Are these unions bad?

[Anonymous]

Lots of talk about unions on this forum. What do you all think of private companies that unionized such as Verizon with CWA unions? Good? Bad? Pointless?

[Anonymous]

Okay, I'll bite. I understand what unions did for our country. I also understand the needs for certain unions (carpenters, electricians, HVAC, plumbers, etc.) I think it's great to have a group of skilled workers with a specialized trade and to push them to further their education while helping them find jobs.

When it comes to private companies that have unionized over the years (such as Verizon), I completely disagree with it. I think that a lot of those workers are undereducated and are doing menial work for a premium wage. Hire some recent college grads to do this work. They are probably more educated, more business savvy, and have stronger interpersonal skills and a better work ethic because they are hungry for a paycheck. Paying someone $70k per year who has the brains of a McDonald's cashier isn't healthy for our economy.

[Anonymous]

Especially with the recent CWA strikes. Who the hell are you to go on strike and disrupt Verizon's business because your cheap, lazy asses want to continue to refuse to pay healthcare costs. You don't want Verizon to get rid of the archaic pension model because a 401k simply isn't good enough for you. Verizon landlines will soon be obsolete, if they aren't already. These people are lucky to still be employed, especially in such a turbulent economy. Be thankful you have a job.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay, I'll bite. I understand what unions did for our country. I also understand the needs for certain unions (carpenters, electricians, HVAC, plumbers, etc.) I think it's great to have a group of skilled workers with a specialized trade and to push them to further their education while helping them find jobs.

When it comes to private companies that have unionized over the years (such as Verizon), I completely disagree with it. I think that a lot of those workers are undereducated and are doing menial work for a premium wage. Hire some recent college grads to do this work. They are probably more educated, more business savvy, and have stronger interpersonal skills and a better work ethic because they are hungry for a paycheck. Paying someone $70k per year who has the brains of a McDonald's cashier isn't healthy for our economy.

Why not? Isn't it enough that these people do work that is valued, and they then have enough money to raise a family? Their children can then go on to be CEOs, etc.

[Anonymous]

It's unbelievable to me how many people jump to the defense of poor defenseless corporations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Especially with the recent CWA strikes. Who the hell are you to go on strike and disrupt Verizon's business because your cheap, lazy asses want to continue to refuse to pay healthcare costs. You don't want Verizon to get rid of the archaic pension model because a 401k simply isn't good enough for you. Verizon landlines will soon be obsolete, if they aren't already. These people are lucky to still be employed, especially in such a turbulent economy. Be thankful you have a job.

You are misinformed.

http://techcrunch.com/2012/10/18/verizon-reports-q3-2012-results-29b-in-revenue-earnings-of-56-per-share-1-5m-new-postpaid-wireless-subscribers/

[Anonymous]

Verizon treats union workers much better than their management. The insurance provided is Cadillac. The unions are vicious when they go on strike. They get in management's faces and are dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Ever seen the movie "Matewan?"

[Anonymous]

If Verizon didn't have a union, many of these people who are currently working for them would be unemployed. They may not be stupid, but a lot of them certainly have no concept of reality. Reality is not making $70k/year for doing minimal work. Most of them don't have college degrees. Most of them have been working with Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic. All these people know is how to be selfish. Verizon is a private company. The goal of a private company is to make money, not protect its workforce. This is why private companies shouldn't (and in the future, won't) turn to unionization.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Verizon didn't have a union, many of these people who are currently working for them would be unemployed. They may not be stupid, but a lot of them certainly have no concept of reality. Reality is not making $70k/year for doing minimal work. Most of them don't have college degrees. Most of them have been working with Verizon since it was Bell Atlantic. All these people know is how to be selfish. Verizon is a private company. The goal of a private company is to make money, not protect its workforce. This is why private companies shouldn't (and in the future, won't) turn to unionization.

So Verizon busts the union and all of these people become unemployed...and then what? They die in the streets as an example to others?

[Anonymous]

No because, thanks to their insanely huge pension plans, they can probably afford to retire early.

[Anonymous]

No because, thanks to their insanely huge pension plans, they can probably afford to retire early.

+1000

[Anonymous]

So, it is jealousy that makes you resent their success? Or just good old fashioned class-ism? I don't understand begrudging a group of people their success when it costs you nothing.

[Anonymous]

Success and gravy train are two different concepts.

[Anonymous]

When it costs us nothing? Okay, lets have Verizon bust the union and then see if prices go up or down for the consumer.