I worked at GM / Delphi for 3+ decades and was fine with being a UAW member. You may find what I say next strange. The *supposed* concept of Right to Work would be just fine with me: anyone who gets a job in a unionized shop and doesn't want to be a union member shouldn't be forced to be one.
But you touched on the problem (and union-busting tactic) buried in Right to Work without mentioning the underlying mechanism that makes it possible. The problem is that unions *must* represent all the employees equally in 'bargaining units' in shops they represent, be they members or non-members. Any negotiated wage or benefit improvements go to all, regardless of membership status. The non-member has all the same rights to union representation and contract-specified remedies in disciplinary matters as members. They truly are free riders on the benefits of union membership. Doesn't really sound reasonable or fair, does it? And of course, it's not. So, how is it this came to pass?
Because it's the *law*. Federal labor law, to be exact. If a union is certified as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit (a group of similar employees), it must represent *all* employees in that unit equally, and distribute services and benefits equally, regardless of membership status. This is the dirty little secret in Right to Work.
I have no problem with the concept of "choice" when it comes to union membership. But that choice should have appropriate downstream consequences. You make Right to Work into an actual Right to Choose and let the makers of that choice benefit or not from it, and I'd say Hell yeah! All day, every day, and twice on Sunday.
Right to Work is a sham, and always will be as long as federal law perpetuates this inequity. It's something for nothing for the selfish in pursuit of more for the greedy, all sold in the name of freedom and choice. It's all bullshit. Period.
BTW...If I were ever given the "choice" of union membership along with the benefits I've seen it bring and the choice of going it truly on my own in a union shop, considering how many non-union shops I've worked in over 5 decades as a skilled tradesman (12), color me union, all day, every day, and twice on Sunday.
I worked at GM / Delphi for 3+ decades and was fine with being a UAW member. You may find what I say next strange. The *supposed* concept of Right to Work would be just fine with me: anyone who gets a job in a unionized shop and doesn't want to be a union member shouldn't be forced to be one.
But you touched on the problem (and union-busting tactic) buried in Right to Work without mentioning the underlying mechanism that makes it possible. The problem is that unions *must* represent all the employees equally in 'bargaining units' in shops they represent, be they members or non-members. Any negotiated wage or benefit improvements go to all, regardless of membership status. The non-member has all the same rights to union representation and contract-specified remedies in disciplinary matters as members. They truly are free riders on the benefits of union membership. Doesn't really sound reasonable or fair, does it? And of course, it's not. So, how is it this came to pass?
Because it's the *law*. Federal labor law, to be exact. If a union is certified as the exclusive representative of a bargaining unit (a group of similar employees), it must represent *all* employees in that unit equally, and distribute services and benefits equally, regardless of membership status. This is the dirty little secret in Right to Work.
I have no problem with the concept of "choice" when it comes to union membership. But that choice should have appropriate downstream consequences. You make Right to Work into an actual Right to Choose and let the makers of that choice benefit or not from it, and I'd say Hell yeah! All day, every day, and twice on Sunday.
Right to Work is a sham, and always will be as long as federal law perpetuates this inequity. It's something for nothing for the selfish in pursuit of more for the greedy, all sold in the name of freedom and choice. It's all bullshit. Period.
BTW...If I were ever given the "choice" of union membership along with the benefits I've seen it bring and the choice of going it truly on my own in a union shop, considering how many non-union shops I've worked in over 5 decades as a skilled tradesman (12), color me union, all day, every day, and twice on Sunday.