You are so right on unions. When I worked at Southwest Airlines from 1998-2002 the union contract read that you could opt out of the union but were still liable for union dues but were no longer protected by the union and since no Southwest Airlines employee could not be non-union, the union sent a letter to Southwest demanding the termination of the employee which Southwest Airlines had to abide by or face lawsuits.
When I worked at USair from 1987-1990, it was non-union but bought PSA, who was union and the union was abolished and it all went non-union and both USair and PSA employees agreed they have never been treated better by management, even if it was merely out of a fear that the union would be re-established.
Not to say there are not abuses of owners and managers who have no fear of unions, like those who work for Toyota, whether they be plant workers or dealership employees, because Toyota doesn't allow unions...They are bullies and abuse their employees. It is like a catch-22. You are damned if you work for a union and also damned if you work for a tyrant who doesn't fear unions because a union is not an option.
There needs to be oversight and accountability for greedy owners and managers who abuse their employees without the need for unions. I recently worked for a Toyota dealership as a detailer and was struggling to make my monthly bills. I developed a hernia and needed a surgery but the insurance had been so scaled back that I would have to pay a $2,000 deductible and then pay 30percent of balance which would have ended up costing me $4,000 total. I couldn't pay that but also could not continue to do my job so had to quit.....I am receiving unemployment but disability turned me down along with Medicaid so I can not afford the hernia operation and as much as I would love to go back to work, no on will hire me in my current medical condition because they don't want to touch me with a ten foot pole. What am I supposed to do when the unemployment runs out, rob banks? I am caught in a catch-22 because no side cares. I would be better off dead. God Bless America, not!!!!!!
Employees ask to be treated fairly and paid fairly/ livable wage for a days work. Nothing more, nothing less.
