What's your impression of unions/teamsters/organized labour?

[mjoseph]

ever been privy to such a group?
what does the future hold for orgaized labour?
experiences?

[Phyllis Hyman Cherry]

I have found that some unions really don't work.They side with management alot.The only thing is that they have benefits like paying for school/classes for one.

[Armento]

Impressions?? What do you want to hear?

Before you come to your conclusion realize this. Those who rule this country are in unions. Congress, Police, almost every government organization. They just don't want the working class to have any damn organization.

[mjoseph]

Impressions?? What do you want to hear?

Before you come to your conclusion realize this. Those who rule this country are in unions. Congress, Police, almost every government organization. They just don't want the working class to have any damn organization.

what about those which operate externally from government inst.?


before WE come to A conclusion, lets here some experiences...

[The Buddy Love Show]

what about those which operate externally from government inst.?


before WE come to A conclusion, lets here some experiences...

start with yours

[Armento]

what about those which operate externally from government inst.?


before WE come to A conclusion, lets here some experiences...
There is no conclusion. But if you zoom out you'll realize that we're being rammed in the arse with a red, white, blue dick (thanks George Carlin). They have unions we don't.

[mhd]

been in unions, worked for them, worked with them, overall very positive and very powerful group, very often led by very flawed men that reflects societies strengths and weaknesses

[Mr.I]

Peeps really don't realize the importance of unions. Without them the minimum wage would probably be $1 an hour, no employee benefits, 20 hour workdays, no vacation or paid sick leave, unsafe working conditions, no job security, child labor, ect. Unions fight for whats in your best interest.

[mjoseph]

start with yours

well i've only ever been in one that was definitley corrupted (relatives running the show). not a good experience. it was something i did to pay for college - all the while paying into something (dues) i knew i would never fully make use of - as i would leave when the opportunity was presented.

however these "working class" jobs - i just can't help but thinking of those reaching senior age - working in labour getting muscled out by youth or requiring medical benefit...i feel if someone has been contributing to taxes 50+ years, (low skill labour being an irrelevant point) - they deserve a break

ultimatley the best man for the job is the best man for the job - but i feel there should be allowances based on 'career performance'

[Chris Conrad]

been in unions, worked for them, worked with them, overall very positive and very powerful group, very often led by very flawed men that reflects societies strengths and weaknesses

i have to agree and am on the fence with certain things regarding this issue also...i was a teamster for several years, even went through a strike...yes, you had certain things protected and rules for how things got done, but in my personal experience, i could never get a straight answer from certain union officials and some sided with management no matter what...others were great in what they did...the one thing that really stood out was the rules for what could be done to us, the company could not make shit up as they went along like many do...years later i joined management within the same company, and because of the union, i felt my job was easier, because i knew what i could and could not do and also knew what the employees were expected to do...there was no gray area, no making shit up on a daily basis and i could not be the victim of another manager's vendetta because everyone knew how far employee performance could be taken before there were problems...now, the union organization itself, internally i found to be corrupt, dumbed down, sleezy/trashy and very political...

[D J 1 3 8]

Though I come from a long line of lefties, my one and only union experience was horrible.

I worked in a pharmaceutical factory in upstate NY for a summer when I was 19. My impression of the union was basically this: nobody could get fired, for ANYTHING, so every person did the minimal amount of work at the slowest pace possible, with zero pride in what they were producing.

People were constantly coming up to me, asking me, or even threatening me, to slow down my pace, cuz I was making them look bad. Perhaps if I was working there for 35 years like most of them, I might have shared their attitude, but I was not a lifer. Getting through the day by keeping busy was the only thing I knew how to do. Taking 25 minute cigarette breaks discussing Merl Haggard was not my bag.

Each different assembly line had a team of people working on it. At one point, my job was to watch a conveyor belt of aspirin bottles, and holler if I saw anything in the bottles that wasn't aspirin. I saw something, so they stopped the whole assembly line and found a piece of metal. This meant that the whole team had to stop, and we had to open up every case of aspirin boxed from that whole run, and empty each bottle, which was in the thousands. This work stoppage lowered their productivity rating, which effected their extra vacation days. Several people threatened me after that, telling me if I ever stopped the assembly line again, no matter what I saw in the bottles, I was dead.

