Originally Posted by lazeelink

I am a second generation member of organized construction union labor. I served as Vice President and on the Executive board, finance and negotiating committees in a 17 year span as an officer of my local. I still carry a book (union card) into retirement, so I do have background in this subject.

The days of Jimmy Hoffa and strong arm characters saying things like “you’se guys” are a thing of the past. Hoffa was corrupt and a rogue but has zero bearing on the overall organized labor movement. Strikers with clubs beating sweat shop owners senseless and vice versa are also history.

Union meetings are run following parliamentary procedure. Simple votes are taken by a show of hands but controversial matters are by secret ballot. ANY union member can request a secret ballot on any issue brought to a vote. It is highly unlikely a rank and file member will let legislation like what has been discussed become reality at the local level, no matter what national organizers propose. It goes against all the rank and file stands for. I agree with Number 6 – Obama won’t endorse legislation that opposes the secret ballot process.

It is easy to blame unions for the ills of business and corporate failures. After all, a union member with a whopping $50k a year salary, pension and health benefits – an excess of wealth showered upon a mere worker! When an economy flounders and a product such as a new auto is not in demand the very first reaction is to blame labor. They have GOT to be at fault. But there are always two sides to every story. Mismanaged corporations and excesses also play a part in their struggles. Fear and greed are the enemies of all.

I remember watching a late night talk show years ago, and Barry Goldwater was one of the guests. He talked about a plumber coming to his home and said he was charged $25 an hour (remember, this was years past). He went on to say that NO plumber is worth $25 an hour. This from a man who was at that time making a high 5 figure salary from his senate position alone. It pretty much sums up the way some feel about labor, especially if they are organized.

The idea of taking away the secret ballot when voting on union representation is comparable to the constant claim by the NRA that candidate so and so is going to take away our guns and Second Amendment rights. It is just political banter that never materializes. “You’se guys” need not worry – this just ain’t gonna happen.