Labor Unions - are you for or against it and why?

[A Theist]

I do not support "closed-shop" laws where you cannot work unless you belong to a labour union; I do not see the difference in a monopoly in industry to a monopoly in labour, except that industry is forced to use the union and workers are forced through extortion to pay union dues for the privilege of a job.
James.

I will explain why I support the idea of a closed-shop. There is no half-way position on trade unionism, as far as I am concerned. There is no point in a union existing if it is not STRONG. Some employers welcome unions, as long as they " act responsibly " and that means, by implication, they do as the employer pleases. Strength comes from unity, the workers acting as one to defend and improve if possible their terms and conditions of employment. Thus, wherever possible, once a union has recognition in an organisation, usually because a majority of the workers want one, the ultimate aim should be for the union to enjoy 100% membership. In days gone by when unions were stronger than they are today, the closed-shop operated and was successful in making gains for the workers. Unfortunately, since the 1980's onwards, the idea of collectivism has been overtaken by individualism, looking out for number 1, and the big winner has been the employer.

"Unfortunately, since the 1980's onwards, the idea of collectivism has been overtaken by individualism, looking out for number 1, and the big winner has been the employer."
Some time ago I led a union organizing effort at a place where I worked. One of the biggest obstacles I ran into was worker apathy. These people would continually b*tch and moan everyday about the way they were treated by management, but when one of us would approach them, and tell them that we could effect change by voting in a union they would respond with indifference saying that things would never change. They even refused to read any literature that informed them of their federal legal rights to organize a union and how unions could change their lives for the better. But, they continued to b*tch. Later, the management took away a lot of their vacation time and sick days...and they b*tched some more but put forth no effort to fight back. I don't feel sorry for these people, especially when the options are available to change their conditions. If they want to live in the squalor of apathy and not take responsibility to improve their lives, more power to them but as far as I'm concerned they have no right to b*tch! Throughout the organizing process workers who signed cards or who were just seen talking to me were interogated and harrassed by managers, and told to stay away from me. I was followed around everyday by managers and threatend by anti union co-workers. On one ocassion a co-worker threatened to kill me if I brought a union in. I reported the incident to a shift manager. He responded that people threaten to kill someone every day but don't really mean it. This was documented and witnessed. The begining of change can't be negotiated...it must fought for. Change is not content in the squalor of apathy. I'm a proud supporter of the AFL-CIO / RWDSU!