Should Congress Change Labor Law on How a Union Can Organize?

Glad to hear from you. Let's reset:

1) To be clear, I never stated that unions should go away. I stated that they should change as opposed to enacting EFCA. I will also concede some and say that if unions can change (job transportability, etc), then maybe some of the labor laws should/could change.

2) Add value to the products/services you produce such that there is market demand and viability for the business. It may not be fair at times, but there is a lot of competitive forces out there working against every business - and employees (both union and nonunion) have to bring collaborative energy to their employer. 'Wishful thinking' or 'fantasy island' as you put is described by others as imagination and vision, which is how we were able to put mankind on the moon - so I take your remarks as a complement.

3)Education is the key. I have friends in the UAW, and they tell me that the UAW wants their rank and file to be technically proficient, but emotionally & financially weak. This keeps the UAW relavant, and when it is time to stoke the flames of fairness, toeing the line of election tickets, or carrying signs they fall in line like a bunch of lemmings. My point is to get education about personnal finances (living by a budget), going to night school when the plant declares a possible shut down in 3 to 5 years, or learning to listen to what leadership tells you with a grain of salt so that you can think indendently.

4 & 5)Unions pull the emotional middle class card way too much. I do not disagree with your last post - there was a large spill over, and the industrial/manufacturing base of the USA supported it. The manual nature of the work allowed for and commanded real value for these wages. And the GI bill and the rise in post G12 education had a profound affect as well. However, that time has passed. For the unions to declare 'bring back the middle class' is inferring that unions and their business as usual will do this - and that is not so. It is also too dramatic, and for them to reassume their seat at the table requires real and sustainable internal changes on their part. I would love for the unions to appply their current model to China, Mexico, Vietnam, etc - but it will not work the way it once did in the USA; EFCA or no EFCA. If EFCA passess I propose that unions will be out flanked in ten years. In current form, unions do not add enough value to retail. The Walmarts and Costcos that I've been to are safe, well lit, and employ knowledgeable and caring associates who seem to care and seem satisfied with earnings. I too have many family members who made a life in the unions, and others who did it independantly in business or as farmers. We own our futures, and how we get their is our responsibilty - coersion or not.

6)whether you acknowledge it or not - real and/or perceived - unions must address the corruption metaphore (label) no matter how you or I define it.

I am not anti union, but I am anti excuse.

Ray of KY 4:13PM April 07, 2009