In defense of unions

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Just so there's no misunderstanding, lemme state at the beginning:

The DOT at work. Again.

1) I despise unions.

2) I support the right of workers to form unions.

There is no contradiction.

"I disagree with what you have to say but will fight to the death to protect your right to say it."

There's WHOLE 'nother blog in that one (which I may write today and keep on file for a day when I'm coming up blank).

Unions, as I have opined in the pas, bear some responsibility for the continued slide down of American productivity, sending jobs overseas and etc etc etc. But not all. The bulk of the responsibility rests squarely on the head of the average American who refuses to support the American economy, instead buying stuff imported from other countries.

Government work.

Anyway. It'll be no surprise to many that I object strenuously to  the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

"Now the NLRB plans to rewrite the rules for union elections in a way that further strengthens the hand of the unions and undermines the freedom of employers to keep from having collective-bargaining contracts imposed on them against their will." http://sroblog.com/2011/06/22/nlrb-runaway-agency-national-review-online/

In other words, government is again dictating how you, me and the guy across the street watching you with binoculars can run a business. Most of the people reading my musing have never owned or run a business and been responsible for employees. I have. I know. Once you try to start, run and maintain a small business with employees, your attitude will change if you don't already agree with me.

Why should government dictate how I run my life? If I have a small business, which I depend on for my income, pay my bills, taxes, feed my kids, etc, then my small business is me. It is a major part of my life. I again ask: Why should government dictate how I run my life?

Canya see it yet? Ok good. I'ma let go now...

A brief story - Growing up in Colquitt County GA, we had a metal fabrication plant in Moultrie. I spent a day working there as part of a school work-familiarization program. Some of the workers told me if they went on strike, they'd just lose their jobs. Low and no-skilled labor is easy to come by.

Is this right? Wrong? Before you answer that, answer this - How many time have to signed paychecks and handed them out to a waiting line of employees? You answer to THAT question will determine your answer to the prior two.

 Lemme ask you this. Does a business have the right to dictate to its employees? Trick question. The answer is "it depends." When a person is on the job, yes the business has the right to dictate to employees. It's called giving orders. "You do this." If you don't do "this" you get fired. A business cannot dictate an employee's choice of religion or restrict freedom of speech when off the job.

Freedom ain't free.

Sophomoric.

Can a business refuse to let employees form a union?

The First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

People clearly have the right to form unions. They also have the right to know they can do so. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0811/62121.html

Lemme interject here - not all unions are bad. Those which agitate for the safety of ALL workers are good. Safety in the workplace is a good thing. Unfortunately, most unions today are about getting more money, protecting a select few union members, ignoring the rank and file and abusing non union members.

But most unions, from everything I see, are little more than legally sanctioned organized groups of business and industry terrorists, except they are too blind to see the people they are most damaging in the long run is everyone, including themselves.

There is the real problem. When a union's actions affect me, against my will, I have little to no recourse. But if my actions affect a union against the union's will, the union can come after me with a legal version of nuclear weapons.

Is this fair? Is this just? Is this parity?