In March of 2015, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker finally addressed something that really needs national attention.
Unions have overstayed their welcome in America, and especially within the public sector.
Once upon a time, unions served a purpose. Between 1932 and 1954, union membership in America grew from serving 7.7% to nearly 35% of the workforce.
Back in the day, unions fought for the rights of employees who were taken advantage of by their employers. There were terrible work conditions, and people were overworked and underpaid.
But, today employers are under the microscope of the Department of Labor addressing Equal Opportunity Employment, sexual harassment claims, wage and hour requirements, child labor, and anything that violates the rights of workers. In addition, workplace health and safety has been addressed by OSHA and other industry specific governmental oversight agencies. So, there are many federal agencies that work on behalf of protecting the rights of employees.
Tell me why unions still serve a purpose.
Maybe unions still exist because union bosses like to make in excess of $600,000 a year. What many union workers fail to recognize is that they could be taking home more net pay instead of union leadership deducting those fees from their compensation.
The Rust Belt
Unions can be blamed for the state of The Rust Belt of America. They drove up wages to the level at which America’s workforce priced themselves out of the global market. Essentially, the companies sending jobs to China and Mexico wouldn’t have even considered those options if their unions hadn’t expected more and more. Yes, there is still a demand for steel manufacturing, but America has lost a foothold on their market share in that industry. According to the World Steel Association, in 2015, China produced over 803 million metric tons of steel, while the U.S. only produced 78 million metric tons of steel.
While American consumers continue to demand better quality at a lower price with fair weather brand loyalty, manufacturing anything in America cannot not sustain and compete with foreign competitors due to the imposition of union demands.
Unions promote mediocrity. Why work harder when everyone receives the same pay raise and benefits, regardless of performance? A realtor once told me that the world would be a kinder place if everyone had to work on commission.
Government unions drive up our taxes
We as taxpayers are paying the wages of union bosses. Every penny of every paycheck of every government employee comes out of the pockets of taxpayers.
Unions drive up wages to unreasonable compensation levels. Why does a Certified Nursing Assistant working for a local assisted living center make $12 per hour while a federal employee doing the exact same job makes over $25 per hour?
They are doing the exact same job, but pay in the private sector is half the wage. Some might say that the private sector should pay more, but the reality is that the private sector operates within the means of their fiscal responsibilities. The public sector raises wages on the backs of taxpayers. The private sector cannot simply decide they want to collect more money from anybody. They have to earn it, and do so in a competitive marketplace.
To me, getting a government job is like winning the lottery. You receive prevailing wages, and outstanding health insurance and pension benefits. Plus, government jobs are usually very stable.
Government employees have it better than those in the private sector, so why do they need unions? As unions drive up the wages and benefits of government workers, they are also driving up our taxes.
The end of unions
When union workers brag about making $75,000 per year changing light bulbs at Ford, GM, or Chrysler auto manufacturing plants in America, there’s obviously a lack of understanding of how unreasonable the value proposition of that position is to the sustainability of that company. You can brag all the way to the bank with union support until your company can no longer stay afloat. In the end, that’s a lose-lose deal!
While Trump may talk big about bringing jobs back to America, it won’t happen as long as unions stand in the way of progress. Union demands drove jobs out of this country. Good luck getting them back!
From npr.org, click here to view
50 Years Of Shrinking Union Membership, In One Map
Anonymous says
Bullying unions… lose…
http://www.hrmorning.com/verdict-gives-employers-blueprint-to-sue-bullying-unions/
Jason Sethre says
February 6, 2017
http://fillmorecountyjournal.com/one-moment-please-im-sorry/
One Moment, Please…
I’m sorry
by Jason Sethre
First, thank you to Jerry Grehl and Jack Bratrud for their thoughtful perspectives offered on the Commentary pages of the January 30, 2017 issue of the Fillmore County Journal. Both of these local readers put me in my place, and I consider this a good thing.
Based on the response from my original opinion piece about unions, I came to several realizations.
We have very passionate readers.
