Posted on 11/19/2009 7:46:37 AM PST by EternalVigilance
Why do so many typical Americans hate labor unions, even here in union-dominated Massachusetts? Because of stories like this:
In pursuit of an Eagle Scout badge, Kevin Anderson, 17, has toiled for more than 200 hours hours over several weeks to clear a walking path in an east Allentown park.
Little did the do-gooder know that his altruistic act would put him in the cross hairs of the city's largest municipal union.
Nick Balzano, president of the local Service Employees International Union, told Allentown City Council Tuesday that the union is considering filing a grievance against the city for allowing Anderson to clear a 1,000-foot walking and biking path at Kimmets Lock Park.
"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the council.
Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said "there's to be no volunteers." No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path.
Look, Knuckles, it’s one a them Boy Scouts cleaning up the public trails. Don’t you think we should drive him over to Tony’s for an ice cream…in the trunk?
They gave us the outstanding workmanship of the Big Dig, and at such a reasonable cost, too! They’re running ads to protect children from those evil, over-achieving charter schools. And now they’re threatening Boy Scouts for doing community service.
Look for the union label, and if you see it—run away!
“Because it would have taken 20 workers, 5 supervisors, 6 union stewards, and enviromental study to do the same thing as this one 17 year old kid!”
Well said and True!
I belong to a union and am thoroughly disgusted by this. Really gives all union workers a bad name.
‘Listen punk, and all you other boy scouts, Conservatives, and do-gooders out there, we’re union thugs, see,...and we stand for the Global Community of Workers United,...in other words, we’re Communists! We’ve beaten up trash like you all over this country we hate! We build your cars with defects, we spit in your prepared foods, we contaminate or defect every single thing you buy in this country, and if you think we’re going to let some little puke like you take away our graft and corruption, our bribes and payoffs, our schemes and crimes, then you’ll find yourself in a 55 gallon drum floating in the meadowlands of NJ!!”
It's sorta like lawyers. 99.44% of the Union thugs are making it difficult for the 00.56% of good Union workers like yourself.
Unions are organized crime.....I hate criminals.
SEIU etc are no less a threat to this nation than the Taliban.
Like everything that is allowed to go too far, they began to believe they could use their “capital” to force people into working against their best interests. The system forced everyone into a cookie-cutter life in order to protect the power they enjoyed.
In the late 60s Americans began to realize that the Unions were no longer part of the solution, but part of the problem. Rather than exercise self-control, the Unions (now controlled by well-entrenched hierarchy) sought to protect itself. Remind you of anything? (Hint: Congress)
All things have their time in the sun, until it becomes evident they no longer benefit the life forms they were intended to protect. When the “system” becomes the master, you can kiss freedom good-bye.
Typical Americans didn't used to hate Unions. At the end of the 19th Century and the first few years of the 20th Century, Unions were the balance and checks to big business that exploited common laborers. The Unions provided training and apprenticeships and a standard of excellence, as well as safety and protections we all enjoy today.
And there's no evidence that "typical Americans" hate Unions today, either.
Some do and some don't.
The author of this article merely assumes that most do, without presenting any factual evidence to support his partisan bias.
I thought unions were o.k. until my stepfather , who owned his own business asked the Union for help to save 300+ union jobs. They were facing non-union competition that was paying minimum wage. He was losing all of his large accounts and appealed to the union for some concessions to help him keep his company . They refused. They would rather see 300 people out of work than give a little back to keep them employed. That day I lost all respect for any union. The union does not care about the workers, it only cares about itself.
I belong to a union and I hate it. Unions have become nothing more than Communist conduits. Our national union is a den of thieves, robbing us “working men” blind.
Just think of all the ACORN thugs who can be funded with their union dues.
I think the same can be said about union members.
Good points. I agree that unions had their legitimate place in the past, and may still now and in the future when conditions dictate. When employers fail to treat employees with a modicum of respect, people will organize into unions.
Some unions were a racket pretty much from the beginning, however. I was reading the other day about the history of the oil industry in Pennsylvania, having gotten interested after taking a tour down there a couple of weekends ago and noticing the oil wells dotting the countryside. Apparently in the early day of oil production the oil was transported from the wellhead to barges on the rivers and lakes by horse drawn wagon, a business which was controlled by the teamsters. It is said that it cost as much to move the oil (in 55 gallon wooden barrels, which is where that unit of measurement for oil comes from) the 5 miles to the barges as it did for the rest of the trip.
Your Dad hit the Nail on the head and the Union Analogy. works for that
The American people must want to be in unions if they had the chance, for they have been voting for union-backed candidates for generations.
Well I can only speak for the electricians. For the most part the rank and file want to do a good job, but many have been lied to for so many years that they refuse to see what the dems have turned into. They still think in terms of the democrats from before 1960 and the leadership plays into that. It's mostly the leadership that's corrupt and the workers really don't realize what their dues go to.
In my case the only reason I'm in is that being a single parent, I need the benifits they provide.
The Teamster's Union give mobsters a bad name.
Amen! At one time I was really proud that my stepfathers company belonged to the union, until he needed them, of course. How high have union dues gotten? I know that at the time he was in the union, my stepfathers company had to match the employee contribution. Is it still that way?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.