[Dog Gone]

I completely agree with your assessment of the past role of unions. While they were often corrupt and had broad objectionable political agendas, they were instrumental in bringing reform to a capitalist system that had little oversight by the government.

Today they exist primarily because of past power grabs, and to perpetuate the corruption and political agenda.

[summer]

they were instrumental in bringing reform to a capitalist system that had little oversight by the government.

Now the question is: Who is providing "oversight" for the union? And, who decided this guy's salary should be twice as much as the FL governor's salary? I don't understand how the rank and file just sat back and let it happen in the first place.

In addition, AP recently ran an article about a "secret slush fund" of more than half a million dollars that Tornillo was keeping for his own retirement, and the retirement of other higher-ups in the union. It sounds like Watergate or something.

[FreePaul]

My father started working for a major steel company at the start of the twentieth century. He worked in the office rather than in the mill. He told stories about the way workers were treated that made a good case for unions to get started. My earliest recollections of my father's relationship with unions was the constant fighting with them to keep them from taking over the management function without assuming any responsibility. The pendulum had swung strongly in favor of unions.

While unions started off in this country to improve working conditions they have become nothing more than political tools and means for funneling money from the workers to the fat cat union officials. Anyone who complains puts their livelihood and their life in jeopardy.