Unionization/Collective Bargaining would be simpler and easier if it didn't involve dues.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Why do labor unions need dues in this day and age? Digital communication is instant and virtually face to face. It's not like union officials NEED to travel First Class or stay in 5-star hotels in order to negotiate our best interests in this time of instant communication.

Approach a business you wish to unionize and tell its employees "this won't cost you a dime in dues EVER" and it would be MUCH easier to bring them into the collective bargaining fold.

The whole issue of union corruption could be put to bed by telling prospective members that no money would ever be deducted from their paychecks in return for collective bargaining.

Lots of us are struggling, and pinching pennies until they scream. Because of that, lots of potential union members are loathe to contribute their hard earned dollars to political candidates or causes they wouldn't normally contribute to, which is a sticking point when it comes to unionization.

What if they DIDN'T have money deducted from their paychecks in return for unionization?

What if they were asked to contribute a "ONE TIME" fee that would be used to fund online union efforts?

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. So unions should operate for free?

That's insane.

For the umpteenth time, unions dues are not used for political donations. Its ILLEGAL.

[murielm99]

3. Where does the money come from for political

donations?

This is not smartass...I really want to know.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Voluntary donations from members.

[Rincewind]

9. Money for donations

comes from voluntary contributions from members, and fund raisers. That's how my union does it. They hold golf outings,and fishing tournaments.

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. Voluntary donations by Members

PACs have a firewall when it comes to accounting.

[JVS]

2. What a stupid idea.

Who pays for the negotiators without dues? Who pays the organizers? Who pays the lawyers who process grievances? How are you going to send out strike pay without dues? If anything unions should work on commission and take a bigger chunk of the gains they win.

[proud2BlibKansan]

5. Every time our union calls our lawyers it's several hundred dollars

I'll call on Monday and tell the lawyers they need to be working for free.

[Angry Dragon]

6. Well take some steps further

why pay politicians??
why pay ceos??

[JVS]

7. Why pay workers?

Union issue solved

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. You do realize that even in the modern age

There are certain office expenses you cannot avoid, right? I mean silly shit like pens, paper, and all that crap right?

Yup the stupid.

[Rincewind]

10. There is also the office

expense of, well, having an office. To say nothing of paying a secretary, and someone to clean the office, utilities, and stuff like that.

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. Yup

there is that.

[LooseWilly]

12. Shopping and renting would also be simpler if neither involved payment...

You want that car?... Here're the keys, have a nice day :)

You like the apartment, here're the keys, let me know if you need me to do any maintenance. Have a good day :)

Union dues don't just pay for phone calls... there needs to be someone to make those calls— and you sure as shit aren't gonna find a fellow employee to do all the organizing and phone calling in his/her spare time after work for free... and if you're unionizing you wouldn't want them to have to do it for free, either.

I'm kind of confused about what you think a union is... and does.

[Ikonoklast]

14. Let's see...5 star hotels, check. First class air fare...check.

Union corruption, check.

I think you made your point.

Good for you, good for you.

Oh, and you are completely clueless when it comes to union dues, and how they are spent.

But you got some very good right-wing talking points out there.

[MADem]

15. To pay the leadership, to operate the union halls, to do the mailings, to run the offices, to pay

for travel of union reps, to pay for legal retainers....that's just the top layer.

Join the union--or don't. No one has a gun to your head.

[Douglas Carpenter]

16. you forgot this icon...

:sarcasm:

Yeah, I know it is a bit of a pain to constantly have to explain to people that your were trying to be ironic. But unfortunately there are a lot of people here who have no sense of humor and who would actually take you seriously. Don't feel bad, it's happened to me several times that I would post things just as obviously absurd as this and low and behold some naive souls would actually think I was serious.

[applegrove]

17. Sounds like a GOP talking point.