After the January 23, 2017 issue of the Fillmore County Journal arrived in more than 13,500 mailboxes throughout the region, I started to receive feedback.
There were some locals from Chatfield, Harmony, Lanesboro, Preston, Fountain, Rushford, and Spring Valley who said I hit the nail on the head. And, then a few local union workers took to Facebook to share their dismay.
And, then I learned that what I had published had traveled far beyond our little corner of Southeast Minnesota.
I started receiving private Facebook messages, e-mails, and online comments on http://www.fillmorecountyjournal.com from upset union workers from Chicago, Minneapolis, Kasson, Elgin, Rochester, and Lincoln, Nebr. – just to name a few.
This feedback and many others helped me come to the conclusion that I was wrong. The fact that these union workers and union supporters felt incensed enough to contact me with their concerns made me think about what I had done to them to cause such consternation. My words hurt. I don’t blame them for being upset.
Essentially, as I see it now, I assailed the foundation of their livelihood. These men and women proudly work at their jobs to earn a living to take care of their families. In retrospect, as I attempt to put myself in their shoes, my commentary challenged the stability of their life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.
As I reflect, what bothers me most about this entire situation is how I was adding to the polarization of our society. On a daily basis, politicians on both sides of the aisle along with our national media keep that polarization front and center, which perpetuates the demise of our social decency. It’s not healthy for mankind.
The American Middle Class
As I was fielding these unfavorable responses, I started to experience what I can only describe as a Bernie Sanders moment. Why are we – the Middle Class – tearing each other apart?
I started to think about how the majority of us in Fillmore County make up of the Middle Class. And, there is nothing constructive about any of us knocking each other down for our career contributions to society.
If we are bothered by the state of our nation’s socio-economic affairs, should we be looking at the elite puppet masters of this entire establishment?
Should we question why the CEO of Walmart makes 1,133 times more than the median worker total pay of his company? In 2014, the CEO C. Douglas McMillon made $25,592,938 while his employees averaged $22,591 that same year. When we spend money for products and services, what and who are we supporting?
This presents another reason to buy local right here in these small towns as much as possible.
According to a May 11, 2016, Pew Research Center analysis, the Middle Class median household income in America was defined in 2014 as a range of $42,000 to $125,000.
In Fillmore County (Minn.), according to the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2015, the median household income was $53,889.
Yes, the majority of Fillmore County is a part of the struggling Lower Middle Class – hovering in the lower 14th percentile of the Middle Class.
The Game of Life
The Game of Life, a household favorite for many, is not too far off from reality.
We choose a career path, and sometimes change our careers a few times throughout our lives. Some of us get married, have children, raise a family, and hope to retire with something.
Just like in the board game, we select career cards and in some cases deal with the cards we are dealt. Our lives come with struggles that hopefully make us wiser and stronger.
Union or non-union, we are teachers, police officers, construction workers, accountants, tellers, clerks, hairstylists, retailers, salespeople, mechanics, plumbers, electricians, postal mail carriers, artists, waitresses, nurses, pastors, farmers, and countless other occupations.
Every job is important or it wouldn’t exist. Each of us chooses a career path that we hopefully enjoy and this provides us with an income that also hopefully supports our personal objectives in life.
We are all in this game of life together.
My apology…
I sincerely apologize to Jerry Grehl, Jack Bratrud, Jim Westby, Carl Westby, and any other union workers or supporters whom I offended, near and far. Just be glad you are not related to me and don’t have to listen to my political wisdom after a few beers at a Thanksgiving family gathering.
With that said, I especially apologize to my father (retired after nearly 40 years as a union worker, a Teamster, and shop steward), and my sister (currently a union worker).
In the newspaper business, when we make a mistake, the printed word is published and shared with more people than we can ever imagine.
I hope this apology finds anyone who read and was bothered by my original commentary published on January 23, 2017.
I’m not infallible. I am human, and not a perfect one at that.
Again, my apologies to any union workers and their families.
Anonymous says
After this article the fillmore county journal doesn’t have to worry about me putting anything in their paper.
