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THE STATE OF THE LABOR FORCE
By Don Shilling
Labor leaders say a rebound in the economy would help union and nonunion workers.
Organized labor is down but not out as it marks Labor Day 2009 — a year that’s brought on a recession, increased foreign competition and hostility in Congress, area union officials say.
“We’ve taken a beating, not just unions but the entire labor force,” said Larry Fauver, vice president of the Mahoning-Trumbull AFL-CIO.
Jim Graham, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, said the beating is no accident.
“There’s been a concerted effort to decimate labor organizations in this country and the middle class in general,” he said.
He pointed to members of Congress who “demonized” General Motors and Chrysler in hearings when the automakers asked for federal loans. Meanwhile, $700 billion was quickly approved for the troubled financial services industry, he noted.
“We get treated like punks,” he added.
The large industrial plants in the Mahoning Valley and their unions have had a tough time recently. Unions at General Motors and Delphi Packard Electric agreed to major concessions, while the Severstal steel mill in Warren has been idled all year.
Bob Sutton, a staff representative for the International Union of Electrical Workers, said he’s been negotiating contract extensions at smaller companies that have been struggling during the recession.
He hopes the local unions can avoid concessions now and put off negotiations on new contracts until companies are healthier.
The labor leaders said a rebound in the economy will help union workers and nonunion workers alike.
Fauver pointed to the GM Lordstown complex as an example. It is bringing back a second shift of workers to build more Chevrolet Cobalts and prepare for the Chevrolet Cruze. As work increases at Lordstown, grocery stores and other businesses in the Mahoning Valley will have more business as the auto workers spend more money, Fauver said.
Federal statistics indicate union membership is rebounding from a long decline.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics said in January that union membership rose by 428,000 last year to 16.1 million. Union membership also grew by 311,000 in 2007.
In 2008, 12.4 percent of all workers belonged to unions, up from 12.1 percent a year earlier. Most of the growth was among government workers.
The percentage of workers in unions has dropped from 20.1 percent in 1983. The nation had 17.7 million union workers that year.
Organized labor has been pushing for passage of the Employee Free Choice Act as a way to increase membership. It was introduced in Congress this year. The measure has been opposed by employer groups.
It would allow for creation of a union without an election. A union could be declared if a majority of workers sign cards supporting one.
Graham said more action will be needed from Washington, however.
He said the nation has allowed too many manufacturing jobs to be sent overseas. Other nations are producing goods at lower costs because they don’t have the same regulations regarding child labor, safety and the environment, he said.
The U.S. should be placing tariffs on goods from countries that don’t have stringent regulations, he said.
As it stands now, American companies find it hard to cut costs low enough to meet those of foreign competitors, he said.
“A political solution is the only solution. I don’t care how many concessions that unions make, it’s not enough,” he said.
Fauver added, however, that there is something else that would help — buying American.
If consumers were willing to pay a bit more for products made in this country, more jobs would be created, he said.
“The American people need to stop and realize how detrimental it is for jobs to leave the country,” he said.
shilling@vindy.com
Industries with highest percentage of workers in unions in 2008:
Education, training, library: 39 percent
Police and fire: 35 percent
Construction and extraction: 20 percent
Transportation and material handling: 18 percent
Installation and repair: 17 percent
Social service: 16 percent
Production: 15 percent
Health care practitioner: 14 percent
Building and grounds: 12 percent
Office and administrative support: 10 percent
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Comments
“There’s been a concerted effort to decimate labor organizations in this country and the middle class in general,” he said.
Labor unions brought the negative perception on to themselves. They are what's destroying the middle class. Americans are just responding to the deterioration of business, jobs, and quality of life in areas like Ytown because of careless unions. Especially NOW. If there was any time in American history for labor unions to back off, it would be the present. Now is the time to PROMOTE business, whether it is Union or non-union.
Industry is changing in America, and changing fast. The very definition of 'Blue Collar" is not what it used to be 30 years ago because of technology based industry. And with the Japanese auto industry and eager Mexicans willing to work for less pay, the American unions will soon become extinct unless they change their objectives and tactics.
