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

[bozo]

VOTING INSTRUCTIONS: Either you support a right for labor unions to exist or you do not. Example: If you support NYPNU's (Nurses Union) right to exist but you oppose IBT's (International Brotherhood of Teamsters) right to exist then you would vote "I support it". If you oppose any and all forms of labor unions then you would vote "I oppose it".

If you post on this discussion, I only ask that you vote in the poll (either before or after discussion) as well so that we can see how this strong atheist community views labor unions.

Thankyou

I cannot vote.
I support labour unions where the workers have chosen to join them freely, and have the right to eject them freely.

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.