I kept telling everybody that if they kept operating the plant at such low productivity, the whole place would get outsourced to Mexico, and the whole town would die overnight. 8 years later that is exactly what happened.

All that said, if I was in their position, I would probably be in the union, simply for the job security. Though the whole notion virtual immunity from being fired, no matter how bad you are at your job, is just crazy to me.

[The Buddy Love Show]

well i've only ever been in one that was definitley corrupted (relatives running the show). not a good experience. it was something i did to pay for college - all the while paying into something (dues) i knew i would never fully make use of - as i would leave when the opportunity was presented.

however these "working class" jobs - i just can't help but thinking of those reaching senior age - working in labour getting muscled out by youth or requiring medical benefit...i feel if someone has been contributing to taxes 50+ years, (low skill labour being an irrelevant point) - they deserve a break

ultimatley the best man for the job is the best man for the job - but i feel there should be allowances based on 'career performance'

being that english is my primary language, i don't understand the above

jus jokes

please expand as u r not clear to me

[housemasterreggie]

ever been privy to such a group?
what does the future hold for orgaized labour?
experiences?We need union so we don't go through bullshit with the company, even though we work for the company. I'm a union steward at pepsi, and i learned a lot of shit with the company and the union. I learned not only you got to watch the company, you got to watch out for your own people. They do things you would not believe. but it is a part of life. yes there are good unions and there are weak ones too. But we need them.

[Armento]

proletariat has spoken

http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/images/proletariat-temp.jpg

[housemasterreggie]

proletariat has spoken

http://www.hyperborea.org/flash/images/proletariat-temp.jpg
I won't be surprised if there is union for DJ's or on-air personalities, but it will happen. Only problem, do the DJ'S want to pay union dues?

[mjoseph]

being that english is my primary language, i don't understand the above

jus jokes

please expand as u r not clear to me

apologies, i was in a hurry and my writing will suffer when pressed (diarrhea over dissertation)

if i may be clear also - you are refering to my last statement in particular?

basically i'd like to see a structure in place for those reaching an age where they are not as physically capable in comparison to their youthful counterparts. maybe training them internally for postions more accomodating. this would function only for those in low skill labour postions (where i personally feel the need of a union is most urgent). the structure would provide job security for the aging demographic and exempt said party from any loss in wages.

i think the tax structure itself should take into consideration the career performance of the indivdiual, (taxes paid, hours worked, benefits recieved thus far). in a nutshell something to protect the aging population of low skilled workers.

i'm more than willing to listen to any argument for business structure and the impracticality of spending on an aging labourforce - so bring it :biggrin:

i work for a major US bank - and i deal with elderly bankruptcy EVERYDAY. yup, people living on cat food and budgeting their medicine. quite frankly it's embarassing.

[Perql8r]

Been a member of the CWA (Communications Workers of America) ever since I started with Verizon. Very powerful union. Because of the CWA we enjoy some of the best benefits, pay, etc to be had. (Not to mention a no-layoff clause in our contract - if VZ wants to downsize they CANNOT lay us off...either EISP packages are offered, or employees at a closing office are relocated to an equal paying position within the company).

Unions can be strong or week depending on the location - the CWA is very strong in our office, but other geographical areas may have weaker representation.

*However, there is one aspect that sometimes works my nerves. Seniority rules when it comes to many unionized jobs - so although I am the "go-to" guy for these 20+ year people for every question from training issues to "how do I send an attachment" - and I pretty much out-perform everyone in my office, I am still subject to people with senority getting first dibs on almost everything vs. top performer.

[Mr.I]

CWA is a great union. They've been having a really tough time trying to organize cable techs. Companies like Comcast fight the union tooth and nail. They treat their workers like shit compared to Verizon, much lower pay, lower benefits and the techs basically do the same job these days at both companies.

[Vinyl Deficit]

I hear the grocers union is terrible now. People that work at grocery store getting screwed. Used to be a good job to have.

