Mom Says,Eat Your Veggies—and Join a Union(BARF ALERT!)

AFL-CIO ^ | 6/11/2012 | Barbara Doherty

[mdittmar]

It’s a fact: If you’re a union member you have better wages, benefits and working conditions—along with a voice at work. But a new Duke University study suggests that labor unions also are good for your health.

The research finds that more unionized U.S. workers consider themselves healthy than do their nonunion counterparts, an indication that membership is good for the body as well as the paycheck, said David Brady, a Duke sociology professor and co-author of the study.

We can say that not only are unions better for your wages, they’re good for your health.

The study found that 85 percent of union workers reported being in good health, compared with 82 percent of nonunion workers. In real numbers, that 3 percent gap represents 3.7 million American workers.

“Three percent may not seem like a lot,” said Megan Reynolds, a Duke doctoral student and lead author of the study.

But when you start looking at the number of workers in the United States, that’s a lot of people.

I’m no expert, but here’s a stab at the underlying reasons: a better paycheck and benefits help hold off the anxiety that comes with trying to pay rent and feed a family on basement-level wages. Decent employer-paid health insurance means you’re seeing the doctor when needed. Paid vacation means your body and soul are getting a rest now and then. Grievance procedures and increased job security help you breathe a bit easier.

The Duke study appears in the latest issue of “Social Forces” and examines survey results of more than 11,000 full-time workers, both union and nonunion, who answered questions about their general health. The data is from the General Social Survey, a massive effort of the National Opinion Research Center providing more than three decades of data.

Brady and Reynolds culled the data to compare workers with largely similar characteristics aside from their union membership. They believe this is the first study to do so and illustrates that union membership is another factor—like age, education level and marital status—that affects a person’s health.

[mdittmar]

The unions are getting desperate,they see their power slipping away.

[Olog-hai]

Union officials and college professors . . . a veritable smorgasbord of leftism.

[fhayek]

It’s a fact: Unions ultimately destroy every business/industry that they get their claws into.

[mountainlion]

I was a union member when George Bush was against the traitor John Kerry. They had no reason listed to vote for George Bush but only reasons for voting for Kerry. I felt betrayed by my Union and decided to resist.

[gatechie]

They”say” they are healthy. That means nothing.

[cardinal4]

Duane Wuerth of ALPA endorsed Kerry in 2004. When pilots paid dues in 2003-2004, part of that money went for gin soaked raisins, buying counter stories to the Swiftboats, and encouraging the likes of Dan Rather.
At the time I honestly believed ALPA was different than the others..

[Biggirl]

Have they not learned from what happened in WI last week?

[mdittmar]

I work with union members everyday,had some beers with some of them,they are always shocked when I tell them I get 7 weeks paid vacation a year,401k,full health benefits.

Life is good when your non-union.

[I am bigjohn]

Are these the same union employees who keep getting caught drinking alcohol and smoking dope during their lunch breaks?

[Psycho_Bunny]

“The research finds that more unionized U.S. workers consider themselves healthy than do their nonunion counterparts, “

More “research” that amounts to “making shit up as we go along”...

[Carriage Hill]

True. I don’t ever remember seeing a starving, unemployed, deprived union thug/goon.

[Tamar1973]

...more unionized U.S. workers consider themselves healthy than do their nonunion counterparts...

Delusional talk is certainly a strong union talking point.

Look at these svelte, healthy women, right? I want to take health advise from these women. /sarc

[Tzimisce]

Mom’s today say “abort, abort, abort”. :)

[BigBobber]

The study found that 85 percent of union workers reported being in good health, compared with 82 percent of nonunion workers. In real numbers, that 3 percent gap represents 3.7 million American workers.

“Three percent may not seem like a lot,” said Megan Reynolds, a Duke doctoral student and lead author of the study.

OMG! I thought Duke was supposed to be a premier university. A PhD from that institution is like a certificate from the jelly-of-the-month club!

[SampleMan]

It’s a fact: If you’re a union member you have better wages, benefits and working conditions—along with a voice at work.

But the Left says the the rich (1%) get paid better and can afford better healthcare, so are union members the 1%?

[mdittmar]

This is why I like FR,Smart people here.

[Boogieman]

I’ll join a union. The Taxpayers’ Union, Local #1. If the government doesn’t meet our demands, we’ll go on strike, and they can scrounge up their revenue somewhere else. How does that sound?

[Boogieman]

I get 401k, healthcare, and a few other benefits too. 7 weeks vacation though? I get 3, and that’s only after putting in 10 years on the job. Either you work in France, have like 50 years seniority, or your boss is a saint!

[mdittmar]

15 years,I unload Trucks.

[Gay State Conservative]

Most of the union punks *I* see are so damn fat that they can barely stand up.But that’s not a problem for them...it’s not as if they intend to expend any energy at work.