At school, I read The Jungles. It was an amazing book that was eye-opening. If you have not read it, I advise you to take it and read it during the holidays.
This book showed me why there are unions. To combat the atrocities of what a large and abusive company has done to employees. From wages to working conditions, trade unions are rushing into solving problems.
The trade unions had a very important purpose. However, many have asked whether this purpose is already a thing of the past, and they are wondering whether the trade unions are not too abusive?
I know a guy who did not enter the field at the American post office. He quit his job, and the union boss drove after him, harassed him and threatened him like a madman.
What the hell is that??
I went to school with a guy who was a prison guard in Denver. He said that the union would protect other guards who come to work drunk or bloated. They would never be afraid of losing their jobs because the trade unions saved them.
What the hell??
And today we read that the Hostess says that due to unsuccessful negotiations with several unions, they will pull the plug and 18,500 people will lose their jobs.
My guess: Another company will buy all hostess assets (patents, trademarks, factories, etc.) and continue production and hire a lot of people back… But people will be hurt because two groups (hostess management and multiple unions involved) could not agree.
It sounds like the hostess said “Look, we’re hurt. We are hurt. We are not financially as good as you think. We simply cannot pay the wages you are demanding.”
And the union is probably saying “Overcome yourself. We know that you are rich and rich. We want “fair” salaries! Our trade union members are really working this!”
And the hostess probably says “The competition has taken market share and absorbed our profits. The price of goods has increased. We simply don’t have the money to cover what you’re asking for.”
And the Union says: We do not care what you say and we are not willing to deal with things. It’s all or nothing.”
And the hostess must say “Well, there is nothing to take from. We are done. We have no choice.”
Who will lose? People. What about the people who *had* pensions. If the Hostess closes, will everyone who receives them continue with these pensions or honor them? If not, have the trade unions only caused many pensioners to lose everything?
We do not need an additional 18 500 people on the streets looking for work.
Trade unions need to figure out how to stop the bullying of companies (and members and non-members). It seems that right now they are behaving like a spoiled child who demands more than his parents can give him. Perhaps the trade union should play a partnership role with society instead of playing the role of an eligible child.
But on the other hand, is it the duty of society to share the same status with trade unions that do not seem to be interested in the long-term sustainable health of society?