[Armento]

I hear the grocers union is terrible now. People that work at grocery store getting screwed. Used to be a good job to have.
see.. now this is where I have an issue... Do people stacking cucumbers and putting groceries in my bag deserve a union? Why should this be a career job? This should be for the highschool kids and the minimum wage worker. People with 0 ambition with a NO SKILL job shouldn't be allowed a union. I'd have to say I'm with the Supermarkets on this. Usually i'm on the worker's side. But not skilless worker who just stays at Stop N Shop for life.

[Mr.I]

Contrary to belief, a lot of grocery stores really don't make that much of a profit. Not too much left over to share with the worker. Theres a lot of competition these days.

[Vinyl Deficit]

see.. now this is where I have an issue... Do people stacking cucumbers and putting groceries in my bag deserve a union? Why should this be a career job? This should be for the highschool kids and the minimum wage worker. People with 0 ambition with a NO SKILL job shouldn't be allowed a union. I'd have to say I'm with the Supermarkets on this. Usually i'm on the worker's side. But not skilless worker who just stays at Stop N Shop for life.
Well now, I wouldn't say it's a no skill job. You need to know your product, I would imagine, and take care not to damage goods. I'm sure there's a method to the madness [so to speak] with the jobs.

I always hear the checkers complaining about short or no hours. Used to be you had to be an actual checker to work the register. These days, they cross-train the courtesy clerks to do other various jobs, including checking.

[mjoseph]

Published on Thursday, February 10, 2005 by the Associated Press
As Union Nears Win, Wal-Mart Closes Store
by Adam Geller

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it will close one of its Canadian stores, just as some 200 workers at the location are near winning the first-ever union contract from the world's largest retailer.

Wal-Mart said it was shuttering the store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in response to unreasonable demands from union negotiators that would make it impossible for the store to sustain itself.

"We were hoping it wouldn't come to this," Andrew Pelletier, a spokesman for Wal-Mart Canada, said Wednesday. "Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we've been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably."


Pierre Martineau, left, and Patrice Bergeron, two of the Wal-Mart workers who initiated the unionization, stand in front of their workplace, a Wal-Mart department store, Tuesday Sept. 28, 2004 in Jonquiere, Que. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday, Feb. 9, 2005, it will close the Canadian store. (AP Photo/CP PHOTO/Jacques Boissinot)

Pelletier said the store will close in May. The retailer had first discussed closing the Jonquiere store last October, saying the store was losing money.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Canada asked Quebec labor officials to appoint a mediator last week, saying negotiations with Wal-Mart had reached an impasse.

Union leaders dismissed Wal-Mart's reasons for closing the store and promised to fight the move.

"Wal-Mart has fired these workers not because the store was losing money but because the workers exercised their right to join a union," Michael J. Fraser, national director of UFCW Canada, said in a written statement. "Once again, Wal-Mart has decided it is above the law and that the only rules that count are their rules."

Wal-Mart's decision to close the store reflects the retailer's deeply rooted aversion to unions, and its worries that organized labor had nearly established a beachhead, said Burt Flickinger III of Strategic Resource Group, a consulting firm specializing in retailing and consumer goods.

But he said the move could backfire for Wal-Mart, which has worked hard to counter a wave of bad publicity and portray itself as a generous employer.

"The store closing may potentially catalyze the combination of the government (officials in Canada), organized labor and consumers working together against Wal-Mart," Flickinger said.

Claudia Tremblay, a cashier at the store, said many employees burst into tears when managers told them the news Wednesday morning.

"Many people cried, including myself," Tremblay said. "I'm a mother of two children and I'm separated from my husband. It's very difficult."

Tremblay said she abstained from the unionization vote. She said she was upset her noncommittal stance won't save her job.

The store in Jonquiere, about 240 miles northeast of Montreal, became the first unionized Wal-Mart store in North America last September, after the bargaining unit was certified by provincial labor officials. Since then, workers at a second Quebec store have also been granted union status. Neither has reached a contract.

