Value of unions :-)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.thestarpress.com/article/20110402/OPINION03/104020311/1002/On-record/Value-unions?odyssey=nav|head

6:49 PM, Apr. 1, 2011 |

Written by
A. HUGH JONES
Muncie

In Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania and a host of other states including Indiana, Republican politicians and the corporate interests who own their souls are trying once again to destroy the few remaining effective labor unions.

Their so-called "right-to-work" propaganda has eaten away public support for labor organizations in the same way the Colorado River over the ages has cut the Grand Canyon.

But here are some of the consequences as revealed by a study conducted by the Urban Economic Development Center and written in a New York Times article by Karen Garcia: "In one week 26 percent (of workers surveyed) were paid less than minimum wage; 73 percent were denied overtime compensation for extra hours worked; 19 percent were not paid at all for extra work; 17 percent were required under threat of dismissal to work 'off the clock' for no pay at all; 18 percent were denied meal breaks; 11 percent suffered mealtime interruptions by employers or supervisors; 12 percent worked through their meal breaks; 4 percent were paid late; 57 percent got no pay stubs, and 20 percent had their pay illegally docked."

These are just some of the ways in which employees not protected by strong unions can be and are abused by their bosses.

Garcia goes on to say, "Forget the president, forget the state and national governments. The only people willing to stand up for poor people are their fellows."

Remember this the next time you get a chance to vote.

[Sherman A1]

1. In a perfect world - Unions

only function would be to plan the annual picnic or softball tournament. Because Ownership & Management would be perfectly fair & treat their people properly, respectfully & provide decent wages & benefits.

We however, do not life in a perfect world, hence the need for workers to organize & protect themselves from the excesses or potential excesses of their employers in this new Gilded Age.

[pacalo]

2. K&R.