Reply #24: Short-term vs. long-term [View All]

[Robb]

In the short term, for example:

Say there's a union that has negotiated a contract that says nope, zero overtime, pay us a living wage and we'll work 40 hours a week. Employer says fine.

All of a sudden, non-union workers say hey, we'll work overtime, we'd love the extra cash, benefits be damned... we're young, unmarried, etc.

So company re-designs budget to pay fewer workers for more hours, and less in benefits. Other companies must compete, look to non-union workers to help fill the gap.

Next step: benefits are a thing of the past. Young workers with few health bills get run hard and put away wet, look for jobs with healthcare -- and they aren't there.