Was in the teamsters for a bit while working for UPS. This was back during the time of the strike in the 90's as a part time worker the UPs offer would have helped much more then what the union wanted. I was injured on the job ( blew out l4 & L5 disks) at 24 years old, when I went to the union the guy who couldn't even see his shoes ( ever notice that union boss couldn't ever do any of the work that the folks they represent do? ) Looked me rite in the eyes and told me to make sure my dues were up to date each month and wished me good luck dealing with the company because the union didn't involve it"s self it workers comp issues. I told him not to hold his breath waiting on my dues.

My grandfather was a sawer in the lumber mills and was never union although my uncles all were, Gpa made more then they did and his non union mill is the only one still in operation. My uncles would go on strike and loose $$ and when it was finally settled they would work the whole contract to make back the money they lost while out on strike. Could never figure out that way of thinking

I have had several friends who worked for various unions. They all had impressive collections of power tools. I am relatively certain they would not have been able to produce even one sales receipt. They were also profligate scrappers. The most egregious thing I ever saw was a truckload of new stainless flanges headed for the scrapyard.

Admittedly it is a pitifully small sample size. I am sure there are honest union members too. My observations would explain why it would cost 600 million to build a 300 million dollar hotel and why a new pickup costs as much as a house.

I worked in the construction industry 32 years as a union Ironworker. Retired comfortably with great health insurance benefits that included my wife, before I turned 58. In the unionized construction industry you soon find out if you got any sense, you show up sober, on time, and ready to work. If you aren't able to do that, then you soon find yourself unemployed. A union is only as good or strong as the members want it to be. These facts are drilled into our apprentice 's and journeyman for the reason that the contractor that you work for has to make money on the job he bid or he goes out of business. If he goes out of business,it's one less contractor you're able to go to work for. As far as the local " union bosses " go, they are elected every 3 years by the membership and make the same wages per hour as the members working in the field.
There is a big difference between unions at the local level and the particular crafts International level,that supposedly directs them what to do as far as backing a political candidate. This particular point has become very heated when the democratic candidates started leening towards restricting firearms,and illegal immigration. Our local bucked our International and would not endorse or give money to candidates that didn't support our views on these 2 subjects. To say the least, we weren't exactly the most popular kids on the block when they found out. Wonder if any of you saw the episode when sleezy Joe was sticking a finger in the construction workers chest in Michigan when he was confronted about taking people's guns. Must of been a millwright or laborer. If it had been a ironworker the fight would have been on and rightly so.
There is a big difference between construction unions and closed shop unions. Construction work is only 7% unionized in this country now days. Unionized plants probably don't represent much more than that either. The political clout they once enjoyed is long gone.
As far as a union backing a political candidate, you can suggest to a member how to vote, but that member is the only one in the polling booth at the time. Enough of this. Did you know safe drivers save 40% ?

Well said White Trash 88.

Seen many show up and end up carrying their lunchbox back out the gate for lack of performance over the years.

Lol, I've never known one "union member" who ever got gone after they got into the union for lack of performance. Heck, look at teachers lol. You and 88 have them there rose colored glasses. Bucking the international lol.

Sure dum#$ lol.

Ive never seen the union save someone job, by the time they get fired no one wants to sail with them anyway.

I share the same experience as these two.^^^

When you get it through your head that as long as the boss makes money you do too... You send non-hackers packing. You want those wages and benefits? Earn them.

Mike

Tool

On the railroad you had 120 days to prove yourself to the company before you got in the union.
During that 120 days you could be fired for any or even no reason,and the union agreed to that.
Any slackers on a section gang would be taken care of by the men on the gang.It just wasn't tolerated.You pulled your weight or you wouldnt like working there.

Great band. I really like their song 46 and 2.

I bet 88 can relate lol.

You getting enough fiber in your diet? Iol

You getting enough forced nonsense in yours, lol. Tool??? A hee hee a haw haw haw.....

Sheetmetal union. X2 what he stated

I was a Teamster before I retired. Never did much as far as I was concerned. Oh wait they gave me a fake diamond pin when I retired. I do not think that local even exists anymore.

over the years I have seen good an bad union's , I have witness first hand where a boss pick out one man an tried to make a example out of him , a good worker ,steady worker ,never cause any problem's , an if it wasn't for myself ,the man would have been fired , now my wife's union is terrible , they don't even have meeting ,the last 6 years they got a Nickle raise total

Unions like to demonize business owners. When given the chance to run a business of there own they have no clue what there doing.

One place where I worked elected me to represent the Dept.where I was stationed.The previous guy had moved and nobody wanted it,I was new and didn't want it either.When the union official started laying out the proposals for the up coming contract one of them was for the elimination of a couple of positions.He explained that the unions position was eliminating them would mean extra dollars per hour for everybody.One of those positions was mine!I listened,amazed,as he explained these jobs would probably be eliminated sooner or later anyway and the goal was to see that the money saved boosted the existing workers earnings.I couldn't believe I was paying dues for a union that was fast tracking the elimination of my job.

Now...YES. Some unions in the past...NO Unions aren't all created the same.

The worst was the Ford plant. Like Beav said..and worse.