The union efforts at both stores are part of a larger chess game labor organizers are waging with Wal-Mart at stores across Canada. The campaign, financed by UFCW money from both Canada and the United States, is also geared toward capturing workers' attention in Wal-Mart's home country.

The closest a U.S. union has ever come to winning a battle with Bentonville, Ark.-based company occurred in 2000 at a store in Jacksonville, Texas, where 11 workers in the store's meatpacking department voted to join and be represented by the UFCW.

That effort failed when Wal-Mart eliminated the job of meatcutter companywide, and shifted from in-store meatcutting to stocking only pre-wrapped meat.

[Perql8r]

Published on Thursday, February 10, 2005 by the Associated Press
As Union Nears Win, Wal-Mart Closes Store
by Adam Geller

NEW YORK - Wal-Mart Stores Inc. says it will close one of its Canadian stores, just as some 200 workers at the location are near winning the first-ever union contract from the world's largest retailer.

Wal-Mart said it was shuttering the store in Jonquiere, Quebec, in response to unreasonable demands from union negotiators that would make it impossible for the store to sustain itself.

"We were hoping it wouldn't come to this," Andrew Pelletier, a spokesman for Wal-Mart Canada, said Wednesday. "Despite nine days of meetings over three months, we've been unable to reach an agreement with the union that in our view will allow the store to operate efficiently and profitably."


Pierre Martineau, left, and Patrice Bergeron, two of the Wal-Mart workers who initiated the unionization, stand in front of their workplace, a Wal-Mart department store, Tuesday Sept. 28, 2004 in Jonquiere, Que. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Thursday, Feb. 9, 2005, it will close the Canadian store. (AP Photo/CP PHOTO/Jacques Boissinot)

Pelletier said the store will close in May. The retailer had first discussed closing the Jonquiere store last October, saying the store was losing money.

The United Food & Commercial Workers Canada asked Quebec labor officials to appoint a mediator last week, saying negotiations with Wal-Mart had reached an impasse.

Union leaders dismissed Wal-Mart's reasons for closing the store and promised to fight the move.

"Wal-Mart has fired these workers not because the store was losing money but because the workers exercised their right to join a union," Michael J. Fraser, national director of UFCW Canada, said in a written statement. "Once again, Wal-Mart has decided it is above the law and that the only rules that count are their rules."

Wal-Mart's decision to close the store reflects the retailer's deeply rooted aversion to unions, and its worries that organized labor had nearly established a beachhead, said Burt Flickinger III of Strategic Resource Group, a consulting firm specializing in retailing and consumer goods.

But he said the move could backfire for Wal-Mart, which has worked hard to counter a wave of bad publicity and portray itself as a generous employer.

"The store closing may potentially catalyze the combination of the government (officials in Canada), organized labor and consumers working together against Wal-Mart," Flickinger said.

Claudia Tremblay, a cashier at the store, said many employees burst into tears when managers told them the news Wednesday morning.

"Many people cried, including myself," Tremblay said. "I'm a mother of two children and I'm separated from my husband. It's very difficult."

Tremblay said she abstained from the unionization vote. She said she was upset her noncommittal stance won't save her job.

The store in Jonquiere, about 240 miles northeast of Montreal, became the first unionized Wal-Mart store in North America last September, after the bargaining unit was certified by provincial labor officials. Since then, workers at a second Quebec store have also been granted union status. Neither has reached a contract.

The union efforts at both stores are part of a larger chess game labor organizers are waging with Wal-Mart at stores across Canada. The campaign, financed by UFCW money from both Canada and the United States, is also geared toward capturing workers' attention in Wal-Mart's home country.

The closest a U.S. union has ever come to winning a battle with Bentonville, Ark.-based company occurred in 2000 at a store in Jacksonville, Texas, where 11 workers in the store's meatpacking department voted to join and be represented by the UFCW.

That effort failed when Wal-Mart eliminated the job of meatcutter companywide, and shifted from in-store meatcutting to stocking only pre-wrapped meat.

