Port Strike

[GSPHUNTER]

I was the shop steward/foreman for the company I worked at. When I called the union for a hand, I told them to send me someone who is willing to do as I tell them. When they came out I told them we are a small Co., generally no more then six workers, you have one job, that's to do what I tell you, or drag up. I did get a few calls from the hall asking why I sent them back. I told them because they won't do their job, it's that simple.

 

[*zap*]

I was a shop steward for a construction union long ago in nyc. we had a place everyone would gather at before work and then the guys were scattered around the work site working. I waited for everyone to get working and then went around and took the coffee break order. Went/got that distributed it and then had coffee break...then started taking the lunch order....went/got that and distributed it then took lunch....then stated taking the afternoon break order......never really worked...and that was the standard. The union wanted it that way. But that was before many here were born...I only was with local 104 for a few years.

Some places we worked the neighborhood action groups would bring busloads of people to the site to disrupt work until the company agreed to a put a few of those folks on....mostly they were useless but a few were workers. It was a mason tenders/foundation laborers union so there was no apprenticeship.

Maybe it is different today, maybe better maybe worse.....busloads of migrants could show up demanding to be paid to hold the ground down...

 

[HuntHarder]

In order to keep everything on the up and up, I caution everyone on both sides of union vs. Non union, to not paint with a broad brush. EVERY situation has its good and bad apples.

 

[Nine Banger]

I bet most of the guys are on here at work.

Not the plumbers...

 

[bozeman]

Just read where that Union 'boss' brings home over $900k/year......WHAT????

 

[ThorM465]

Capitalism is great, until you’re the one falling victim to it and paying the price. I’m sure the conversation would be different if we were looking at automating ag, or education, or you name it.

I’m sure this thread won’t disappoint with entertainment.

Sir we haven't been a capitalist country since the 16th Amendment and that's a fact. You don't get top blame capitalism where it doesn't exist. At this point, Capitalism is nothing more than a term used to manipulate the masses.

 

[Jason Snyder]

Well, it certainly isn’t disappointing me with entertainment.

 

[DenverCountryBoy]

Just read where that Union 'boss' brings home over $900k/year......WHAT????

Over a million when you add in his pay for also being president of a local.

One of his sons is making $700k+ in union positions, the other is over $400k.

 

[bozeman]

Over a million when you add in his pay for also being president of a local.

One of his sons is making $700k+ in union positions, the other is over $400k.

But let's focus on CEO pay.....got it. smh.....

 

[Rotnguns]

Over a million when you add in his pay for also being president of a local.

One of his sons is making $700k+ in union positions, the other is over $400k.

Not to mention a car and a crazy-good pension.

 

[manitou1]

This is not even kinda true, I work on the docks and have been sitting in on the negations. Our docks are some of the best in the world from a production stand point. Turn off CNN. Very true we fighting against automation. lol I wish they offered a 300% increase in our retirement.

So you guys hold America hostage during one of the most trying and worst times in our history?
Real patriots I tell ya.

 

[manitou1]

UAW member here, in 12.5 years ive seen a total of 3 people fired.. one of which was his 5th time, and he was rehired 3 months later... again. from my POV that's ALL the union does is prevent people from being fired and/or held accountable in any way.

Organized crime at it's finest.

 

[manitou1]

To be clear...you mean you believe in keeping your job.

If others downstream lost their job because of interruptions as a result of the strike...that would seem to matter a bit less? If the engineers responsible for developing automation lose their jobs...also okay?
I'm not faulting you for fighting for your job brother, but let's acknowledge the associated "opportunity cost" as it were.

The idea that you are OWED a 50% pay increase over the next 5-8 years sounds laughable to most of the rest of the non-unionized country as that's not based in reality...that's California-type economics in that it's not sustainable.

Just one guy's opinion.

Dave

When I was young I was in a union. We were some of the highest paid people in several counties. The company had to close their doors due to the union pricing them out of business.

 

[maxx075]

I find it funny that some of the "automation" that they're fighting is literally dudes operating gates. Like they don't even want automatic gates, because it takes away Johnny that can't read's job.

They're in for a hard reality check.

 

[manitou1]

I gotta believe they will invoke the Taft-Hartley but who knows for sure.

my thoughts exactly. He could stop this and allow for more time to negotiate.

I doubt it. The current administration would lose votes, and it would slow down their plan to destroy the US and install a one world government.

 

[49ereric]

I imagine it matters where you are at what the job is. But around me if you show up at a job site with union labor it's absolutely pitiful. All you hear is "thats so and so job", "I only run the excavator", "you will have to wait until after break to get unloaded". Meanwhile us non union guys are all about getting stuff done and moving on with life. I am not a fan of the "not my job" comment.

That is incorrect in my IUOE local 49 working experience. Pull that attitude out on the job you better hope you are indispensable cuz otherwise you just got on the first lay off list and never call again list. I worked highway heavy building trades pipeline and nuke outages until I retired.

 

[ddd-shooter]

Remember when all the fast food workers needed $15 an hour ten years ago and then a ton of restaurants went to automated kiosks?

I’m all for a living wage, and most people don’t make what they’re worth, but there’s definitely got to be a middle ground.

 

[KsRancher]

Employees request higher pay or they will, at the very worst, disrupt work, equals legal extortion in your words.

So if an employer tells employees that if they don’t like working conditions they can quit and start over, that equals what?

It’s the same thing. No one’s hands are clean. No side is perfect and there are definitely cases of abuse on both sides, but if I’m speaking generally, I’ll side with the guy actually doing the work every single time.

I disagree. The union holds the upper hand because they are allowed to form a union in the first place. Most cases the employer didn't want to have union labor to begin with. They were forced to legally.

 

[KsRancher]

Over a million when you add in his pay for also being president of a local.

One of his sons is making $700k+ in union positions, the other is over $400k.

This is great. And we have union workers worried about what some CEO or shipping company makes. They say they are just wanting a "living wage" and the company can afford it because of what they make. All the while their union leader pulling in 7 figures.

 

[maxx075]

Hoarding has already begun. Can't find TP locally