At 11:40 AM 5/10/97, Don Brayton wrote:
>
>Monopolies, both in manufacturing and services, like unions, are created
>and protected by the force of law because, eventually, if one tries to
>compete, the police show up to close you down.  I believe that unions
>would be much more attractive to active and potential members and
>supported by the community if coercion in all forms were eliminated and
>good old-value-for-value persuasion was used.  Unfortunately they would
>no longer be a money tree for the union officials and politicians.

Unions are either pro-capitalist or socialist. If the former, they are what
we call a 'boss's union', symptoms: boss deducts the union dues from your
pay, union tries to hose down worker's demands and militancy. Don't waste
your time, just start a new union. The socialist union demands lock, stock
and barrel.
>
>I do not see any significant relationship between the existence of unions
>and capitalism in particular.

Without capitalism there would be no working class, you don't see unions
appearing until the beginning of the capitalist system.

No matter what socioeconomic system
>exists, as long as there are laws, enforcers and organizers,  you will
>have the ugly side of unions.  Only when the community refuses to allow
>coercion of honest citizens will equity prevail.


Bill Bartlett