Have I mentioned that I Hate Unions?

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Asher
Yes.

And how did you know, did I tell you before?

And more importantly, why do you remember?

You mentioned it in some thread at some point. I know some other people who used to live there, so that's probably why I remembered.

[Cort Haus]

Originally posted by Asher
You walk 12-13km a day total.

This would be walking 30km a day just to get to work.

And are you aware of the climate of Canada?

When you said

Biking 15km per day is not at all practical for me.

, that sounded like the total. I suppose that's the price for living out in the 'burbs and at the tender mercy of the evil transport workers.

What is the temperature there at the moment, anyway? If it was that cold I'm surprised you didn't use ice as a reason not to cycle. Surely the cold would help with the sweat problem, anyway.

[Asher]

Right now it's 6C, which isn't too bad.

But it's snowy and miserable here quite frequently. Especially in the winter.

[Patroklos]

Only still open, IIRC, because there was a political uproar when they tried to close it.

I think what really saved it was the need to have two nuclear capable shipyards of some form.

The Newpot News unions have thankfully been curbed recently. I think they saw the writing on the wall. Lucky for them the US was going to keep some major shipyard around for military purposes regardless, so they were spared the complete destuction that the steel industry suffered through union stupidity.

[MrFun]

Originally posted by Asher
Even in this case?

For shame, MrFun.

Abuses of power by some unions does not lead me to conclude that all unions are worthless. Just as Republicans do not renounce their whole party for example, because some Republicans are corrupt and spineless.

[Asher]

How boring.

Unions serve a purpose sometimes. In this case they do not.

How dare you thumb up blatant abuses.

[MrFun]

The day that wages catch up with costs of living for millions of workers and when executives and management treat workers more fairly will be the day when the world will no longer need unions.

Often, the same people like you who go on about abuses of power by unions are peculiarly silent when there's a chance to express outrage over abuses of power by executives and management.

[Asher]

Not true at all. Enron and Carly Fiorina bothered me, as does Steve Jobs.

And I'm glad you admit the purpose of unions is to extort money, and not to provide safe work environments at reasonable wages.

[Wezil]

Originally posted by Kidicious
Luckily I have a car now.

What did you get?

[chequita guevara]

If it weren't for unions, we'd still be living in 3rd world squalor, and unions are the only thing keeping us from going back.

[CrONoS]

Originally posted by chegitz guevara
and unions are the only thing keeping us from going back.

are you serious, or just overly excited?

[CrONoS]

didn't read the thread... but unions were useful when there was a lot of industry and manufacture employing a lot of people and low-skilled workers.

Negotiation with one organization can be a lot more efficient than negotiating with 1000 individuals.

During my studies, my teachers pointed out some countries which was very unionized (like Sweden) and has a high level of productivity. Which could be caused by the fact, that if unions wants more benefits for their members, they need to increase the productivity of the society as a whole and not just grab a part of the resources of the nation to increase the wealth of their members.

see: The Logic of Collective Action: Public Goods and the Theory of Groups

[chequita guevara]

Originally posted by CrONoS


are you serious, or just overly excited?

Serious.

[Asher]

che, sometimes you're funnier than Wiglaf.

[Cort Haus]

I certainly agree with Che on the first point. Unions have played a vital role in bringing millions of people out of poverty.

Unfortunately history shows that whoever has the power has the ability to misuse it. This dispute may be such an example, if the workers are already well paid and had a fair offer.