Comments on: Labor council endorses Corbett for Cedar Rapids mayor

By: basketcase

basketcase — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:48:53 +0000

You have the opportunity to explain to me how union workers can benefit if the business doesn't benefit. I'm all ears.

By: 96Bravo

96Bravo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:22:02 +0000

Well Brian you are heading into the home stretch this weekend, and like the old saying goes – Run like you are twenty points down………….

Because in this case it's probably true. PS Maybe it was not such a good idea to have the Flood Recovery Manager cross a union picket line/protest before his little publicity stunt & swim at the Ellis Pool.

By: Watcher444

Watcher444 — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 02:19:54 +0000

I like Corbett because he isn't Fagan. I have already seen what Fagan will do which is next to nothing for Cedar Rapids.

But I am here to talk about the fallacy of unions. Unions have some mythical status as fighters for the common man. Unions stand against THE MAN. Like most American myths like the best education, healthcare, etc it is exactly that a myth.

We need unions because we can't trust the guy next to us. A union doesn't force the boss to do anything it forces the guy next to you who moans and gripes about conditions to actually stand up with you when you walk out and doesn't wimp out when crunch time comes.

It isn't about getting paid what you deserve. Its about getting paid what you can force the employer to pay and keeping other competent workers willing to do the same quality work at a more competitive price out of the market. But who really pays? The consumer. That's why everything costs what it does. People making $60 an hour to do work a monkey could do isn't fair labor its creating a middle class that everyone else has to pay for right along with the wealthy class they pay for.

So let's get off the moral bandwagon about unions. Its just another myth that most people aren't smart enough to figure out the logical fallacy of.

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:03:04 +0000

Your right. There would be winners with Mr Corbett. Some more so than most others I suspect.

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:53:09 +0000

Is someone marginalizeing the purpose of the Union here? Just questioning how wise it is for the leadership of an organization whose purpose is to support labor, to turn and support someone who is a member of the Chamber. It seems very count er intuitive if you understand just how a small business are over looked by the Chamber while the concerns of a large business will always be supported.

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:42:10 +0000

The ironic disconnect of a C of C member being supported by the Union is there for all to see. Certainly everyone wants businesses to thrive, but the Cof C does more to hold down small business than anyone knows. Especially when that small business may be in conflict with a large business that pays the CofC.

Of course, there is also a disconnect that a Union would support a Republican. But that is hopefully a more candidate to candidate dependent thing. Certainly Teddy Roosevelt was in favor of equal pay for equal work.

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:33:17 +0000

Sounds like you believe that the Union should be subservient to the company. Isn't that what the Chamber of Commerce wants you to believe?

By: basketcase

basketcase — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:20:17 +0000

Wouldn't the benefit to the union only happen if the company benefitted? If they company is losing money or going out of business, then how can the union continue to work?

By: basketcase

basketcase — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:18:47 +0000

Are you saying the Labor Council dislikes Republicans and members of the Chamber of Commerce?

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:55:48 +0000

Many professions require continuing education. I do not deride what the Union is supposed to do.
I deride the idea that they would throw their support of a member of the Chamber of Commerce. If you can't see the incongruity in that action, then perhaps you need to educate yourself in just who the C of C supports and who the C of C attempts to keep down. Stop being a tool of the C of C and start supporting the Union.

By: MossyOak

MossyOak — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:46:30 +0000

There are a lot of reliable, highly qualified locally owned buisiness' within the Building Trade that are non-union. Why should the City discriminate against them? Ron this is Great news for the Teamsters though, as it should open the door for them at CRST …….Right?

By: Mindboggle

Mindboggle — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:38:50 +0000

Union Members train in the trade and require continued education. When your wages go up, you can thank the Unions for pushing the bar to keep up with National standards. When was your last required continued education class? When was the last time you had a wage increase outside of your annual performance?
When was the last time your company sought out a plan that helps more than their pocket book and on a larger scale that of our community?
By the way, the Union is not a business it's a organization. The Union's duty is to do what the members want collectively and the Union does not benefit from it. The benefit of the Union is to ensure everyone benefits.
Maybe you should research what a Union does before you speak up. Maybe you should research Fagan before you vote….

By: cc1091

cc1091 — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:53:56 +0000

The Republican, and a member of a Chamber of Commerce is the choice of 'labor'? Yeah…tell me another.

Maybe this is an indication of why the Unions in Cedar Rapids are so incredibly out of sync with the operation of good business? The leadership is really working for the benefit of the company, not the union.