elections soon

[jeffmo]

Originally Posted by tartuffe

Charlie, just curious, why do you support unions? It seems that with the creation of OSHA, EPA, and laws against discrimination based on race, sex, and AGE the unions serve as a redundant, outdated system to fall back on when the system itself fails. To ME it seems you are taking your job security away from corporate management and placing it in your union bosses hands who will determine when you will work.

With all of the money you put into savings every week, why do you not just buy stock in the company you work for? If their policies are such that you need the union to protect you from their corporate greed, you could benefit from that greed on the backside through dividends. Maybe you do now and if so it would seem you would be in a quandry with your union.

I have family that live in New Jersey and rely on the unions to put them on the docks in Philly where they haul cargo so what I know of unions is probably very different than your life's experiences so I would like to hear your side of what unions do for you.

I can't say what it's like in private sector unions because I have no experience with them.But,In the public sector,specifically the fire service, we often have a new boss every 4 years and many times those new bosses have an agenda that could be detrimental to our jobs security and safety wise.I've seen far too many instances where a new mayor THINKS he/she knows more about the job then those who have been in it for decades.The protection we get from our union isn't what alot of people think it is.If for instance a new boss tries to implement a policy that is either dangerous or against the law or a contract, the union officers will contact the person and try to talk the situation through so an understanding is hopefully reached.this is how the vast majority of our rare problems get solved.If a solution can't be reached immediately then the grievance process can begin.
When it comes to job security there is a set layoff procedure that is followed.When it comes to layoffs we have no real sayso whatsoever.All we can do at that point is to point out NFPA guidelines that deal with manning and hope they are taken seriously.

As far as who to vote for I say people should educate themselves about the candidates and make their own decision.
But,I thoroughly agree with awthacker about making bigoted remarks.