On Fri, 9 May 1997 22:48:22 -0700 Frank Scott <[log in to unmask]>
writes:
>I've been a member of several in my life, currently the Teachers
>Union. The
>reputation of unions has suffered greatly for a variety of reasons.
>The
>propaganda of capitalist society plays the leading role, but the fact
>that
>unions have all too often become the handmaidens of capital looms
>large in
>the sorry state of their status in citizens eyes.
>fs
>


I am one of the disillusioned.  The two unions I have joined in my life
provide little help in my estimating their value or suggesting how they
could be getter organized or controlled.  The first, in Rhode Island, was
the a laboror's union employed by a pipeline company. Yes, I received
good wages, but the dues brought that down.  Who won in that deal?  The
union officials who got to ride in Cadillacs and the politicians who were
bribed to pass the laws giving unions their monopoly.  Next was the
musician's union which really was the same situation only more confused.


Now I hear that the unions are assessing their members a lobbying fee for
political purposes and that the money goes to suport the campains of
predominantly democrat candidates, that requests by union members for
different lobbying targets are ignored and that, although legally
compelled to do so, the unions refuse to return the fees to members who
protest.  Business as usual.  From teh point of view of a citizen, I find
this abhorrent.

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.

I do not see any significant relationship between the existence of unions
and capitalism in particular.  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.

Thanks for listening to my unpopular, one-note views.

Don