Time to protect unions (from activist judges)

[tk2kewl]

http://www.nydailynews.com/10-20-2005/news/ideas_opinions/story/357316p-304498c.html

Time to protect unions

By JOHN JORDAN

One by one, America's great industrial unions are being defanged. Where once presidents of these unions could march into the White House and leave with a pledge by President John F. Kennedy to end a strike on favorable terms, they are now sitting in bankruptcy court watching as unelected judges rip their contracts to shreds - or "negotiating" massive givebacks.

<snip>

How did we get to the place where labor rights are so unprotected that bankruptcy court judges are the final arbiters of wage, benefits and working conditions in what are still some of our most important industries? There are a number of answers. First are judges who have simply assumed this role. Bankruptcy court judges agreeing with management and tearing up union contracts as a matter of course is a recent innovation.

<snip>

The second development that has fatally undermined labor rights is a federal government that, regardless of which political party is in power, consistently sides with management in labor disputes.

The final development is a situation that affects nearly every employee - and employer - in the country: America's horribly mismanaged and inefficient health care system. Analysts estimate health care costs add from $1,000 to $1,500 to the price of every automobile produced in the United States. Manufacturers in no other advanced economy face these costs, since health care is funded by their national governments. America's dysfunctional health care system even dissuades investment here. Honda recently decided to build a new North American plant. It chose to build it in Canada. One of its stated reasons: our neighbor to the north's universal health care system.

<snip>

There's a growing unease in the country, a sense the American Dream is unattainable to those who lack the right pedigree or the right connections. It's time for government and others to address the roadblocks that prevent everyone from sharing in our economy's gains. A rediscovery of labor rights is a good place to start.

http://www.nydailynews.com/10-20-2005/news/ideas_opinions/story/357316p-304498c.html

[mestup]

1. American workers need de-programming before they can unite.

They've been conditioned to believe that attaining the American Dream would reflect a personal achievement unrelated to labor rights. There are way too many workers today who still spew resentment toward "lazy union workers," and they enjoy seeing them knocked down a notch or two. It's tragic.

[sam sarrha]

2. the Fascists are going after the pensions.. No Pensions Allowed.!!