WOW!! Now if there is one retailer where a union is warranted, it would be WalMart, IMO. ALL the money they are making, international locations, etc - PRIME example of greed on Wal-Mart's part. I have a friend who works for Wal-Mart...she cannot take holidays off because it is their "prime season". The only holiday she has off is Christmas (only because they are closed). She had to work the entire Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)...I think she had Sunday off. I am trying to remember what they get paid for holidays...I seriously doubt that it's the doubletime and a half Verizon employees who might have to work (411 operators) receive.

[Armento]

WOW!! Now if there is one retailer where a union is warranted, it would be WalMart, IMO. ALL the money they are making, international locations, etc - PRIME example of greed on Wal-Mart's part. I have a friend who works for Wal-Mart...she cannot take holidays off because it is their "prime season". The only holiday she has off is Christmas (only because they are closed). She had to work the entire Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday)...I think she had Sunday off. I am trying to remember what they get paid for holidays...I seriously doubt that it's the doubletime and a half Verizon employees who might have to work (411 operators) receive.
She's free to look for another job. Wallmart is for people who are desparate for the lowest pay. Like I was when I moved to the US and A. Difference is it wasn't ok to stick around and complain for me. How does this warrant a union?

[mhd]

see.. now this is where I have an issue... Do people stacking cucumbers and putting groceries in my bag deserve a union? Why should this be a career job? This should be for the highschool kids and the minimum wage worker. People with 0 ambition with a NO SKILL job shouldn't be allowed a union. I'd have to say I'm with the Supermarkets on this. Usually i'm on the worker's side. But not skilless worker who just stays at Stop N Shop for life.

wow

[Vinyl Deficit]

She's free to look for another job. Wallmart is for people who are desparate for the lowest pay. Like I was when I moved to the US and A. Difference is it wasn't ok to stick around and complain for me. How does this warrant a union?

You fail to realise that it's not always a viable option to better yourself for some people.

[Armento]

wow
help me out mhd.. where's my thinking flawed? shouldn't it be incumbent upon the worker to try to look around, advance?

[Perql8r]

She's free to look for another job. Wallmart is for people who are desparate for the lowest pay. Like I was when I moved to the US and A. Difference is it wasn't ok to stick around and complain for me. How does this warrant a union?

I am not speaking strickly for her. Wal-Mart is a much different animal than a grocery store. You cannot pidgeonhole all WalMart workers into one type of person - the person I described is FAR from the "type" you think works at WalMart. For the record, she's been a US citizen for about 2 years - she is a Bahamas native.

Regardless, bottom line is businesses on WalMart's scale NEED workers - if they continue to feel that they can get over paying workers peanuts while making millio - no - BILLIONS, they are going to do it. This is where unions come into play. Even if you are not "skilled", you still deserve to be treated fairly because without the workers the business doesn't run.

The same could be said about a job like mine if there was no union. We'd be making pennies, and somebody would say "Verizon is for people who are desparate for the lowest pay". The only thing that keeps us from that label is that fact that we DO have a union, and they have allowed us the privileges we enjoy today. There is an office of Verizon contractors that are not covered by the CWA...they do not make NEAR as much as we do, but do some of the same work. Are they also "people who are desparate for the lowest pay"?

Oh yeah - the Hampton Roads job market isn't all that - HUGE Navy town. People can't expect to simply look for another job and find anything much better - especially due to the fact that MANY of the decent jobs in this area are taken by ex-military. (Oh BTW - I am one of those ex-military)

[mhd]

help me out mhd.. where's my thinking flawed? shouldn't it be incumbent upon the worker to try to look around, advance?

yes, but, maybe that job is an advancement, maybe that worker crawled through a sewer line filled with shit as a way to 'look around' , i just see unskilled labor jobs as needing more protection from management through a union since they are less likely to be equipped to defend themselves from harsh, dangerous working conditions. unskilled labor jobs are a key part of our economy, for some its an entry to the workforce, for others it is a final destination,so, sure, some use these jobs for beer money, others to feed their families, jes sayin, btw, two great union movies, grapes of wrath and norma rae