As a small business owner I rely on my husbands insurance (a union worker). If I didn’t have that I would not be able to have a small business.
You might want to do a little more research before you publish.
Anonymous says
http://www.nytimes.com/1987/06/02/nyregion/ex-teamster-chief-tells-jury-mafia-controls-union-leaders.html
Dee Slinde, Lanesboro, MN says
My experiences with, and observations of unions are quite different from what you have expressed in your recent opinion piece, “Unions are like expired sour cream.”
I grew up in Austin MN, in the idyllic “Leave it to Beaver” times before the P-9 Union strike at Hormel Corporation in 1985. The community was pretty stable, many folks had a parent that worked at Hormel, and the other parent may have worked part time at some business that was somehow dependent on the blue collar/middle income Hormel workers spreading those union wages throughout the community to car dealerships (my mom), trash removal companies (my dad), grocery stores, and so on. Everybody was doing okay in spite of the 1977 wage freeze Hormel imposed on the workers.
The trouble came when Hormel asked the workers to take a 23% cut in their wages. Mind you, it wasn’t because Hormel wasn’t profitable at the time – they were then, and still are highly profitable now, however a decision was made to jump on board with the concessions movement during the Reagan years. That plan was to break the unions to increase corporate profits by lowering employee wages and benefits. It broke the town, and to this day, it has not fully recovered. The Reagan Concessions Movement obviously worked, and continues to work even today when articles such as your opinion piece are published without providing differing perspectives.
One paragraph from your piece in particular I find a bit bothersome: “Back in the day, unions fought for the rights of employees who were being taken advantage of by their employers. There were terrible work conditions, and people were overworked and underpaid.” I feel like there are a lot of supporters (and non-supporters, for that matter) of President Trump that feel that way right now. So if, per your own statements, unions fight for the rights of employees who are being taken advantage of, etc., why would we NOT want them involved in our current economic/employment situation?
You also mention unions being the ruination of the Rust Belt. I don’t subscribe to that philosophy much either, Stronger unions could have been able to lobby more effectively to government in making it less favorable for companies to move operations and jobs overseas, just as President Trump is trying to do now. The other, probably more serious death knell for the rust belt had to do with having a whole lot of jobs in industries that technology left behind.
I am going to voice my outright irritation with your statement that “Unions promote mediocrity.” Union firefighters, police, medical workers, teachers, and a boatload of others that I know personally and respect in our communities are absolutely NOT mediocre, and are in fact amazing individuals that go well above and beyond in the work they do. Generalized statements such as those are biased and are clearly unworthy of promotion by the publisher of this paper.
The one thing we may agree on is that Mr. Trump does “talk big about bringing jobs back to America.” Union elevator operator jobs have given way to automated push-button panels. Even the best union can’t stop the advancement of new technology, but they can work with that company to get the workers retrained on new technology and new jobs. That’s what unions have always done and still do. Protect the interests of workers.
Thomas E. H. says
This is a fantastic piece, Dee, thank you for being so articulate and straight-forward. This is something I personally would like to see in the physical newspaper as I feel it will reach more readers.
Thank you again.
Don Sp6 says
If it wasn’t for Union wages the price of labor would be nearly nothing I enjoy 40 hour work weeks benefits for my family and being able to retire at a decent age I get no sick days,holidays,or personal days off with pay you get paid for the hours you work.No work no pay We may get good pay but we work for it. Proud member of local 669 previously local 676 Sprinkler fitters .American by birth Union by choice. Union Strong
Floyd B. Turbo says
I am starting to think Jason and Col. Stan might actually be the same person. Think about it, have you ever seen them both at the same time at the same place? Maybe we need them both to make an appearance together and have them say “Get off my lawn” to prove or disprove this hypothesis.
Quintin W. says
Wow. What a truly uneducated opinion on Unions. For one person to write such a article is crazy. I’m just trying to figure out why.
Why is it that you have a right to belittle the career choices of union members?
Are you jealous of the union lifestyle?
If you are not happy with your wages and benefits, fight for them. Don’t take mine.
