DU a poll: Should workers be able to refuse to join a workplace union?

[Omaha Steve]

Please help workers in Ohio by keeping unions strong there.

Please vote NO here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/04/hotissue_04.html

Currently YES has 80%

[WillyT]

1. Done !!! - K & R !!!

Voted NO

Comment: Only if the Union gets to refuse them the pay raises and benefits it bargains for.

:shrug:

:hi:

[KansDem]

2. My wife use to work with "parasites"

That's what we call those workers who refuse to join the union but enjoy the benefits the union provides.

She is in the KNEA and works at a college here in Kansas. Two of her colleagues refused to join the KNEA citing they didn't like unions. But when the union negotiated raises and other benefits with the administration, her two colleagues got the same package as the KNEAers.

They became known as "the parasites" in our household...

[truebrit71]

3. Yes, as long as they do NOT receive any of the union negotiated benefits.

Only seems fair, if you didn't bargain for it you don't get it...

[KansDem]

4. Not always the case...

See my post no. 2...

[du_da]

8. That seem fair

Let each individual in that situation negotiate their own salary and benefit package. Is it possible though for a individual to do that?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

15. I negotiate mine... n/t

[Common Sense Party]

19. Same here. n/t

[madmom]

This should be the ONLY tiered system there is, union and non-union.

[Richard Steele]

41. Agreed. I recently refused, and I understand that. My choice. nm

[KansasVoter]

5. Force them to join the union? How is that fair?

[truebrit71]

6. How is it fair that they benefit from union negotiations if they aren't union themselves?

Join the union, reap union benes, don't join the union, don't get union benes..seems simple to me..

[Demstud]

13. How would a partially unionized workplace work?

If you're working someplace with a union you're going to benefit from their actions, so you should pay the dues and be a member.

[Omaha Steve]

14. The Union Difference

http://www.aflcio.org/joinaunion/why/uniondifference/index.cfm

The Union Difference
Home > Join A Union > Why You Need a Union > The Union Difference

Get the facts on why

* Collective Bargaining Raises Wages—Especially for Women and People of Color
* Nonunion Worker Pay Is Significantly Lower in Nearly All Occupational Groups
* Unions Workers Have Better Health Care and Pensions
* Workers’ Incomes Are Lower in States Where Workers Don’t Have Union Rights
* Unions Are Good for Business, Productivity, and the Economy
* Unions Help Bring Low-Wage Workers Out of Poverty
* Unions Help Bring Workers Into the Middle Class

Learn more about

* Unions and Professional Workers
* Union Membership by State
* Union Membership by Occupation
* Trends in Union Membership

More

* Download a one-page flier of the “Union Advantage by the Numbers.”
* How much difference does a union make? Download a quiz and find out!
* Unions 101, a one-page “crash course” on unions.

[TexasProgresive]

16. How is it fair is they are protected and have benefits

guaranteed by a contract that came into being by the workers who have joined together and pay dues. In fact these scabs steal money and benefits right out of my pocket because their non membership hurts us at the bargaining table. -HOW IS THAT FAIR!

[KansDem]

29. "...by the workers who have joined together and pay dues"

"Pay dues"

My wife belongs to the KNEA and pays dues. Two of her colleagues didn't, claiming to dislike unions.

They received the same raises and benefits the union negotiated with the school's administrations, yet they didn't pay dues!

My wife pays about $40 a month for ten months each year to the union. That means, not only did "the parasites" get what the union members got, they got an additional $400 a year!!! :grr:

I don't know about anyone else, but I could use an additional $400 a year!

[TexasProgresive]

32. Texas is a "Right to Work" state

That's the way it is here. I pay nearly $800.00 in dues and $350 to COPE. It is well worth it. But those who reap the goods that we gain for all are really stupid if they think they are saving money. My brother-in-law makes 2 bucks more than we do because they have nearly %100 membership. That comes to about $4000.00 a year. Thanks for that parasitic scabs!

Oh and I would gladly pay $1000.00 annual dues for that kind of increase.

[Scout]

33. they can go work someplace else if they don't want to join the union. n/t

[Omaha Steve]

7. Because of federal law...

Because of federal law, all workers are covered by the contract and MUST get all the benefits even if they don't join the union.

It is state right to work laws that let them do this.

[Upton]

9. I voted YES

I just don't see why a worker shouldn't have the right to refuse to join a union..

[Scout]

34. if they don't like the union, they should work at a NON-UNION shop then....

unless they just like to reap the benefits of the union shop without any personal responsibility.

[NaturalHigh]

49. Me too.

I'm very pro-union, but I strongly disagree with forcing someone to join.

Several years ago when Oklahoma had a right-to-work vote, I voted yes.

[svsuman23]

10. while I'm pro union, shouldn't people have the right to make their own decision?

[Scout]

35. yes, they can decide to work in a non-union shop

problem solved!

:)

[Cleita]

11. No. I believe in closed shops. Open shops lose much

of their negotiating ability. As a matter of fact, if I were Queen, I would make a proclamation that all workers with a rank that is below an executive officer be required by law to belong to a union or trade guild or professional association that functions like a union and that is independent of the company or corporation they work for. The only exception would be cooperatives where the workers are also owners.

