Plan B Forum

"... While the details of the arrangement would be ironed out after the election, works councils -- which are elected by all workers in a factory, both blue and white collar, whether or not they belong to the union -- usually help decide things like staffing schedules and working conditions, while the union bargains on wages and benefits. They have the right to review certain types of information about how the company is doing financially, which often means that they're more sympathetic towards management's desire to make cutbacks when times are tough. During the recession, for example, German works councils helped the company reduce hours across the board rather than laying people off, containing unemployment until the economy recovered.

In the early 1990s, Harvard labor law expert Paul C. Weiler interviewed managers about why they valued works councils. One representative executive told him:

There are three major advantages of councils. You're forced to consider in your decision making process the effect on the employees in advance…this avoids costly mistakes. Second, works councils will in the final run support the company. They will take into account the pressing needs of the company more than a trade union can, on the outside. And third, works councils explain and defend certain decisions of the company towards the employees. Once decisions are made, they are easier to implement. ...".

"... That doesn't mean, however, that the vote is unopposed. National anti-union groups and the state's Republican leaders are campaigning against the UAW, saying unionization will spread like a contagion through Tennessee's other auto plants. “Then it’s BMW, then it’s Mercedes, then it’s Nissan, hurting the entire Southeast if they get the momentum," said Sen. Bob Corker (R.-Tenn.). ... "

rubato wrote:Someone accustomed to habits of fairmindedness would have observed that the response was merely in-kind, and proportionate.

Apparently it is you who are attending to your emotional needs.

yrs,
rubato

to post ill-considered bullshit.

if we had people smarter than, well, you listening.

Are you postwhoring for any particular reason, rube?

FRI FEB 14, 2014 AT 07:17 PM PST
Republican threats over Volkswagen
union vote have their intended effect
by Laura Clawson for Daily Kos Labor

Their senator said publicly and repeatedly that if they voted against joining a union, their company would bring more jobs to the region. A state senator said that if they voted for a union, their legislature would vote against funding for jobs expansion. And the threats to Volkswagen workers apparently had their intended effect: The workers voted narrowly against joining the UAW in results just counted.

According to an emailed press release from the UAW:

At the end of voting on Friday, Volkswagen workers voted against joining the union in a vote of 712 to 626. [...]

“While we’re outraged by politicians and outside special interest groups interfering with the basic legal right of workers to form a union, we’re proud that these workers were brave and stood up to the tremendous pressure from outside,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Williams, who directs the union’s transnational program. “We hope this will start a larger discussion about workers’ right to organize.”

If all of your elected officials were saying that you choosing more power in the workplace and better wages and working conditions would mean fewer jobs, wouldn't you think twice? Fear works for Republicans. They use it effectively.

Econoline wrote:AAANNND...the vote is in. The UAW has been defeated--not by the employer (Volkswagen)...but by the Republican party.

FRI FEB 14, 2014 AT 07:17 PM PST
Republican threats over Volkswagen
union vote have their intended effect
by Laura Clawson for Daily Kos Labor

Their senator said publicly and repeatedly that if they voted against joining a union, their company would bring more jobs to the region. A state senator said that if they voted for a union, their legislature would vote against funding for jobs expansion. And the threats to Volkswagen workers apparently had their intended effect: The workers voted narrowly against joining the UAW in results just counted.

According to an emailed press release from the UAW:

At the end of voting on Friday, Volkswagen workers voted against joining the union in a vote of 712 to 626. [...]

“While we’re outraged by politicians and outside special interest groups interfering with the basic legal right of workers to form a union, we’re proud that these workers were brave and stood up to the tremendous pressure from outside,” said UAW Secretary-Treasurer Dennis Williams, who directs the union’s transnational program. “We hope this will start a larger discussion about workers’ right to organize.”

If all of your elected officials were saying that you choosing more power in the workplace and better wages and working conditions would mean fewer jobs, wouldn't you think twice? Fear works for Republicans. They use it effectively.