I find this article so out of place in small county paper. Does the writer not know the values that union employment brings to the communities of Fillmore County. I don’t have numbers or the resources to get but I would imagine that union employees bring 10-20 million dollars of wages home to Fillmore county each year. That’s right “home”, to the communities these members live in, school their children, buy items from merchants (who hopefully are reluctant now to pay for ads in such a biased paper) and pay taxes.
As far as Scott Walker and his union bashing in Wisconsin, that is already rearing its ugly head. Recently Wisconsin senate had to take action to reduce the qualifications for elementary level educators. That should benefit students. As well as a the mass exit of college professors that have already left. Sounds like a great state to be educated in. While here in Minnesota our union supporting Governor has called for spending increases for education and more early childhood education.
I’ve been a dues paying member of IBEW Local 343 since November 2000. Being a union member has given me a great career. Taught me a skilled trade. Allowed me to be an involved member of my community. America needs unions now just as much as ever. We need to stand up to corporate America and fight together to save the middle class. The heart and soul of this great country depends Unions.
Anonymous says
Wow. This author has zero clue. Unions are very important to certain jobs. Taking them away from teachers, postal workers, laborers would weaken that workforce drastically.
Chad Katzung says
Jason
As the Business Manager of IBEW Local 343 I would love to have you stop by our state accredited training center and show you what we do, and all the training we provide. We currently train 163 apprentices. We provide all the training for free to the apprentice and also secure them full time employment with full family health insurance the entire time they are going through the 5 year program. At the end of the 5 year training program they are a state licensed electrician. All of this, at no expense to the tax payers. We not only train apprentices, we also provide continuing education to all 950 of our member. Again at no cost to tax payers. We pay for all our training without a single penny from the state or federal government.
So please consider my offer so I can show you around. Not alot of people know what we do. I look forward to opportunities like this, to help educate.
I will be in touch.
Chris Huskisson says
My favorite part is that private sector operates within the means of their fiscal responsibility. Laughable, they drive wages down for profit mongering executives, shareholders and owners.
If the UAW drove wages so high and it can be done cheaper; why do foreign cars cost more? Where are their profits headed? Who will drive the economy when no one can afford the product. The union keeps business owners profitable or there would not be one. I am a Local 669 Road Sprinkler Fitter, I would invite you to any job I am on and show you how the professionals do it. Mediocre workers get weeded out and eventually go non union. It’s been proving in skilled trades time and time again we are better trained, safer, quicker and under budget on more jobs, much more often than our non union counterparts. As far as paying dues, I get more back than I pay in. Good luck blowing that smoke up someone else’s rear end. Indianapolis, IN
Anonymous says
http://www.msnbc.com/morning-joe/watch/union-leaders-extremely-encouraged-by-trump-862295619874
Union employee says
You obviously know nothing about unions, maybe you should do some research before writing such an informative article!
Anonymous says
You brainwashed piece of shit
Anonymous says
What experiences have you had with unions? Are you against liveable wages and Heath Insurance? Do you not support the members of this community? You clearly have no idea what benefits you have personally received from men and women in this community. Your ridiculous opinions are not welcome and your articles clearly are not worth reading. Call U-Haul if you think living in Wisconsin would serve you better…..
Anonymous says
Goods point…..I would be more the.n happy to move him to Wisconsin
Anonymous says
Reading this article is much like drinking sour milk….. makes me want to gag. Your lack of understanding regarding Unions proves you are not a credible author. You clearly have not done any substantial research on the topic. Stop by your Local Union Hall. Shadow for a few days. You have spent a few minutes writing this article from your cozy desk or even your couch. You have minimized the commitment of workers who work in difficult, stressful conditions. Typing Your random thoughts at a computer does not give you the credentials to criticize highly skilled workers who are dedicated to their professions.
Anonymous says
This article is a huge insult to the teachers, policemen, tradesmen and all union workers. You have a very biased opinion on unions!
Have you belonged to a union before?
Anonymous says
https://midwestepi.org/2016/08/16/unionized-construction-workers-get-back-5-59-for-every-dollar-paid-in-dues/