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Is this a true statement?

We dumped the AFSCME may years ago in the corrections of Misery. Be Well, RZ.

International union of operating engineers, I cannot stand behind my unions political contributions. That is why I no longer Contribute-into PAC. 30 years in this local I stopped contributing about 26 years ago :-) I have always voted Republican, most members in my local vote Republican not all but most.

The biggest problem with Unions is that workers are not allowed to decide whether or not they want to "belong." Except in Right-to-Work states, their dues are automatically extracted from their pay. Membership is not an option.

The contract that allows this is between the employer and the union headquarters. The workers are not a party to it.

If unions are such a good deal, why do they have to coerce workers to join by taking their pay automatically? It's like the old Soviet Union. A "worker's paradise" and you aren't allowed to leave.

The second biggest problem is that it's almost impossible to decertify a union once they get in. There are some awfully managed companies. In fact you have to be awfully managed to get a union in. But if conditions improve, you're not allowed to get rid of it without jumping through almost-impossible hoops.

A union is like a shoe that if you try it on, you can't take it off.

Strangely enough, not a union member here. Texas has a couple of teacher unions but with little political clout compared to some other states.

When I was hired back in the 80’s it was on a “continuing contract” still in effect 30+ years later, for the last 15 years or so teachers hiring into the district regardless of experience are hired on two year contracts that must be renewed every 48 months indefinitely.

But my own “continuing contract” is just a formality, my only job security is doing a good enough job that they want me on staff the following year. So far so good but every summer they want me back I breathe a sigh of relief; I still got an income until at least August the next summer (contract runs Sept-Aug).

The primary benefit of a Union comes at retirement time. If you are a Union member you get to decide when you retire. If not you are at the whims of the company. You might get a severance, might not. This is a big deal. Retire five years early and your broke without a chance of recovery. Timing is important when moving towards SS.

I don't pay Union dues anymore, but the NEPBA formally backed Trump in '16 and '20.

Police most often need Unions to protect themselves from politically appointed police chiefs particularly in the large cities of Blue states,,,,,and in red states.

I thank Governor Scott Walker for bringing right to work to our state. I used to belong to a union, but a few of us quit 2 years ago. Not going back

Isn't the postal service union? That's about as good of an example as it gets.

I get it..... you preffer a Marxist collective to negotiate on your behalf , rather than standing on your own two feet...... a hint for you, they are representing the sloth next to you also....
At least you can advance on tenure rather than merit.... congrats

Billygoat , I am a member the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and one of the Union representatives for the record no I do not approve of all of their contributions . I voted for Donald Trump both times . I work for a class 1 Rail Road and thier disciple policy is extremely unreasonable. For example a 20 year Engineer with nothing on his record passed a stop signal in early 2019 his employment was terminated. Just this month I was able to get him back to work. Without the Union he would have been looking for another career at age 50. Aside from the Job protection the union negotiated benefits are some of the best in the industry. As far as those who think they can (opt) out of membership and still receive the same protection, well coming from the guy you are going to call when you get fired you might want to reconsider.

I’m a member of poam. Seems the majority of their political contributions go to republicans and I’ve openly opposed contributions to democrats.

Yep, and all politicians are humble public servants who are doing their best for their constituents - personal enrichment be damned.
LMAO

Plumbers local 68, they still tell us to vote Dumbocrats

IUE/CWA. I don't even know the local.
It just doesn't matter to me.

$8/week.
No! No one in our shop of 30 agrees with them.

The Quote from our president to the Rep.
"You and I have a better chance of eating lunch with the Pope than
of these guys supporting that!"


2004 through blatant mismanagement we about went broke.
They sold our most profitable business line for enough cash to
survive. It was contract time, and they went for the easiest cost
cutting. Wages and benefits.

Our jobs were advertised in the surrounding newspapers, when people
inquired, they found that they were already hiring our replacements.

Before the negotiations started!

We were met at the door, handed a piece of paper showing
immediate pay cuts of over 30%, vacation cuts...

Work or quit.

They never filed bankruptcy, and refused to claim poverty
to the union. Doing so would have required opening the books
to outside auditors.

Only because of being unionized did we manage to fight and preserve
some of our livelihood. Over the last 15 years we have slowly gained
back some of what we lost.

And before blaming the union for the trouble.

We had a management to worker ratio of 1/3.
Yep. Over 30 of our 100 employees were high paid expenses.

When they were going through the books to try and work their problems out,
They found multiple products being sold at 1980's pricing.

The problems weren't on my side of the door.

I see that point, and agree the right leaning union members they don`t have control over where their money goes. I was viewing it as the right leaning employee has the choice to work elsewhere.

I was viewing it as, a right leaning union member has the choice to work for a union company or not.

I'd think that a right leaning union member has the right to work wherever he damn well pleases.........and it's none of anyone on here's business.

IBEW member here and as an electrician that works in a coal fired power plant it really pisses me off that they always endorse the Democratic party. I don’t really get much for the $1000 I spend in dues.