National Right to Work President Mark Mix has a column appearing in newspapers across the country in which he explains that this Labor Day, as union bosses attempt to amass more and more power over American workers, it's important to remember what the holiday is really about.
Labor Day is a celebration of the efforts of America’s workers. However, the celebration is hollow for millions of American workers because of compulsory unionism.
Throughout the United States, over 12 million workers labor under contracts that require them to be a member of, or financially support, a union as a condition of employment.
Additionally, millions of more workers are required by law to accept union bosses’ so-called “representation,” thereby losing the right to negotiate their own employment terms.
Big Labor thrives on this system of government-granted special privileges based on coercion. Compulsory unionism makes union bosses more unaccountable to rank-and-file workers, as their financial support is absolutely mandatory.
This arrangement breeds union boss corruption, extravagance, and abuse.
Despite the “feel-good” rhetoric about standing up for workers’ rights, union bosses commonly target independent-minded workers who stand up to them and exercise their individual rights. Such retaliation often takes the form of harassment, firings, and even violence.
...
This Labor Day, big labor bosses will dish out their usual Labor Day propaganda about how awful our lives would supposedly be without them. The reality is that millions of workers and indeed our economy are continuing to suffer greatly under the scourge of compulsory unionism.
Yet, there are signs that folks are realizing the truth: cooperation is a healthy alternative to compulsion and is the best way to enhance individual liberty while achieving economic progress and raising workers’ living standards.
Labor Day should be about honoring the hardworking Americans who make our country’s economy prosper — not union bosses who rely on forced unionism privileges for personal and political gain.
Read the full column here.
Comments
How unions keep lost worker benefits
In NJ, there are many labor unions.
I am not familiar with many of them.
I am somewhat familiar with the Heavy & General Laborers Union.
Something very interesting that not many people know about is how much the union takes from the wage of a union worker. Right now it is about 40% of the prevailing wage, which is about $50.00, that goes to the union to cover the various benefits, pension and dues.
What is really amazing is the fact that if a union worker does not work enough hours, they either don't have, or lose their benefits. That's right, they lose their health insurance, they have no pension. In order for a worker to be eligible to have benefits, they have to work 1,000 hours in a year. In order to have a vested pension, a union employee needs to have 10 years of that.
There are many, many union laborers who do not get 1,000 hours a year. Bye-bye benefits. Pension - uh, no pension. And if the union contractor does not pay the dues, the employee does not get his/her benefits. How bout that?
What happens to all that money? Maybe NJ Senate head Steve Sweeney can answer that. Steve also gets paid well as a Ironworkers Rep.
Working History
Unions built this country, read your history books people. When the steel mills in Pennsylvania were going strong in the 1800's workers were working 12-14 hours a day with no overtime. They were getting hurt, maimed and wounded at work with no workers compensation. The employers didn't care there were always more workers to replace them. It was only when they refused to work and wanted 8 hour days, living wages and they stood together in solidarity. That is what makes Unions Strong when workers have had enough and stand together, the same goes in the Union. If the BS gets too thick, everyone stands together and works the way through it.
Non Union employers don't care about their workers, just the ultimate profit they can make off of them. Most don't even offer health care benefits to their workers because they don't want to lose their profit margin. I cannot believe this web site is even around. What a crock of shit they are feeding the people who read this crap. Do the History Report and you will see who made the 8 hour work day and 40 hour work week.
Thank a Union Brother for this otherwise you would be working 80-90 hours a week for a loaf of bread and bologna. Why do you think that companies have moved their manufacturing plants to China or Mexico, the workers will do the work for 1/4 of what the Americans will and guess what? No EPA to keep the environment clean, NO OSHA to keep workers safe, just endless supply of workers. Once they use them up they just get more, it is pathetic. Then they try to tell you Unions are bad, get with it people, Unions are here to help. Collective Barganing is where it starts to get a wage that is livable, healthcare that is affordable and 40 hours a week.
Haha...I got half way
Haha...I got half way through your comment before I realized that it wasn't mockery. I thought it was starting another article about the crazy things union supporters believe, and I thought it was going to switch over and end the simple-minded party-line talking points by explaining why each point was ridiculous. Then I realized that this was a comment, and the person actually believes that stuff. Wow. I'm gonna start a church, and a union, and a get-rich-quick pyramid scheme if there are really people like that. Not.
Labor Day
Somebody needs to put a leash on Obama, Pelosi, Reid and labor unions before they destroy the Democratic party. Their agenda may sell in Chicago, Detroit or San Francisco, but most Americans are centrists and no where near as liberal as these guys. Where is Sam Nunn when we need him. Disheatertened Dem.
union healthcare
I hope any of you who may be union members will remember how great you think it is to be in a union when those union bosses dump you all into the public healthcare option. Maybe you'll get lucky and your dues will go down...or not.
How do you sleep at night
How do you sleep at night while spreading such dishonest pap? The only reason we have Labor Day as a holiday is because of the heroic efforts of union members. Read your history.