"All that harms labor is treason to America" (Lincoln). Seems like we more than our share of traitors in public office. Honest Abe must be rolling in his grave this Labor Day.
Labor unions should look after their workers in the workplace . Today the union leaders have prostituted themselves and have forgotten their workers . In the UFCW they are in bed with Giant Eagle leadership and the rank and file are milked to satisfy the upper echelon , When resources are wasted to capture more market share by picketing the competition in hopes of shutting them down to get their share of the marketplace something is amiss . These wasted resources would be better spent restoring the workers pension fund to solvency . Their leaders have made sure that the leaders pension funds are seperate and not in jeopardy .
LEARN THE FACTS
http://unionfacts.com
"Labor leaders say a rebound in the economy would help union and nonunion workers"
Is this from their department of the obvious?
Unions only thrive and survive when a local corporation has a monopoly on product. Once competition starts up elsewhere, it is the death of the union and that entity.
vindicatorsnightmare:
You are posting old news . We already knew about the momentous occasion where you now have a brother .
vindicatorsnightmare:
I'm sorry about not showing up for the baby shower for your recently born brother . I see that you are very bitter about it .
Your profile is very amusing . At least you know what you are !
http://www.vindy.com/users/vindicatorsni...
People that blame the unions don't know what they are talking about. Aunion is only as strong as the people in it. If the union members don't stand together then nothing is going to happen. Those that belong to the union that say theunion needs to do something had better look in the mirror becasue you are who helps make the union up. If you don't have the guts to stand up and fight then don't blame anyone else.
He pointed to members of Congress who “demonized” General Motors and Chrysler in hearings when the automakers asked for federal loans. Meanwhile, $700 billion was quickly approved for the troubled financial services industry, he noted.
“We get treated like punks,” he added.
No, you get treated like a poor risk by a lender. See, the financial institutions have already begun repaying their loans because they know how to run a business. The loans to the auto industry will NEVER be repaid. That is the difference. You were scrutinized because you cannot repay your creditors. That is why Uncle Sam owns you now. You received BIG FAT GIFTS from the taxpayers so stop your f**king bit**ing.
God**nm dummies. You cannot fix stupid.
vindicatorsnightmare:
Changing your profile didn't cover your tracks .
FROM THE ARCHIVES
http://i31.tinypic.com/34zfz1i.jpg
I have to agree with Doc Gonzo, when are we going to see the auto industry start paying back the ridiculous amount of money the tax paying members of society forked over? Here are some other questions for Mr. Graham:
- Will the American Taxpayer have a seat at the table during your next contract negotiating sessions? I feel we have earned it, based on the amount of money we have given you.
- Did you guys at the UAW sell that golf course yet?
- Do you think an ideal location for your next UAW meeting should be Michigan on your own dime? No more nice, sunny locales on our dime like Florida this last spring.
- Has Toyota payed back their loan yet? Oh yeah, they did not need to borrow any money from the tax payer. Wonder why? There is a company that must be run efficiently, because their stock has gone up $20+ / share since November.
- What percentage of American cars were bought during that efficiently run 'Cash for Clunkers' program?
Hey Jimbo, here is some advice, stay quiet so the taxpayer does not remember how much money we gave you. Here is a Kleenex for your whining.
vindicatorsnightmare:
YOU MAY HAVE REMOVED IT FROM TINY PIC BUT ITS STILL IN THE ARCHIVES !
vindicatorsnightmare:
Changing your profile didn't cover your tracks .
FROM THE ARCHIVES
http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/5903/vi...
YOU MAY HAVE REMOVED IT BUT ITS STILL IN THE ARCHIVES !
vindicatorsnightmare:
Changing your profile didn't cover your tracks .
FROM THE ARCHIVES
http://www.imagechicken.com/uploads/1252...
vindicatorsnightmare:
That is a snapshot of your profile at the Vindy when you had nine posts . Posters remorse now ?
I had scanned the page for code when I first entered the website . There is no invasive code to harm a computer . Thanks for the concern .
vindicatorsnightmare:
Here is the complete file of the webpage snapshot .
http://www.plunder.com/vindicatorsnightm...