[Perql8r]

yes, but, maybe that job is an advancement, maybe that worker crawled through a sewer line filled with shit as a way to 'look around' , i just see unskilled labor jobs as needing more protection from management through a union since they are less likely to be equipped to defend themselves from harsh, dangerous working conditions. unskilled labor jobs are a key part of our economy, for some its an entry to the workforce, for others it is a final destination,so, sure, some use these jobs for beer money, others to feed their families, jes sayin, btw, two great union movies, grapes of wrath and norma rae

Exactly! As I said in my previous post - not everyone is slated for the same "skill" jobs. Those working at jobs like Wal-Mart still deserve protection. Thinking otherwise is almost taking a classist view - as if they are do not deserve consideration simply because they are "beneath" skilled workers.

Come to think of it, some of Armen's stated views are exactly what unions protect against.

[redraider]

She's free to look for another job. Wallmart is for people who are desparate for the lowest pay. Like I was when I moved to the US and A. Difference is it wasn't ok to stick around and complain for me. How does this warrant a union?

Easily spoken by someone who doesn't other responsibilities besides yourself. Not everyone has the option just to up and quit a job. Many work retail jobs as a second job or work there because retail is one of the few options for night jobs. Many of us have to slowly pay our way through school and take care of a family, we can't rely on the government to pay our way through life or others. Some started a family and responsibilities before they had a chance to finish school or plan their life. The attitude you carry is what makes part of the job miserable, people coming in to the store with that attitude that retail workers are beneath you. Respect goes 2 ways, next time you step into a grocery store or retail store and they give you attitude or bad service, they probably had to deal with someone with the "I'm better than you, now serve me" attitude.

[Armento]

Easily spoken by someone who doesn't other responsibilities besides yourself. Not everyone has the option just to up and quit a job. Many work retail jobs as a second job or work there because retail is one of the few options for night jobs. Many of us have to slowly pay our way through school and take care of a family, we can't rely on the government to pay our way through life or others. Some started a family and responsibilities before they had a chance to finish school or plan their life. The attitude you carry is what makes part of the job miserable, people coming in to the store with that attitude that retail workers are beneath you. Respect goes 2 ways, next time you step into a grocery store or retail store and they give you attitude or bad service, they probably had to deal with someone with the "I'm better than you, now serve me" attitude.


I have more responsibility and dependents than you know and got plenty of problems. Don't make me have to go into it all again. I'm better than noone. I'm trying to figure out here why Walmart is responsible for people's personal struggles. Explain to me why Walmart should care about the personal choices people have made. My employer doesn't care what is going on at my house.. and why should it?????????? In capitalism, my employer seeks the cheapest employee for the task. You know me personaly, you should know me better than that now. I started with absolute nothing, so i get it.

[jimmymack-2000]

btw, two great union movies, grapes of wrath and norma rae

Amen, and add John Sayles' "Matawan" to that.

[jimmymack-2000]

I have more responsibility and dependents than you know and got plenty of problems. Don't make me have to go into it all again. I'm better than noone. I'm trying to figure out here why Walmart is responsible for people's personal struggles. Explain to me why Walmart should care about the personal choices people have made. My employer doesn't care what is going on at my house.. and why should it?????????? In capitalism, my employer seeks the cheapest employee for the task. You know me personaly, you should know me better than that now. I started with absolute nothing, so i get it.

Wow, again. Why are the people who "started with nothing" always the ones with their foots on the necks of people with nothing in the here and now?

[Perql8r]

I have more responsibility and dependents than you know and got plenty of problems. Don't make me have to go into it all again. I'm better than noone. I'm trying to figure out here why Walmart is responsible for people's personal struggles. Explain to me why Walmart should care about the personal choices people have made. My employer doesn't care what is going on at my house.. and why should it?????????? In capitalism, my employer seeks the cheapest employee for the task. You know me personaly, you should know me better than that now. I started with absolute nothing, so i get it.

