[Billy_bob_bob]

I've noticed an interesting trend here. When people go to criticize the $100 million mansions of crooked CEO's and CFO's then the routine response is "you're just jealous". When people go to criticize the incomes of the union dockworkers then people refer to the dockworkers in ways that imply that they are worthless greedy pigs, such as "$120k isn't enough, whine whine whine". It's not just you, there are many who have made similar comments.

What I'm confused about is why the argument "you're just jealous" applies to the incomes of crooked CEO's and CFO's, yet it doesn't apply to the incomes of dockworkers. If the argument about CEO incomes is commonly accepted on FreeRepublic, then why can't I reply to your comment "Oh, you're just jealous"?

I've seen some comment about how doctors in California only make $40-$50k a year, yet these dockworkers make $120k a year. Maybe the problem is that the doctors are underpaid? I know that I wouldn't go to college for eight years, then have to spend more years as an intern, working twenty hours days week after week, all for 40 or 50k a year in a state where a starter home costs $300k or more. Forget that.

Might I offer one thought? The historical fact is that these dockworkers FOUGHT for their union, they had actual battles with strikebreakers and thugs where real people died. After the dust settled they worked out something that gave them some real wealth in return for their labor. In other words, they staked out a claim, fought for it, and have reaped the rewards. Isn't that a large part of what being an American is all about?

[Poohbah]

When people go to criticize the $100 million mansions of crooked CEO's and CFO's then the routine response is "you're just jealous".

Never heard that said about crooked CEOs or CFOs.

As for the union, try doing something that displeases the ILWA sometime, and let us know how long you're still breathing afterwards.

[Doctor Stochastic]

The companies locked out the unions; the government is forcing the companies to hire the locked out employees for 80 days (or whatever); US farmers can export the produce; big gains all around.

[steveegg]

The key difference is that companies can struggle on with a new CEO when the old one decides he wants more money than the company is willing/able to pay. With the power of the union to prevent any replacement of them outside of an actual strike (and no permanent replacements in the event of a strike), and the strong-arm tactics you have just glorified (INCLUDING murder), most companies can't long survive when their union decides it wants more money than the company is willing/able to pay.

The fact that these union thugs decided that they would abuse their unique protection under the law and slow things down on the docks so much that the dock owners decided that nothing would be lost by shutting down the docks entirely demonstrates a union that is out of control.

[Mo1]

Might I offer one thought? The historical fact is that these dockworkers FOUGHT for their union, they had actual battles with strikebreakers and thugs where real people died.

Might I offer a thought .. The problem today with Unions and the Unions of yester year is they lost track of what they were fighting for and got too political

My beef is not with Union Workers, They are just hard working folks like you or I and wanting to bring home a paycheck

My beef is with the Union BOSSES who wouldn't think twice of bringing this country down to her knees ..which may explain why these Union BOSSES always back Democrats

As for those CEO's I don't give a hoot how much they make, but if they ripp off investers and break the law .. I want to see a perp walk

[Sender]

What exactly do these "dock workers" do for $120K a year? This sounds like a dream job. Where do I sign up? I'm tired of struggling along helping to save lives for half that. I'll load them apples and Barbie dolls, sir!

[etabeta]

interesting bio on Harry Bridges, founder of the union can be found through Google. regards

[RobRoy]

>>Isn't that a large part of what being an American is all about? <<

No.

People should get paid for the value they give to society. What I say to young people today is that in the future they will never be more than the "working poor" unless they can say one of the following things: 1) I own my own business; or 2) You cannot teach someone else my job in less than a month. Thats the problem the dockworkers will eventually have. That's why Unions are collapsing. They were usefull when strugling for "fair." They no longer serve that purpose.

They're becoming Ludites...

[TexasCajun]

$100,000/yr union dock worker

Higher union wages is what has sent all the steel mills and textile mills overseas.

Next we will see these carriers off-loading in Mexico and putting the freight on rails or semi's headed north on the NAFTA Highway. Then we'll see crocodile tears from the unions crybabies.

And what high-tech technology are they whining about??? ...barcodes!! can you believe that?

[jiggyboy]

Being An American is about abhorring socialism and racketeering, which is purely and simply what modern union function has become. It's well and good to speak with one voice to your employer, but when that voice can't come to an agreement and the employer is not free to pick another supplier (of labor), that's just plain wrong.

[gueroloco]

Well said!