[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by smokeonthewater

I make a little less money than the non union pipeline operators but I get health insurance and am vested for a pension after only 5 years although it would be a small one if I didn't work any more after that. I for one feel that HUGE taxes on imported goods would fix the problem.

That must be a local kind of thing. I can tell you first hand that union workers (carpenters, plumbers, ironworkers, electricians, etc) in the tri-state area make (on average) a third to twice more than what a non-union worker makes. All our state contracts must go to union workers because their pay is considered the "prevailing wage" specified in state contracts. Even though we could (for example) pave our streets for a third less than what we are paying we are forced to pay the higher wage. (And in the process the non-union contractor and his workers are forced out of putting in a bid since the workers are not getting the "prevailing wage"). Unions are in bed with the government and vice versa.. That's why they want to maintain the status quo.

Gotta disagree with you on the huge tax increase on imported goods thing. Like any other expense, the additional cost would only be passed along to the consumer, and, at the same time, the governments of the imported makers would raise their own taffifs against American goods, so our manufacturers would not realize any additional sales.

And like you, I've been on both sides of the curtain as a union and a non-union worker. I feel that if a person wants to be in a union then more power to them, but, if a person doesn't want to be in a union then they should also be allowed to work without any penalties placed against them. Everyone should have the right to work as they want.