Political Views and Union membership

[Boris The Animal]

In a back and forth with @Green Arrow, I got to thinking about this subject. Especially in the past year I've had to work in union shops. Now, having said that, the union that I was with as a school bus driver barely did squat. But now, the ATU local I'm going to be in after my probationary period, is fairly strong. I will benefit from representation and also the benefits with the healthcare, pension, and so forth.
So my questions are this: As a Conservative, I believe in rewarding merit. This is one of the key sticking points I've had with unions that value seniority over merit. I believe BOTH should deserve consideration in some way. Also, how does a Conservative reconcile being a union member as they have traditionally favored the opposing political party? I just want to ensure that I won't be "encouraged" to vote a certain way.

[gamewell45]

In a back and forth with @Green Arrow, I got to thinking about this subject. Especially in the past year I've had to work in union shops. Now, having said that, the union that I was with as a school bus driver barely did squat. But now, the ATU local I'm going to be in after my probationary period, is fairly strong. I will benefit from representation and also the benefits with the healthcare, pension, and so forth.
So my questions are this: As a Conservative, I believe in rewarding merit. This is one of the key sticking points I've had with unions that value seniority over merit. I believe BOTH should deserve consideration in some way. Also, how does a Conservative reconcile being a union member as they have traditionally favored the opposing political party? I just want to ensure that I won't be "encouraged" to vote a certain way.

My union had guaranteed contractual wage increases every year; additionally if the company wanted to reward you with a merit increase, there was language in the labor agreement allowing it; in fact the union was very supportive of it since they wanted our members to be able to make as much money as possible. We also had conservatives in the bargaining unit who had no issues at all with being members of the union since they realized the benefits of union membership. While my union favored those politicians who were friendly towards unions, in my union, no union dues or fees were donated to any political campaign or politician. Instead we had a voluntary PAC fund in which the membership who donated to it had a say how the monies were distributed. No union can legally instruct you how to vote since it is a secret ballot.

[Boris The Animal]

My union had guaranteed contractual wage increases every year; additionally if the company wanted to reward you with a merit increase, there was language in the labor agreement allowing it; in fact the union was very supportive of it since they wanted our members to be able to make as much money as possible. We also had conservatives in the bargaining unit who had no issues at all with being members of the union since they realized the benefits of union membership. While my union favored those politicians who were friendly towards unions, in my union, no union dues or fees were donated to any political campaign or politician. Instead we had a voluntary PAC fund in which the membership who donated to it had a say how the monies were distributed. No union can legally instruct you how to vote since it is a secret ballot.

This helps greatly.

[donttread]

In a back and forth with @Green Arrow, I got to thinking about this subject. Especially in the past year I've had to work in union shops. Now, having said that, the union that I was with as a school bus driver barely did squat. But now, the ATU local I'm going to be in after my probationary period, is fairly strong. I will benefit from representation and also the benefits with the healthcare, pension, and so forth.
So my questions are this: As a Conservative, I believe in rewarding merit. This is one of the key sticking points I've had with unions that value seniority over merit. I believe BOTH should deserve consideration in some way. Also, how does a Conservative reconcile being a union member as they have traditionally favored the opposing political party? I just want to ensure that I won't be "encouraged" to vote a certain way.

You gotta make a living and what you're doing is not morally wrong so you are justified. Personally I believe we need unions but they can't be allowed to get too strong. It's a balance of greed

[Boris The Animal]

You gotta make a living and what you're doing is not morally wrong so you are justified. Personally I believe we need unions but they can't be allowed to get too strong. It's a balance of greed

This is where the rank and file need to step in when the leadership starts slipping.

[gamewell45]

This is where the rank and file need to step in when the leadership starts slipping.

Correct; the membership has the power of the vote.

[Mini Me]

American prosperity was at its height when Unions were strong! 1940- 1960's.

Now, the % of union membership is only about 7%, and wages are stagnant and can't keep up with the cost of inflation, and the great Middle Class is no more!

[Dr. Who]

This is where the rank and file need to step in when the leadership starts slipping.

Until you are really familiar with your union, you should keep your politics to yourself. A union can help you or undermine you. You don't want to be the member swimming upstream.

[jimmyz]

Your self interest will usually define your politics. For good or ill.

[Common]

Unions today are not the Unions of yesterday and the political relationship with the political parties has changed.

Years past the union leadership outwardly endorsed candidates that they believed would be better for their membership.
That is no different than Gays supporting a Politician they believe will be better for them, or pro choice groups supporting a candidate thats for abortion, or corporate lobbiests that support and feed politicians that will be better for them.
EVERYONE HAS AN AGENDA and political parties feed them what they want to hear to get that support.


Having said that the Group doesnt have to believe in that candidate just believe they will give them what they want and the candidate doesnt have to believe in what that group wants to fight for it. ITS POLITICS.

Conservatives denounce unions yet they support subsidies for companies that never lose a dime like Big Oil why in the world do we give them subsidies every single year in the hundreds of millions.

I could go on and on but everyone understands or should, who you vote for is who tells you what you want to hear no matter WHO YOU ARE. Or the candidate thats your race or the candidate thats for illegal immigration.

The real truth this its all a pile of $#@! and everything they do is for themselves FIRST