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Red Planet Cartoons recently addresses the issue of union coercion in "Prepare To Be Carded".
RPC quotes Glenn Spencer's Union’s Card Check Gimmick.
Today, unions represent a scant 7.5 percent of private-sector workers, with the rest of their members employed in government, their only significant growth market. Demographically, the news is even worse: The largest single group of union members is between the ages of 45 and 54, nearing retirement — while just 6 percent of unionized workers are between 16 and 24.
Sadly, many unions seem to be choosing government power and restrictive legislation as their way out of the wilderness, instead of enhancing their value proposition. The AFL-CIO and its affiliates plan to spend $200 million of their members’ money to elect pro-labor candidates in 2008…
Of course, there's much more at Red Planet, including the usual supporting links at the end for readers who want more information.
Anyone who was raised in a family of a union member knows that unions--especially in the construction trades--serve useful purposes. But unions have to argue their cases on its merits and let potential members decide freely--and without fear of possible consequences--for themselves if union membership is in their best interests.
Having someone looking over your shoulder is no good, whether it's company management or union organizers.
The best choice is a free choice.
by Mondoreb
image: Red Planet Cartoons
Source: Prepare to be Carded
Falling viewership for CBS, falling ratings for CBS Evening News, the CBS News writers vote to strike and visions of poor Katie, shivering in the shadows: will it come to that?
From Reuters CBS News Writers Authorize Union to Call Strike:
Meanwhile, some are saying this is a horrible time for a strike--especially for Katie Couric. From Bloomberg, "CBS Writers Authorize Negotiators to Call Strike:"
CBS News writers, producers and editors voted to authorize their labor union to call a strike after working without a contract for two years.``That couldn't come at a worse time,'' said Brad Adgate, research director at Horizon Media, an advertising agency in New York. ``Katie Couric has been struggling. CBS is in last place in the evening news. It's in last place in the early morning. This isn't going to help.''
The writers have been working somewhere around two years without a contract. It makes one wonder how long the news anchors would do that. So, lastly this from the LA Times, "CBS Writers to Strike""It's a very powerful vote," said Michael Winship, president of the WGA East. "It proves that the CBS News folks have reached a point where they have taken this situation in their own hands and recognized that they need to get a contract, whatever needs to be done."
Maybe she could see if she's too late to get in on some Dan Rather-like action.
by Mondoreb
[graphic & legwork: RidesAPaleHorse]
Death by 1000 Papercuts Front Page.
