I have actually been a union member -- because when living in Pennsylvania at the time, one has no choice in the matter. It wasn't and still isn't a Right to Work state. So I have direct experience with the evils of unionism. But I ultimately won by busting the evil union and their gang of lowlife goons. Among the more significant moments of my long life (70+ years) are when I led a successful rebellion to oust a private sector union in the Big Labor stronghold of Western Pennsylvania more than 30 years ago.
After the decertification election, when the union was ousted from our company, profits improved and management was able to rightsize the staff. The harsh adversarial relationship between we workers and the bosses vanished. Additionally, the burdensome work regulations that actually were detrimental to the employees were eliminated. For example, the minimum turnaround time rule was tossed, allowing those of us who desired to work additional hours with some nice, healthy paychecks. We also had the freedom to work holidays which had previously been prohibited by the union.
The deadwood was eliminated. Over a period of months, just about all of those who voted in favor of unionism during the decertification election were fired. I'll confess to taking real glee when a 25-year vet of the company was dismissed. He was a bad seed from the get-to, a featherbedder who thought tenure and seniority were his protection. When I engaged in the action to bust the union, this hateful creep uttered these words: "I was here when you got here and I'll be here when you leave". The Na-Na-Hey-Hey-Goodbye song was popular around that time and we who were loyal to the American spirit of free enterprise gave that union goon a serenade as he slinked out the door for good. This guy and his fellow unionistas were real communist sympathizers since they favored collectivism.
Well, I have to respect your age and your experience. Thanks for that account. I still disagree with you.
Thank you for recounting that. It says much more than my links.
It should also be said that many businesses (jobs) leave the country because of union dictates (as well as EPA controls and corporate taxes).
Of course the bottom line is, that the country and the economy suffer, costs go up and it is we who pay (in employment and at the cash register).
Awesome story and why FReepers are an impressive lot. America isn’t going to be ‘saved’ by some hero, it’ll be thousands of people just like you that will turn this country around... or not.