This is going to sound completely out of character for me, as most of my veiws are very conservative. It only proves that I am not a republican or a NeoCon, but an independant mind.
bchcky said:
you dont sign a contract that says you're going to work for the next 5 years and have your salary steadily increase. whats to keep your boss from laying you off, or firing you? whats to keep you from up and quitting and going to another company to do the same thing for more money? we're not as lucky to get contracts like pro athletes do, and even then, its not good enough for them.
Actually, that is EXACTLY what a union contract does. I have worked for several unions: IBEW (lineman), BMWE (lineman at AMTRAK), CWA (Cable Splicer at Verizon) to name 3 bigger ones. Our contracts have always been anywhere from 3-5 years and had wage increases annually. Some had language for protection against layoffs, or strict guidelines for them.
Contract lengths
I am currently working under a 5 year contract between CWA and the major Tel Co in this area.
Pay
My pay is set for this period, increasing annually at a fixed percentage. If the cost of living index rises above a certain point, the wage increase will be higher. All of my benefits from profit sharing, 401K, health, vision, vacation, holidays (9 of them), and several others including things like adoption assistance, legal assistance, tuition reimbursement, etc, etc, etc... are ALL in our contract.
Layoffs:
Verizon cannot lay me off from my job unless they are experiencing a financial hardship and they must get rid of any and all contractors before they can touch my job. Then if I were to get laid off, they would have to hire me back befor hiring someone else in my job classification. They laid off hundreds of employee's in new england a couple years ago, and didn't follow the guidelines. All those employees were returned to their jobs and received full backpay.
Firing
The contract is an agreement, and protects both sides.
There are guidelines for disciplinary action for just about anything an employee could get fired for. Some are no-brainers like theft would be grounds for immediate dismissal. Poor job performance would be a progressive step plan that could result in termination, but would usually result in someone's job being downgraded if they were having trouble.
What's the difference you ask? You can have that without a Union? Well I have it all in
writing, a legally binding contract and it cannot be taken away because some corporate jackass decided he wasn't going to make enough on his stock options this year.
Believe it or not, there is a pretty good relationship between management and union employees there. It gets a little tense around negotiation time, but for the most part it's good.
5 years form last August we'll hash out another deal. We got this one without a strike, but it is not always how it goes. I've sat out 4 weeks before and will gladly do it again to ensure a fair contract. With axe handles and baseball bats if needed (just kidding, well sort of :wink: ).
Oh, and as for
what's to stop me from leaving and going elsewhere?
Not a thing, but do you think I'm nuts :shock:
Remember the 40 hour work week, minimum wage, lunch breaks, and things of the like are all compliments of the blood, sweat, and tears of labor unions that were formed of employees like you and me. The people who run them are elected by the same.
The strong ones that remain still set the bar for the rest of the working class. If they fall, so will the average Joe's standard of living.
Or you could leave it up to the Enron's out there if you prefer...
TwistedHoffa
You all know I enjoy a good debate, but there are few topics I enjoy as much as unions - and I invite a challenge 8)