UAW Pushes To Organize Kentucky Toyota Plant

Really? So you don't use ANY products with steel made by the unions such as the United Steelworkers union? You can't, tell me you don't use any of the other products/services that members of unions such as the Steelworkers union help produce? I don't see where its possible to boycott products made by unions, that is a retarded statement.

FYI, they're not just associated with steel, union members work in industries that produce plastics, other metals, oil, etc.

— CrunkieBrewster (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 11:24:59 AM | | Votes: -2   

http://www.uswa.org/usw/program/content/index.php

— CrunkieBrewster (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 11:25:50 AM | | Votes: 0   

If something is made by union workers I can't find an alternative, then I'll buy it, but I do not support todays unions.

I boycott them!

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 11:36:04 AM | | Votes: 2   

I can see why you would boycott unions; as I think a lot of unions are crooks. However, I think the real issue is ... If companies would treat their employee's fairly and ethically in regards to raises, benefits, OT, etc, etc ... then there would be no need for unions. Most companies don't ... so maybe you should boycott the companies that don't treat the employee's right that are the cause of the unions.

— CrunkieBrewster (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 11:56:52 AM | | Votes: 2   

Dont give me that employee treatment crap. If the employees worked like they should, then there would be reason to pay them more. As it stands, the same or better quality work can be got in other countries for pennies on the dollar. Union workers should feel privileged that they have jobs at all. Perhaps they should start to show that they're worth better pay.

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 3:49:33 PM | | Votes: 2   

Threepoint1415926, you're a moron. You don't think these people who are union members work hard? Who do you think loads your packages in 90 degree weather into Hot UPS trucks? Union workers do, you can't tell me loading packages (large and small) for 8 hours a day in the Summer isn't working hard. Large companies will take advantage of their employee's any chance they get, thats why there are unions ... not because people don't work hard. How would you like work 30 years in a factory or any job, and one day the company announces they're getting rid of your pension because its costing the company too much money. Now you've lost 50% or more of your retirement, and there is nothing you can do about. People join unions because they don't want things like that to happen to them. Don't try to pull, oh companies don't do that ... if they didn't there would be no need for things like the Pension Protection Act.

http://www.dol.gov/EBSA/pensionreform.html

— CrunkieBrewster (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 6:32:33 PM | | Votes: 0   

I'm such a moron in fact that I decided not to work in a factory for 30 years and instead get a math degree which provides me an opportunity to work a job which cant be exported for pennies on the dollar. Absolutely nothing says that a company should look out for anything other than profits. Unions are not profitable and the work that union labor does can be had for CHEAP! Unions dont exist to protect jobs, if they did, then the companies these union employees worked for wouldn't be going out of business, paying for overly high wages in the world market and heath care for life plans that are costing billions. It's this kind of crap that helps puts companies out of business and lots of UAW members are going to learn this the hard way. If these guys know what's best for them, they'll gladly except lower pay and cut pensions to keep their job or loose everything. Speaking of, pensions are FREE money and anyone who's a MORON enough to depend on the good word of a corporation to give them FREE money for doing nothing after they leave is just nuts! I sure as hell believe a big company will leave its employees out on their ass should they deem it cost effective. Every person on the planet should believe so. Hence, employees should show their worth and give a good financial reason for their employment instead of complaining that they get paid better than every other worker in the world.

— Threepoint1415926 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/31/2007 7:49:40 PM | | Votes: 2   

It may even the playing field for the big 3, but it doesn't help the American labor market as it may turn production away from the US, again.

— kart1 (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 11:47:23 PM | | Votes: 1   

I agree with your statements. I don't support unions, nor am I part of a union. However, in some cases they warrant their existence. So I guess you could say, they have their pro's and con's.

As far as union in the oil industry ... from the USW site ...

*The USW represents over 30,000 oil workers in the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean, including 4,300 at BP’s refineries in Carson, California; Toledo, Ohio; Whiting, Indiana and Texas City, Texas.

— CrunkieBrewster (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 7:11:33 PM | | Votes: 1   

I did not know about the USW and BP. That is interesting. I will say that when I think of "oil industry" I default to thinking upstream which is where all of the people I really know are. Refining is a downstream process and those of us on the upstream side do get paid better.

Significantly better in fact. I think I remember Exxon hiring Bachelor's Ddegree Chemical Engineers here for around $60,000 / year, while Petroleum Engineers which are upstream start at around $80,000 / year as I recall. I admit my school is not average. In fact, my department, the Department of Petroleum Engineering, a year ago set a national record for hihgest average starting salaries ever for a 4 year degree. It may not be MIT, but it isn't called "The Harvard of Engineering" for nothing. Most people hav probably never even heard of it. That was a bit off topic...

I understand what you are saying, thanks for the info.

— cdoke (View Profile)

Posted on 5/29/2007 7:30:56 PM | | Votes: 1