I am only commenting on this story because it dovetails with my
Air Traffic Controller post “Union Culture Run Amok” and helps to illustrate my
contention that unions in general are in need of a major overhaul. In today’s story (http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/05/13/148607/hefty-salaries-perks-for-union.html),
which looks at the International
Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and
Helpers (the IBB), we will see the huge disparity between the union leadership
and the rank and file, blatant nepotism and outright fraud.
Some
generalizations first - The basic union mythology
goes something like this: management is made up of blood-sucking morally bankrupt
greedy capitalist trying to squeeze the last ounce of productivity from the
oppressed worker. Union leaders are the
crusaders of the fair deal and the tireless protectors of workers’ rights. They have the rank and files’ best interest
at heart because they are one of them, people of the people. In broad strokes, it can also be said that many
large national trade unions tend to align with and support politicians who are sympathetic
to the workers cause. Look at the
teachers union, teamsters and many other large unions and you can see this is
generally true through endorsements and donations.
Ok now let’s
start looking at the reality. According
to the article, the Boilermakers union president is a guy named Newton B. Jones;
he makes $607,000 some odd dollars in total compensation (plus what gets
expensed). He got the job from his
father, Charles W. Jones in 2003 and his brother, sister, son and other
relatives all work for the union in some capacity and are making very good
salaries.. There were hunting trips,
executive jets, lavish “business and networking” trips. And this is just one family involved with
leadership in the IBB. The Creeden
family also seems to be on the inside with several members also working for the
union to the tune of $624,000.
So here is my
point and major annoyance for today. What
a bunch of hypocrites! If this was a
private company’s CEO the unions would be screaming bloody murder. I’m not saying some CEOs don’t live lavish
life-styles, but they are involved in the business of making money, the unions
are supposedly in the business of watching out for their members. Add to the, shall we say robust executive
compensation the fact that these union executives aggregate enormous political
power and leverage over our political system through endorsements and
donations, and I begin to start wondering who is working for whom.
In the old days,
unions were the protectors of the worker and business owners and management were
out to make as much money as possible, even at the expense of the workers. However, we have come a long way from the
days of sweatshop labor and railroad work gangs. There is so much federal regulation at the
workplace that companies need full time employees just to ensure compliance. So tell me again why we need unions with
bloated overheads and political activist leaders. The article also points out that there have
been grumblings from the rank and file but it has to be anonymous for fear of
retribution. Now that’s an organization
looking out for the welfare of the little guy.
What a bunch of hogwash. The
union system in this country needs a complete overhaul if they want to stay
relevant. Ignore these grumblings and
the growing tide of anti-union sentiment and one day the unions will go the way
of the horse and buggy – a quaint “olde tyme” anachronism that when seen in today’s
modern world makes us all smile and long for the good old days.
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