[zorahopkins]

18. Wouldn't I t Just Be Easier....

If you were Queen, wouldn't it just be easier to make a proclamation that all employers would treat ALL of their workers with dignity and respect, and that all employers would provide ALL of their workers with a living wage that was fair?

[Cleita]

43. Yes, but I might not be Queen at a future date so

I need to leave a legacy so that employers will find it harder to exploit workers when I'm not around to protect their rights.

[Common Sense Party]

12. Of course they should. Why the hell would I vote no?

[Omaha Steve]

22. "Union limit is back on GOP radar

Do you watch Fox and vote republican too?

Here is the biased story: http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/02/04/copy/union-limit-is-back-on-gop-radar.html?adsec=politics&sid=101

[Common Sense Party]

24. No one can "force" someone to do what they don't want to do.

It's that simple.

[stockholmer]

26. I agree,but didnt US government just force people to buy health insurnce from private firms in 2014?

[Omaha Steve]

44. So few people understand labor law, here is the correct answer

http://www.nrtw.org/rtws.htm

A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union. However, employees who work in the railway or airline industries are not protected by a Right to Work law, and employees who work on a federal enclave may not be.

Check the map at the link.

Click on a Right to Work state below to read that state's Right to Work law.

NOTE: State laws are in a constant state of flux. Before relying on the text of any state Right to Work statute, you should check the most recent edition of your state laws.

[stockholmer]

17. here in Sweden, it's optional, but 80% of our workforce is unionized, the US is only 12%, 7% private

Also, you get no union support or benefits if you do not join, however our basic labour laws are loads better than the USA, so even the non-union workers have more protections than even a unionized American worker, in most cases.

[Dappleganger]

21. Of course the Swedes get it right...

social democracy wins every time!

[Tace]

20. Workers SHOULD Be Able Not To Join A Union

...but they should be required to pay dues in any case.

Most of that money goes toward collective bargaining of wages, benefits, work rules, and workplace safety.

BTW, there's nothing in union contracts that stops an individual from negotiating a deal better than the union contract. The contract is just a floor for wages and benefits.

: )

[Generic Other]

23. My union lets you refuse but you must still pay dues

That's because the union includes the non-union workers in negotiated benefits.

[shanti]

46. fair share dues

which aren't much less than full share dues (maybe $5?). before i retired, i worked for the state, full share union member, but my manager never was, even when he was not a manager. never could figure out why either (he didn't share his political idealogy). he was/is a skinflint though.

[Better Believe It]

25. Workers already have that right. They can pay a "service fee" without joining the union.

There are no federal or state laws requiring workers to become members of any labor organization.

But, workers who receive wage and other benefits negotiated by a labor organization must pay a service fee to cover bargaining and other union costs associated with obtaining and enforcing those collective bargaining agreements. Most workers don't like "free loaders".

[Omaha Steve]

30. ONLY because your state has a fair share law

Most right to work for less states don't have that option. Unless your in a right to work state, you must join in closed shop states!

I'm headed out with Marta. I'll be back later this afternoon.

OS

[Omaha Steve]

31. ONLY because your state has a fair share law

Most right to work for less states don't have that option.

I'm headed out with Marta. I'll be back later this afternoon.

OS

[InvisibleTouch]

27. Of course they should be able to refuse.

What happened to the right of individual choice?

[Scout]

36. then they can refuse to join a union at a non-union shop.

simple, isn't it?

[InvisibleTouch]

37. Sure. I don't see a problem with that either. n/t

[iamtechus]

28. Research the subject carefully before making up your mind on this

Workers in RTW states make approx $5000 per year less than those in free-bargaining states.

Infant mortality is higher in RTW states than in non-rtw states.

21% fewer people are covered by health insurance in RTW states.

And on and on. Check it out before you end up voting against your best interests like so many right-wingers do.

[Honeycombe8]

38. I thought they could. Maybe they can sometimes, in some states, or with some unions?

I really don't know if they should or should not be allowed to. I don't know enough about it. I can see valid reasons for both sides of that question.

[county worker]

39. Yes they should be able to refuse to join a union.

But if they want the benefits that the union workers negotiate for they have to pay the union dues even though they are not in the union. That is the way it is were I work. I am in the SEIU but no one is forced to join, all have to pay the dues because all win the benefits when there is a negotiation.

We are always giving up something to keep layoffs to a minimum and as a non union member we are giving up things for non union member's benefit too. We are giving up raises, COLAS and now we are going to give the FICA reductions back to the county to lower the cost of retirement contributions the county has to make. We give up money for the benefit of everyone, so everyone should pay to support the union costs.

[yurbud]

40. done

[kctim]

42. Yes, of course

individual rights and all.

If unions don't like that, they can go and work for a company who also doesn't believe in individual rights.

[Bill McBlueState]

48. and if they refuse to join,

they can go work somewhere without a union. I think everyone agrees on that point; nobody should be compelled to work anywhere.

[saras]

45. It's not simple

If someone doesn't want to join a union, how is it practical to deny them any SAFETY benefits won by union negotiation? They certainly don't have a right to profit from this work without paying for it.

I can just see the new electrician...
"Well, we all need our safety suits, helmets, and fiberglass ladders. The non-union guy gets the polyester jacket and the aluminum ladder."

[Omaha Steve]

47. We flipped the #'s!

80% yes is now 34% Yes 66% No