You said it right there - "your employer doesn't care..." - again, THAT's where the union comes into play. WE as employees DO care, and the union gives us a medium to negotiate with those non-caring employers. Bottom line - with a strong union, either the employer STARTS caring (or at least act like they do) or their employees walk out on strike (and with our union, you cannot be fired/layed off for going on strike) - and they lose $$$. I've been through a week long strike with VZ - no 411, no repair calls, no new connect calls, etc. Management had to go in and try to do the jobs of 100+ employees in our office (we had 6 managers). And we all know that half the time management have no idea how to do the jobs of their employees.

You totally missed the point with your "personal choices" comment...sometimes it's not merely a personal choice - it's a necessity. You're telling me that if you worked at Wal-Mart (a HUGE international behemoth), and you had the chance to vote on whether or not you wanted to unionize, you'd vote no? NO job is responsible for people's personal struggles, but like I said - that is exactly where the union comes into play. Yes, Verizon also seeks the cheapest employee for the task - but the union has helped regulate exactly HOW low VZ can go. I don't know you, either - but you speak/post like a management person.

[Vinyl Deficit]

Empathy...it's good to have a little.

[redraider]

I have more responsibility and dependents than you know and got plenty of problems. Don't make me have to go into it all again. I'm better than noone. I'm trying to figure out here why Walmart is responsible for people's personal struggles. Explain to me why Walmart should care about the personal choices people have made. My employer doesn't care what is going on at my house.. and why should it?????????? In capitalism, my employer seeks the cheapest employee for the task. You know me personaly, you should know me better than that now. I started with absolute nothing, so i get it.

Your tone on your post makes it sound like you feel those working for walmart or any retail store for that matter get what they deserve because they don't change jobs, like they are beneath having a union to stick up for their rights as workers. I'm telling ya, it's not that easy to just get another job getting what you want or deserve. Why wouldn't they deserve a union? Because it's not a "skilled" job in some people's minds. All employees deserve respect in the work place, the hours they signed up for(especially those who depend on that job as a main pay check), and benefits. Many times who go into the job with the promise you'll get the benefits as long as you are fulltime and be told that it is possible to be full time....then realize by looking at your schedule they kept you from the full time hours by 15 minutes.

[Armento]

Your tone on your post makes it sound like you feel those working for walmart or any retail store for that matter get what they deserve because they don't change jobs, like they are beneath having a union to stick up for their rights as workers. I'm telling ya, it's not that easy to just get another job getting what you want or deserve. Why wouldn't they deserve a union? Because it's not a "skilled" job in some people's minds. All employees deserve respect in the work place, the hours they signed up for(especially those who depend on that job as a main pay check), and benefits. Many times who go into the job with the promise you'll get the benefits as long as you are fulltime and be told that it is possible to be full time....then realize by looking at your schedule they kept you from the full time hours by 15 minutes.
Kim, I'm a fucking commie from Russia. I want Kucinich to win and set up a Socialist system here. That's what I want. BUT. I'm living in the USA the most capitalistic, greedy place on earth. With the system here the way it is now, I cannot find one reason for a retailer to be empathetic. Businesses are in the business of increasing profits. I'm

[redraider]

Kim, I'm a fucking commie from Russia. I want Kucinich to win and set up a Socialist system here. That's what I want. BUT. I'm living in the USA the most capitalistic, greedy place on earth. With the system here the way it is now, I cannot find one reason for a retailer to be empathetic. Businesses are in the business of increasing profits. I'm


That is true..but you are not a business nor a business owner...so why are you so callous? Why does it matter to you if retail or grocery workers have their own union? You are an employee, if your company started screwing with your pay or benefits wouldn't you want someone to stick up for you and help you regain what you work HARD for?

[Armento]

That is true..but you are not a business nor a business owner...so why are you so callous? Why does it matter to you if retail or grocery workers have their own union? You are an employee, if your company started screwing with your pay or benefits wouldn't you want someone to stick up for you and help you regain what you work HARD for?
I'm explaining capitalism. Which deep down I hate with a passion.

[ngeso]

I am principally pro-Union and pro-class action.


...

[Armento]

I am principally pro-Union and pro-class action.


... Does every job category have unions in Germany?

