Is anyone else getting really sick of the teachers unions radio ad -THREAD?

[MarkB]

I do not remember a time, or at least I have never been upset with private sector unions. If the union can squeeze GM for better wages and/or better benefits then go for it, but there is a point where GM reaches that line in the sand and says enough is enough packs up and moves those jobs to Mexico. IMHO the union failed it's workers - it failed to see the delicate balance of profitability, a healthy, happy & productive work force, and ROI.

Public sector unions (Teachers Union) do not have this fear - they can push all they want because there are no repercussions other than a lengthy strike.

I'd say that automotive industry example is outright catastrophic failure. And I'm sure there were warnings from GM too. They'll incur huge losses making a move like that ... so they wouldn't have taken the decision lightly. Points to just how mindless the unions can be ... I can't help but think of a parasite, that feeds on its host, until the host is dead ... then the parasite dies too.

[Sharon]

I guess one of the reasons I'm more positive about unions is because of the help they gave me when I had a huge problem with my boss.
They represented me in mediation with a Board of Education, and the Human Rights Commission. We were successful on all fronts. I learned that they were definitely about more than money.

[MikePal]

I guess one of the reasons I'm more positive about unions is because of the help they gave me when I had a huge problem with my boss.
They represented me in mediation with a Board of Education, and the Human Rights Commission. We were successful on all fronts. I learned that they were definitely about more than money.

Have to agree Sharon, the UNIFOR union took really good care of my Aunt after my Uncle died. I was young then (mid 70s) and it showed me the value of belonging to a Union family. I don't know how it is these days, but I don't see the same care for the membership that used to exist.

[Gilroy]

I'd say that automotive industry example is outright catastrophic failure. And I'm sure there were warnings from GM too. They'll incur huge losses making a move like that ... so they wouldn't have taken the decision lightly. Points to just how mindless the unions can be ... I can't help but think of a parasite, that feeds on its host, until the host is dead ... then the parasite dies too.

Oh I don't know about that GM moves the plant to Mexico and gets to pay the workers there $2.50 an hour and they have no benefits.
But somehow with these savings on labour and health they can then still justify selling a pickup truck for $60,000. Real wages for the average middle class worker have apparently not gone up since 1976.

These little nuggets of information I picked up from watching the AGENDA who had a retired economist and author on the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS8MVcqN2uM

[MarkB]

I guess one of the reasons I'm more positive about unions is because of the help they gave me when I had a huge problem with my boss.
They represented me in mediation with a Board of Education, and the Human Rights Commission. We were successful on all fronts. I learned that they were definitely about more than money.

Oh no doubt, they have their place. My wife got a BAD deal from one employer ... basically a manager that was jealous of her made up some BS reason to have her fired without any evidence (basically said she believe she was looking for other employment ... which was a lie, and in any case is not a dismissible offence). It was all about money, my wife was good at selling packages and was making commission, but the manager wanted full monopoly on the commission on ALL packages sold ... which is against the agreement in the contract ...

Anyhow, no union, no point in taking them to court ... they didn't even give the 2 week notice payment ... we went to the Ministry, they found the employer in the wrong, sent them all kinds of letters telling them to square up with us ... no response ... ministry gave up ... we got nothing (so basically Ministry has NO TEETH, can't help at all, and the criminal gets away).

Anyhow, just saying, we've been on the short end of the stick and I agree a union would have helped here.

But it's all about balance, unions also overdue it complaining about everything to the point where it's impossible to do business ... so company's leave the country.

[MarkB]

Oh I don't know about that GM moves the plant to Mexico and gets to pay the workers there $2.50 an hour and they have no benefits.
But somehow with these savings on labour and health they can then still justify selling a pickup truck for $60,000. Real wages for the average middle class worker have apparently not gone up since 1976.

These little nuggets of information I picked up from watching the AGENDA who had a retired economist and author on the show.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PS8MVcqN2uM

Don't you think GM knew about the $2.50 an hour wage in Mexico LONG BEFORE they made the decision to move??
So, ask yourself, why didn't they move (or even initially establish) the company before?
Because there was value being here ... but at some point, that value erodes ... to the point where it's not worth it anymore.

Anyhow, take what you want from it ... world is a big competition ... whatever you say won't bring back those GM jobs ... so who lost and what you gonna do about it? I'll tell you who lost ... the employees ... and you're gonna do NADDA about it.

[Gilroy]

Yes I am sure GM knew about the wages they could get away paying the poor Mexicans. They waited until they needed new plants with much more automation and robotics and up and left when it suited them.They probably got some incentives thrown in, does not make it right.

So now that they are saving big on labour and health benefits does the average Joe Doe in Canada buying a new pick up get a break. No.

BTW You conveniently have forgotten the Tens of Millions of Canadian Taxpayers money they got that bailed them out.Hey maybe they used that cash for the move and machinery in Mexico.

[Gilroy]

Oh no doubt, they have their place. My wife got a BAD deal from one employer ... basically a manager that was jealous of her made up some BS reason to have her fired without any evidence (basically said she believe she was looking for other employment ... which was a lie, and in any case is not a dismissible offence). It was all about money, my wife was good at selling packages and was making commission, but the manager wanted full monopoly on the commission on ALL packages sold ... which is against the agreement in the contract ...

Anyhow, no union, no point in taking them to court ... they didn't even give the 2 week notice payment ... we went to the Ministry, they found the employer in the wrong, sent them all kinds of letters telling them to square up with us ... no response ... ministry gave up ... we got nothing (so basically Ministry has NO TEETH, can't help at all, and the criminal gets away).

Anyhow, just saying, we've been on the short end of the stick and I agree a union would have helped here.

But it's all about balance, unions also overdue it complaining about everything to the point where it's impossible to do business ... so company's leave the country.

First mistake she made was going near the Ministry for help. She should have contacted an employment lawyer, there is a great one on the telly Sunday mornings right after the hunting shows.Here is a link to them and their free severage calculator.Watch some of these guys show's he is great.

https://www.severancepaycalculator.com/

[greatwhite]

When you are laid off of a Job always see a Lawyer even if you have only been there for a year. I was laid off after 4.5 years and was only offered 4 months after speaking to a Lawyer he go it to 8 months after paying him I was still 6000 ahead. Employment Lawyers will probono If you don't get anything extra they don't get paid. You are only charged on the extra they get you. My Lawyer was paid 2000 so he took 25%. Yes quite a bit but if I had lost he would get nothing. Now I could have paid by the hour but in my case both worked out the same.

ALWAYS SEE A LAWYER

First mistake she made was going near the Ministry for help. She should have contacted an employment lawyer, there is a great one on the telly Sunday mornings right after the hunting shows.Here is a link to them and their free severage calculator.Watch some of these guys show's he is great.

https://www.severancepaycalculator.com/

[greatwhite]

That's who is used. Nice Guy.

First mistake she made was going near the Ministry for help. She should have contacted an employment lawyer, there is a great one on the telly Sunday mornings right after the hunting shows.Here is a link to them and their free severage calculator.Watch some of these guys show's he is great.

https://www.severancepaycalculator.com/