Chrysler to rehire drunks

[layoutshooter]

Yes, you're right LOS. Wrong things happen.
The teamsters in Vegas are a pretty shady bunch.
The drunk steward may have kept his job in a civil service situation and in other non- union jobs.
He should have been fired. The union was wrong if the facts are as presented.
My point is all unions aren't bad. Bad unions are bad.

I come from a union family. Unions today are not what they were when miners were trying to stay alive.

I have been trying to find that story on the internet but it is an old story. The death took place back in the '90's, I THINK it was '98 or '99. I can only remember the first name of the man who was killed, it was Jeff. I did not work with him often but I remember what a nice young man he was. I don't remember the stewards name.

He was killed on US 422 where it passes through Moraine State Park, near Butler PA. His work truck was in the median strip. A wide grass median. The steward fell asleep at the wheel, ran off the road and hit Jeff. Jeff was standing against the work truck getting out a tool when he was hit. They estimated the speed of the pick up, another park vehicle, at over 40MPH.

That accident is just ONE of the reasons I no longer take union jobs. The idea that I am REQUIRED to join an organization that I don't agree with 90% of their views is just wrong. There is no freedom in it. They don't support candidates that believe in freedom. My dues were used, against my will, to support those I don't support. As long as those things are going on I will avoid them like poison ivy.

 

[xiggi]

Why is joining a union anti-freedom ?
A union is a business. If that business( the union) made Chrysler a job you want, why can't they be compensated for their effort,
You have the freedom to work at the seven-eleven if that's you choice.

And should they also be compensated for helping drive Chrysler and GM to bankruptcy? The idea that a person should be forced to join a union to work somewhere is a revolting notion. Seems like the union at GM was very well compensated during the bailout as they are now a large owner of GM.

Sent from my Fisher Price ABC123 via EO Forums

 

[zorry]

The agreements that GM gave the union drove them to brankruptcy.
Also, I don't know enough about the whole deal, but I kinda of wondered if GM saw an oppurtunity and played us ?
I'll never really know,nor do I care. I have no respect for the UAW or the Steel Workers. They didn't walk in and threaten to burn the place down. They negotiated. Once they got the upper hand things got put of control.
They should have never got the upper hand.
The union started asking for things. They never should have got to the point of demanding things.

 

[zorry]

Xiggi,Unions are a business. They need to take in money to cover their costs. Wanting their benefits,w/o compensating them, is akin to saying you should haul freight for someone for free.
Do people think they exist as an activist group ? To help the common man ?
No ! They want to make money ! Often there is greed, corruption,etc. things have gotten out of hand. Often the wolf is watching the henhouse.
Unfortunately, an idea that could be a benefit to the working man has failed to live up to it's potential.
Without unions, wouldn't there be more of a sweatshop mentality in this country ?

 

[zorry]

I've never voted the union line.
I've never felt I was forced to pay dues. It was always a trade-off for better pay and benefits.
If I were to leave expediting and needed to work, my first two job apps would be to a non-union company that pays above average, has good equipment, treats their employees well, and has good equipment. I know of two. They don't need to be unionized.
In '95 a friend applied to Conway. He said the pay was about $1400 per week. Very close to Roadway pay . Why ? To keep the union out. Their costs were lower due to more company friendly work rules.
They are not on my list of two choices. I guess they would be my third.
I've always believed in working for a living. Doesn't matter if it's a union shop or not. If you show up and work, and the company is reasonable and fair, you don't need to have protection,
The worst company I ever worked for was Roadway. Lousy management after "the old man" died.
Guess it was good "in the day."
Schneider was Union before the kid came home from college and wanted it all. I was an O/O in a doublebreasted terminal.

 

[cheri1122]

The problem isn't unions. The problem is companies that don't keep the unions in check.

It's pretty hard to keep the unions in check when the company hasn't been able to keep it's management in check, giving the unions a lot of leverage. And proof when the company says "We can't afford that" that they are lying.

My family owned various trucking concerns over a 50 year or so period.
The most profitable one was union. My father was there almost every day( at least an hr in the morning and evening during golf season). He had very loyal emloyees. He treated them very well.
He never signed a contract that was bad for the company.

Because he was never forced to do so, by his own greed, as the other managers have been. He did it the right way, and his workers recognize [and appreciate] that.
Load One's John Elliot inspires the same respect and loyalty, and THAT'S how to get rid of unions, lol.

 

[zorry]

Fedex Freight seems to have it figured out,too. I leased to Watkins for awhile, which is now Fedex Frt.
I've talked to some very happy drivers there.
It's nice to pull into a large terminal where the employees are generally smiling.

 

[zorry]

Cheri, I've never compared my father to John, but you're right,
I take it as a compliment.
You've got to admire a guy that cares enough to do things right.