[Mr.I]

I'm explaining capitalism. Which deep down I hate with a passion.

http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2005/news/051107/dking.jpg

[Perql8r]

Kim, I'm a fucking commie from Russia. I want Kucinich to win and set up a Socialist system here. That's what I want. BUT. I'm living in the USA the most capitalistic, greedy place on earth. With the system here the way it is now, I cannot find one reason for a retailer to be empathetic. Businesses are in the business of increasing profits. I'm

...and on the same token, I cannot find one reason for a union to be empathetic with said retailer when it comes to fighting for the pay, benefits, and rights that the workers deserve.

[ngeso]

Does every job category have unions in Germany?



No, actually they don't. Germans are timid unionists, they have lost a lot of their basic worker/socialist ethic since the war. Germans have, for all purposes, resigned themselves to the growth of individual poverty and the whittling down of all social institutions. Everything over here is turning to crap, except for a couple of hundred managers raking in the billions. Germany is turning into a capitalist hell.

We're not like the French, where worker organization and strikes are a powerful political tool. I wish we were more like them.


...

[mjoseph]

Danny Glover
Danny Glover wears two hats: award-winning actor and uncompromising activist.



He has charmed audiences on stage and screen with his commanding presence, talent, and likeability. Off-screen, he has dedicated his life to standing up for what is right and used his clout to raise the visibility of issues of social justice and human rights.

He has marched and rallied with SEIU members across the nation, from his support of immigrant nursing home workers seeking to unite with SEIU in Florida to adding his voice to our call for "Health Care for All."

The son of postal workers and active union members in San Francisco, Glover's political awareness was shaped by his parents' involvement with the civil rights and workers' rights movements. During college, he became an outspoken student activist and member of the Black Students Union at San Francisco State. While a struggling actor and part-time cab driver, Glover himself walked the picket line when taxi drivers went on strike in 1978.

Today, Glover is routinely found marching alongside those fighting for their rights. Most recently, he embarked on a multi-city tour with UNITE HERE's Hotel Workers Rising campaign. Through this initiative, Glover is supporting and rallying with workers who are fighting against what has become all too common in the hotel industry: long hours, low wages, and discrimination.

Throughout his career, Glover has produced and starred in plays and films of historical relevance and social conscience, and supported social movements for peace, racial justice, and the end of global poverty, the death penalty, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He currently serves as Board Chairman of TransAfrica Forum.

[mjoseph]

Wow, again. Why are the people who "started with nothing" always the ones with their foots on the necks of people with nothing in the here and now?

ahh , like an ex-smoker with a grudge


nice Jam quote btw

[ngeso]

Danny Glover
Danny Glover wears two hats: award-winning actor and uncompromising activist.



He has charmed audiences on stage and screen with his commanding presence, talent, and likeability. Off-screen, he has dedicated his life to standing up for what is right and used his clout to raise the visibility of issues of social justice and human rights.

He has marched and rallied with SEIU members across the nation, from his support of immigrant nursing home workers seeking to unite with SEIU in Florida to adding his voice to our call for "Health Care for All."

The son of postal workers and active union members in San Francisco, Glover's political awareness was shaped by his parents' involvement with the civil rights and workers' rights movements. During college, he became an outspoken student activist and member of the Black Students Union at San Francisco State. While a struggling actor and part-time cab driver, Glover himself walked the picket line when taxi drivers went on strike in 1978.

Today, Glover is routinely found marching alongside those fighting for their rights. Most recently, he embarked on a multi-city tour with UNITE HERE's Hotel Workers Rising campaign. Through this initiative, Glover is supporting and rallying with workers who are fighting against what has become all too common in the hotel industry: long hours, low wages, and discrimination.

Throughout his career, Glover has produced and starred in plays and films of historical relevance and social conscience, and supported social movements for peace, racial justice, and the end of global poverty, the death penalty, and the spread of HIV/AIDS.

He currently serves as Board Chairman of TransAfrica Forum.




Danny Glover is the man. I didn't really know anything about him (apart from the acting) until I started looking up stuff on him because I saw him in Abderrahmane Sissako's Bamako, thinking his participation in an African production quite surprising. That's when I found out about all his other work.

:thumb:

...