Strike’s over for Duluth mechanics
August 14, 2012 at 4:00 pm in Duluth News Tribune
After two months, the strike is over for mechanics at six car dealerships in the Miller Hill Mall area. Continue Reading
Strike’s over for Duluth mechanics
22 Comments
“Who would pay for expected increases in employees’ health-care premiums the first two years of the contract was an issue.”
People aren’t going to like my post, but eh, whatever. I can tell you who should pay for the premium, it is the employee. Just like most people in the real world. Everyone needs to share the burden of Obamacare.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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First of all… the real debate wasn’t about who should pay for increases in health insurance costs. The debate was whether the employees should continue paying half, as was the original agreement, or whether employees must pay ALL of their healthcare costs. It was a one-sided debate from the beginning.
Secondly… this whole *protect the investor, pass the burden onto the employee* attitude is exactly what has been prevailing over the past 30+ years. This has led to a flood of low-wage, no benefit employment that has killed consumer demand and choked the economy. And all the while, you have big finance institutions making RECORD profits, giving out annual bonuses in the tens of billions… And pizza chain executives whining that healthcare reform will cost an whopping 14 cents extra per pizza. Oh no!! It’s pretty obvious who’s really getting the shorter end of the stick.
Lets be clear here – the leeches are on the top. You’re just not seeing them, because you’re choosing not to look.
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In the real world, good jobs provide good benefits.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Even when the end result of things are agreeable to both partys, the union haters just can’t accept it.
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When are both parties ever satisfied? What planet have you been living on?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Where did I say satisfied, I said agreeable to both sides. Union haters can’t stand it when things get worked out.
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Oh, quagmire. You’ll take any opportunity to take a shot at anyone with a different opinion than yours.
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Quagmire and others, when unions get more the customers pay more. I see their ‘increase’ as another form of welfare, sharing the ‘wealth’, redistribution on my income. If the union jobs weren’t so good, these mechanics would have to open their open repair shops, but that wouldn’t pay as well and would burden them with all the other aspects of running a business, it is much easier to just whine “I want mine”. I’d rather give my repair business to the little guy doing an honest days work in his own shop.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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This was between the employer and the employee and things were settled. If you don’t go to their business it’s not costing you a dime. Do you just worry about you or is it okay these people make a decent living?
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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If upper management decides to take more of the profits for themselves, the customers pay more. I see that as another form of corporate welfare, redistribution of my wealth – to the top. What’s the difference, abomination?
It seems easier, and lazier, to continue focusing your attacks solely on working people. You can see working people. But you hardly ever see the big-wigs up top, because they have the resources to keep the spotlight off of them. It’s telling that you’d rather see people working jobs that don’t “pay as well” in your words. You seem to place little value on people’s standard of living.
Hot debate. What do you think?
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I’m not anti-union and I support these guys, but it’s really hard to get behind them when you drive by and most of them are sitting under umbrellas on lawn chairs with their feet kicked up and their noses barried in their cell phones or ipads. On more than one occasion, I actually saw guys sleeping. Not a great way to get community support, fellas.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Samhane,
You are forgetting something, these guys are not getting their wages when they are sitting on the picket lines.
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If you weren’t being paid how would you act? I ‘m not trying to be a wise guy but what would you think they should be doing?
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I discussed the issue you with some friends not too long ago (some of which are in unions). Even they agree these folks often looked lazy and undeserving of any sympathy or support. To me, they look like they forgot they weren’t at the beach. Initially, the union members stood, held signs, waved at passersby and talked to those wanting to listen. That’s good enough for me. After a few weeks, these guys just appeared uninterested in what they were doing.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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samhane, fair enough thank you for your answer.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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Absolutely. While they’re not getting paid for striking, they are representing themselves professionally and it’s hard, for me at least, to argue the fact that you’re a hardworking person deserving more money / better benefits / whatever when you can’t even be bothered to stand up and look engaged and interested in what you’re fighting for.
Well-loved. Like or Dislike:
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I do not know about if they get strike pay now…..but they always used to get strike pay from the union when they were on strike…..at least they used to!
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$100 a week for the locked out ACS employees but they have to participate for 8 hours on the picket line. They can’t be receiving unemployment income. Not a whole lot of money to be made there.
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Is it true that when on strike you are not eligable for unemployment? I was told that a “strike” is voluntary so not eligable.
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True…in Minnesota strikers don’t receive unemployment. In the case of the ACS employees they were eligible for unemployment due to being locked out.
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come on all you Craak supporters. I want more rips on the unions. but…wait… oh yeah you guys have to ACT like you support unions because otherwise Craak won’t get re-elected in this district. Good luck walking the tightrope guys!
Hot debate. What do you think?
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Unions are worthless greedy entities, and union works are the lazy slugs.
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