the poor, and giving the rich all the extra bumps they so clearly need. They hate queers, women, and many of the aforementioned groups. They have also managed to convince poor whites that they don't need unions.
Fuck off, with your pointless civility to people who want you starve.
"Fuck off, with your pointless civility to people who want you starve."
You know, when it comes down to it, Richy, we're gonna need
everyone of those Trumpf supporters we can get.
There's plenty in the Military and Po-Po, we're not gonna get all of them, either, but to throw the ones we might get overboard, because they happen to be ignorant* I think that's just gonna Guarantee both sides lose. It's a numbers game, and while we do outnumber the Oilgarchs by nearly a millon to one, we still need the police AND the military.
*they CAN be informed
Hell, if all they ever listen to is Rush, and ever see is FOX,
they're at a distinct disadvantage -- but ignorance CAN be Cured.
But not by destroying any and all bridges.
"You know, when it comes down to it, Richy, we're gonna need
everyone of those Trumpf supporters we can get."
I almost forgot -- all those folks in the Middle.
We're gonna need them. Too.
Well, what exactly would you say to mister "unions are a cancer" up there, Krissy? Not only do I not feel much compunction to try to reach that individual, I think that there's whole swathes of the electorate we can do without.
Evangelicals: They already have a party, and wont be voting Republican Lite anytime soon. Forget 'em: Any party that goes after them debases itself.
The "Middle": Is there still one of these? If so, they've had plenty of time -as I said- to look at the obvious damage done to the country, courts, the constitution and our standing in the world that this administration has done. If they don't see it now, they're not worth reaching. Although if one wanted to, note that they'll believe Anything.
Police and military: It's weird that you act like those are monolithic voting blocs. They're not. Even more so, I think it's even weirder that you equate one asshole on the internet with them.
I don't think Trucker Bob is a person, anyway. I think T.B and Relax are the same guy: on the internet, the guy saying "I'LL KILL ALL OF YOU" and they guy saying, "Hey maaan, be civil!" are usually the same troll.
While you're all enjoying your weekend by writing stupid shit on the internet, please remember that union members literally died for your rights! xo
Laxy: Don't Care.
DSS: You may wish to take into account what you're doing this weekend, but yes: If there's a workplace protection that you enjoy, chances are a union fought for it. I myself probably wouldn't be able to make a living without my union, and am glad it's here. Is it perfect? Fuck no. But it still has far more accountability than your average corporation.
And I still haven't seen anyone specifically tell me why I should treat some random asshole on the internet who says inflammatory shit and disappears with any particular respect. They're not someone I'm trying to bring around to my way of thinking, and if they were an actual person, they'd probably behave better, too.
If you don't like unions, fine: but do be prepared to tell me how their influence in politics is somehow more pernicious that than of corporations. If you don't like it when I'm mean to trolls, fine; but be as outraged at the troll, for fucks' sake.
I gave some examples there of things the Dems could do that would suit them better than trying to find some largely illusory middle -almost everyone I've met who claims to be that is not telling the entire truth, and is far more ideological than they want to admit- and yes, it would include embracing the "elites."
Well? The other guys embraced all the shrinking demographics: why not do the opposite?
"Well, what exactly would you say to mister "unions are a cancer" up there, Krissy?
Also, if I felt that I was gonna change jackasses' minds, I wouldn't call them jackasses. But really, I feel just fine telling a jackass to shut up."
Were 'trucker bob' THE ONLY ONE READING THIS you'd probably have a good point.
"Not only do I not feel much compunction to try to reach that individual... "
Oh, you definitely reach him -- and also reach other readers who may share his pro-corporate opinion, not ever realizing all the Benefits -- as you so aptly describe -- Unions have brought this Country.
Ignorance CAN be Cured -- but seldom by telling people how stupid they are.
"The 'Middle' ... [have] had plenty of time -as I said- to look at the obvious damage done to the country, courts, the constitution and our standing in the world that this administration has done. If they don't see it now, they're not worth reaching."
Multinational corps OWN the messengers 'the Middle' relies on for their Information. Just finding out there are sources -- NON-corporate -- can be a Revelation to the un- / poorly- / mis- / and mal-informed. Throwing out the baby with the bathwater is seldom a recipe for political success.
"Police and military: It's weird that you act like those are monolithic voting blocs."
I'm not talking about Voting: I'm talking about choosing Sides when the shit finally hits the fan.
It does feels great to let off a little steam when you have easy targets like proudly-ignorant commenters, like 'trucker bob,' above. But, in the long run, is it Pragmatic?
You make many excellent points re: Unions and all the Benefits they bring, even to -- especially to -- those without membership in a union. I shouldn't wonder if you, rich bachelor, haven't educated more than one previously-ignorant reader here.
Would you have freedom from wage slavery,
Then join in the grand Industrial band;
Would you from misery and hunger be free,
Then come! Do your share, lend a hand!
CHORUS:
There is power, there is power
In a band of working folks.
When they stand hand in hand,
That's a power, that's a power
That must rule in every land --
One Industrial Union Grand.
Would you have mansions of gold in the sky,
And live in a shack, way in the back?
Would you have wings up in heaven to fly,
And starve here with rags on your back?
If you've had enough of the employee lunch,
Then join in the grand Industrial band;
If, for a change, you would have mimosas with brunch,
Then come! Do your share, lend a hand!
If you like sluggers to beat off your head,
Then don't organize, all unions despise,
If you want nothing before you are dead,
Shake hands with your boss and look wise.
Come, all ye workers, from every land,
Come join in the grand Industrial band.
Then we our share of this earth shall demand.
Come on! Do your share, lend a hand!
wow. Richy's Gone.
[was it something I said?]
sad
@18: "Then we our share of this earth shall demand."
Precisely what it's gonna Take.
Till then, that's MY Crumb!