It's 11:00 right now in Detroit and the UAW is officially on strike. I say screw em, it's time to hire scabs.
If you're going to bash this because you're in a union go ahead, but I'd be more interested in hearing your rebuttal in the comments instead!
Much of the country might not have noticed, but the Michigan economy is failing miserably right now. The entire state was built around the auto industry, and as it fails it's dragging everybody down with it.
As I write this, the United Auto Workers union members are forming picket lines or heading to the bar.
If you ask me, I say good. It's time to rebuild the auto industry without the concept of a union.
I firmly believe that unions reward poor employees and punish the better ones.
In many unions when an employee is laid off they have to be hired back in the order they were laid off, and hired back before any new non union employees. This is counter productive as it's usually the worst employees that are first to go. The union actually prevents the company from hiring the best man for the job. Maybe that's why American cars are sucking lately.
Another problem with unions is the wage increases. Most employees will get the same raise - based on amount of time spent at the job. This structure provides no incentive for employees to work harder, and no way to reward the better employees. Why should I go the extra mile if I'm only going to get the same reward as the guy who does nothing all day long?
Of course one of the main reasons auto companies are struggling is the cost of healthcare for retirees. At last check, GM was
spending millions of dollars every year on Viagra alone.
Sure, unions were originally created to prevent companies from taking advantage of employees. In fact, we have them to thank for the 8 hour workday. (if only they could switch to the 10 hour 4 day work schedule..)
When you look at it though, all the benefits offered by a union are essentially self correcting in time. Think about it:
If company X starts making employees work 15 hours / day they're very likely to start seeking employment elsewhere. Once word gets around, nobody applies at Company X anymore. So in a desperate bid to attract workers, Company X is forced to relax their work hours.
Salary, working conditions, etc all work on the same curve as supply and demand. As one increases, the other decreases. Eventually companies will have to find a solid medium if they want to be successful.
If the big 3 were to say "fuck you" to the unions, it would definitely be a hard few months in store for all of their workers - but it would correct itself eventually.
I hate to see things like this happen in a state that's just weeks away from possibly shutting down, but it might just be necessary. Unions only look out for poor employees (as the really good employees have no trouble finding alternate work if they don't like it where they're at.)
Let's get rid of the unions, and help make our companies profitable again. Profitable companies expand and hire more workers - and that's what Michigan needs right now.
ShoutWire discussion of the strike is here.