VW actually wants to unionize its American factory; Republicans freak out.

[Patroklos]

Is this your first time interacting with Oerdin?

He probably also doesn't know closed shops are not allowed in Germany either, making any and all comparison between unionization there and in the US useless. This was mentioned in the article too, but that hasn't stopped him.

[Felch]

It's not in most states and this is a law peculiar to that state.

I'm not claiming expertise here, but the NYT article you cited in the OP tells a different story:

The U.A.W. said it would welcome a works council, but said that it would be legal only if a majority of workers had opted for a union. And many labor experts agree.

“If the company set up a representation system like that, a union would challenge it and they could probably win their argument that it’s a company-dominated union,” said Richard Hurd, a professor of industrial and labor relations at Cornell University. Such a union set up by the company would violate American labor law, he said.

So, yeah, if the UAW actually respected how VW wants to run things, they'd drop this archaic fixture of US law. Something tells me the union bosses have different priorities.

[Sava]

hahah those dreaded "union bosses"

Aside from Jimmy Hoffa, can you even name a "union boss"?

"Union bosses" has got to be the most idiotic bull**** boogeyman.

[Felch]

Off the top of my head, Doug Prouty is head of the teacher's union here in Montgomery County. The Washington Post recently criticized his union for shaking down political candidates.

[Sava]

Off the top of my head, Doug Prouty is head of the teacher's union here in Montgomery County. The Washington Post recently criticized his union for shaking down political candidates.

OMFG

You mean... an organization will offer support to candidates who support them?

HOLY ****

THATS WORSER THAN THE HOLOCAST

[Felch]

You asked me to name a union boss and I did.

[Sava]

You asked me to name a union boss and I did.

Yes. You did.

[DinoDoc]

Aside from Jimmy Hoffa, can you even name a "union boss"?

Richard Trunka.

[Ban Kenobi]

hahah those dreaded "union bosses"

Aside from Jimmy Hoffa, can you even name a "union boss"?

"Union bosses" has got to be the most idiotic bull**** boogeyman.

You know they're just going to use Google, right?

[Sava]

You know they're just going to use Google, right?

I'd be more disturbed if they could name a whole bunch without Googling.

It's more or less an exercise in identifying brain-damaged individuals. Unions are extremely benign entities. Aside from corporate execs, only mental defectives would be threatened by unions... or think unions are bad.

[Felch]

I actually know Mr. Prouty. He taught English at my high school, and his wife was a professor when I went to UMBC.

[Sava]

I actually know Mr. Prouty. He taught English at my high school, and his wife was a professor when I went to UMBC.

So you have first hand experience with this... monster!

[Felch]

Yeah. I don't think union bosses are monsters, I just think that they have different priorities from the rank and file. Union bosses are interested in protecting the institution of the union, and if the union members happen to benefit, that's just a bonus. It's just in the nature of institutions. It's why police cover up beatings, it's why bishops cover up sexual abuse, and it's why politicians never actually get serious about reform. Once you're deeply invested in the status quo your priority becomes preserving the status quo.

[Sava]

Union bosses are interested in protecting the institution of the union,

The "institution" of the union is its members.

[-Jrabbit]

Yeah, but once you're at the top of it, it becomes your job. Self-interest demands that keeping the gig (and maximizing your take) take priority over matters of principle, except insofar as they help with said keeping of the job. Power corrupts, and unions are not immune.