Re:Industry defense mechanism (Score 1)

I'll bet the reason you went for that job in the garage was because it paid better than minimum wage, right? Do you know why the pay is decent in the union shop jobs you seeked? It's because the union negotiated those wages for it's members. Don't think for a minute a company won't pay you less if they could. If you don't like to pay union dues, there are plenty of minimum wage, non-union sweat shops out there. A union is only as strong as the members it represents. If a union becomes weak by members who would rather not pay their union dues, then it's going to fall apart, all the members are going to get fired, and replaced by scab workers working for a lower wage. A union needs the solidarity of it's members to be effective. If you have a committeeperson who's not doing his/her job, then elect whoever you feel will do the job. If you feel your union has failed you, then you only have yourself to blame for not participating actively in your union to make it better for the workers and employer. As a union member, you are an important part of the foundation of your union. I personally will gladly pay my union dues and put up with the occasional delivery inconvenience if it means I'll earn a living wage and won't find my job being done by some scab tomorrow.