Unions and healthcare
I hope any of you who may be union members will remember how great you think it is to be in a union when those union bosses dump you all into the public healthcare option. Maybe you'll get lucky and your dues will go down...or not.
The Only Reason?
Union Members are indeed heros, Colin. They are working on the front lines ensuring revenue, both for management and for union coffiers. But in my experience Union Bosses and Staffers are SO incredibly skilled at intimidation, coersion, and just flat out lying to the heroic laborers that make up their membership that I get angry at the thought of Labor Dy as a celebration of Union Heirarchy.
Today I am working, as are many of my co-workers and others in my industry that are covered by Union Contracts. The Union office is closed today, as is the health clinic we are paying for, and all other services. About 90% of management gets the day off... 100% of the union bosses and staffers get the day off. Hmm... who's celebrating my hard work today?
Are you kidding Me Colin???
Let me give you a real example of what we got, and thanks to our Union: 1. An annual raise much later (but the same 2%) than non-bargaining unit employees. 2. An increase in our mileage reimbursement (the same increase as all non-bargaining unit employees), beginning much later than non-bargaining unit employees. 3. A cost of $60,000 (to maintain a previous health plan only for bargaining-unit employees) to our non-profit agency because the Union would not agree on a health plan that was better and cheaper, which led to higher premiums for it's members (as a result of poor negotiations). 4. Union members are paying 6% more for their health insurance premiums (even with the new insurance plan) than their non-union counterparts. 5. The union locked in annual raises for the next 2 years at a mere 2%, and no raise in year #3. 6. Oh, and on top of it all, this Union wants us to pay union dues or be fired. I'm sorry, but I will not pay for a service that fails me at every corner. Would you buy a Lemon if you knew it was a Lemon? Then why would anyone pay dues for a union that is unable to put a simple thought/sentance together except when it comes to lies, deceit and corruption. Hardly seems like the American Way to many of us. For the next 3 years, I'll be making less because of the Union's inability to negotiate. I am all for people being able to make the choice to be part of a union if they wish. I would rather not and that's why I am making a change by getting involved in the NRTW campaign to make every State a "Right to Work" State. No one should be forced to participate in something they do not believe it. It's called choice; a basic human right. No offense meant Colin, but I'd sleep better at night if the Union that "represents" me was gone. I'd get much more without them. And I think we are smart enough to know that "Representation" and "Job Security" are just key words and empty promises these idiots use to keep their members blinded. Just my two cents. Today is Labor Day and tomorrow I can go back to work and let my voice be heard all because of what the NRTW has done and is doing. I can make things very difficult for the union but there really is little that they can do to me. It has become my passion to make people aware of their rights as forced union members. The message will get out in time.
Unions
The workers in the REPUBLIC of the United States of America are sincerely honored for making this Country a great nation! The current Labor Unions exist for self gratification and personal financial wealth! Don't kid yourself the members of unions are brain washed to believe they are being taken care of...over 36 years of service I paid as a Union member $345,600.00. When the Company [who The Department of Labor allowed to use/drain our pension funds in the mid 80's] the union wasn't there to help us...we were ignored while the union turned against us and testified in court against the labor force and up-held the Company!
Unions aren't there for you...they are there for themselves!
Right to Work and get rid of the Dictators in the UNIONS
I don't understand that no one remembers how the Unions put many out of business in the 70's and I hope to say you remember Hoffa and his Thugs and the Mafia involvement to the point of Grand Jury endictments for many things like money laundering and foreign enemy support! Also Bobby and JFK are rolling in their graves right about now to see this is going on! Sure the individuals that are Union make a handsome salary with benefits but what about the rest of us? What are we to become like the Japanese with the 30 year contracts that we cannot hope to get ahead ever, for there is not enough jobs to go around, so we need free enterpise no matter what! To Unionize this country in the way they want is to place us right into Marxism and Communism, that is the facts, you can forget your raises as well, that will all change! For these dictators are not going to do a repeat of the Hoffa era they have a design all of their own, no more American Dream or do you forget the Foreclosures and all the people out of work, and the 12 million illegals we are supporting that they will put to work in place of us for they will kiss their butts for allowing them the opportunity to stay here and get ahead and a 10 dollar an hour job they will be satisfied with for they never got 10 dollars a week where they came from ever! So you are sorely mistaken when you think your Union is loyal to you! They are not loyal and they kill people as well! Look what they did to Hoffa and Bobby Kennedy, they have working towards this day for many years, this is their final comeback from the ashes like the Phoenix with a vengence so get prepared for plenty of fights! When they put some illegal that they make a citizen say from Ghana in your place! Why have you when they can have 3 to take your place at the same cost! And don't forget Public Option health care, when they get you into the worst system of all worse than HMO, you will not have a choice either believe it!
healthcare and unions
I do not wish to contribute to unions. Healthcare should be left up to individuals not the government.
James Hoffa
The same James Hoffa Jr who now has a lot to say about Obamacare?
We now live in a country controlled by thugs.