Zebo
Elite Member
- Jul 29, 2001
- 39,398
- 19
- 81
Originally posted by: Crimson
Originally posted by: Zebo
Originally posted by: SuperTool
Originally posted by: Red Dawn
How are they worthless, because some of them don't force an employer to keep and crappy worker? The Pay Scale and Benifits Packages for Skilled Labor Union Members enables them to have a quality life, good Medical Benefits and a decent retirement. WTF is wrong with that?Originally posted by: broon
Unions had a place in this country, but not anymore. Now large companies have an HR department that ensures conditions are suitable for workers. In Red Dawn's example, the union is worthless.
Because it's not Uniquely AmericanHaven't you heard, one job with quality life and good benefits and retirement is not the American way. American way is three jobs, no benefits, no retirement aside from stock market.
One important point these union haters miss is all the businesses they suppport with thier high wages spending the money here, at resturants, car dealers, nice homes etc which improves the community and our economy. How many busineses does a minimum wage worker at walmart support? None. Conservatives even admit it, saying tax cuts, meaning more money in your pocket gives you more to spend. Policies that put money in people's pocket stimulate the economy. Demand drives the economy, not supply. Why would you invest in greater production capacity if no one is out there with money to spend? Unions is just another mechanism to recirculate money to the workforce. This is classic Keynes.
One important thing the union LOVERS miss is that inflated wages lead to inflated prices. What good is twice the salary if you are paying $25 for a pair of jeans instead of $10? I mean, if higher wages are good, with no consequences, why not just decree that all workers make $100/hr?
Doesn't work that way. Why? In America those businesses have competitors. If one raises prices to cover cost of labor and his competition stands pat, Biz A takes market share because his prices are now lower. His lost profit per item, due to higher wages, he makes up for in volume. Another factor, now that labor can profit from thier efforts up and above the cost of living, they can "open thier own shop" to compete with the price raiser paying themselves whatever they wish, which usually is less than the big tuna makes.
I'm sure you don't believe me. Well lets look at this supposed inflation is caused by higher wages.
We created the minimum wage in 1938. Raised it in 1957, 1963, and 1996. Take a look at the inflation numbers for the years immediately following. And you'll find the rate of inflation went down right after these increases in the minimum wage.http://www.eh.net/hmit/inflation/inflationr.php
1957 3.38
1958 2.98
1959 .58
1960 1.72
1961 1.13
1962 1.12
1963 1.10
1964 1.37
1965 1.62
1966 2.92
1967 2.84
1968 4.26
1969 5.29
1996 2.96
1997 2.35
1998 1.51
1999 2.21
2000 3.38
2001 2.86
