I almost punched this guys lights out yesterday in public over unions

[Omaha Steve]

He and his girl friend were standing behind me in line waiting for the shuttle bus to get to the College World Series. She started talking about how her employer lied to keep the union out at her hospital. I couldn't help but turn around and ask about it. Then her guy starts on unions are the bane of American business. It got worse. He started on companies don't owe workers anything.... I brought up Ken Lay and Enron. It went over his head. I really wanted to punch the pompous ass. Now she forgets I was on HER side and sticks up for him. I dropped it and turned around. I wish I had asked him to take his best shot free, and go from there. I've been pissed about it for over 24 hours.

[Bluzmann57]

1. Just some dumbasses spewing misinformation

They are obviously some REALLY stupid folks. I have encountered people like this as well and after getting furious with them, have decided that they ain't worth my time. It just isn't worth jail time either. The guy is a stupid guy and so you should just say "Fuck you" and let it go.I apologize for the language. But these types irritate me as well.

[LakeSamish706]

2. There are some real winners out there when it comes to Union talk....

What surprises me most is that many of these management types don't realize that if it weren't for Unions, management salaries (in Unionized shops) would not be as high as they are. When Unions negotiate a good wage for their employees, it sets a standard for Management as well.

[Gman]

3. There are a lot of management that agree with you 100%

and they'll tell you that in hushed tones and off in a corner.

Then there are the dyed in the wool assholes in management.

[LakeSamish706]

5. I have seen alto of the "dyed in the wool assholes" and they frustrate the...

hell outta me.

[midnight]

4. Friday night I was with some very wonderful AFSCME people.

They were giving us some tips on how to deal with our work situation. Sorry the people you were trying to inform were such bone heads.

[jody]

6. Come up with a good statement, e.g. "your extreme ignorance is exceeded by your gross stupidity". nt

[24HRrnr]

7. Having been a Union worker

I won't ever be again.

Won't work for a boss, either.

[DBoon]

8. Dude you are awsome

"companies don't owe workers anything" - which is why we have unions.

To remind them they DO owe us something.

[OutNow]

9. We Have A Lot of Work Ahead Of Us

I think about the economy and the federal budget deficit and the huge trade deficit and all the environmental problems and the war in Iraq and just how much work we have ahead of us when we finally kick W back to his pig farm in Crawford next January.

We have at least as much work to do to bring back jobs that can support a family and provide a pension. But of all the ruination the Republicans have brought to our country, none can compare to their destruction of the union movement. I was raised in a union family. I know what it's like to struggle and win a new contract. I know that the union hall is where you see all your uncles and aunts and cousins at pot luck dinners for a fund raiser for union members on strike in another industry or city. Growing up in the 50s, people in my neighborhood in Pennsylvania were more likely to be known by what union they belonged to that what church they went to. Bill's dad was USW. Fred's dad was UAW, etc.
This culture has disappeared along with, not coincidentally, the good jobs, pensions, and health insurance.

And perhaps, the solution to the macro-level problems like the trade and budget deficits, the war in Iraq and others also lies in the revitalization of the union movement. But we have a lot of work to do. The work dos not end in January 2009 ; it begins in January 2009.

[Warpy]

10. Stupid is its own reward

and we're about to experience the perfect storm for half wits like that one: depressed wages, high unemployment, increasing interest rates on all debt, inflation, and collapsing banks getting nasty about things like car, student and credit card debt.

In other words, he's about to get clocked right between the eyes by the end of a two by four and he's too fucking stupid to see it coming. He's about to find out first hand why unions fought so hard to get him his soft life.

Oh, and hospitals always lie about unions. The union busting that went on in mine was appalling.

[Nipper1959]

11. I have the same problem

I cannot stand idly by when someone blames unions for all of their lot in life. I like to point out that the 40 hour work week, paid vacation, pensions and child labor laws were all brought to the American worker by unions. just a short and anything but inclusive list.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Welcome to the DU

And the Labor Forum.