Post
by LVH2 » Sun Nov 12, 2017 2:42 pm
I'm not a fan of interpretations of the word freedom that reduce to live in the streets.
Most people have to get a job. Most of those jobs have co-workers. So you are pretty much compelled to associate with companies and co-workers. This is much closer to forced association than having union shops. Yet this is freedom because you could always chose to be homeless.
If those co-workers wish to bargain collectively, which seems to generally be in their best interests, it just doesn't work without some kind of union.
Most working people I've spoken to are excited to get union jobs. Just talked to an acquaintance who got one yesterday, in fact. Yes, people will bitch about unions once they are in them, as they are imperfect like everything. But, in my experience, people are more excited to get union jobs. Rarely hear people say, "I got a construction job, but unfortunately I'll be in a union." Though I have heard it.
I've had both, since as a sub, I was in the teachers union. I liked being in a union. When I wasn't, I had an employer that would openly announce that they were breaking labor laws. If I didn't like it, I could hire a lawyer with $20,000 I didn't have. That was freedom. If I'd been unfree and in a union, we could have kicked them squarely in the balls.
If you'd prefer a non-union job, they are much easier to come by.
"Right to work" weakens unions. At least, this is my understanding.
When unions are strong, you can always choose a worse, non-union job, if it bothers you to be in a union. When unions are weakened, it becomes difficult to get into one.
Freedom max: many union jobs to choose from, many non-union jobs to choose from. You can be in a union or not.
Feedom min: I have to work 3 part time jobs, I can't afford significant medical care, etc. I wish I could get a good union job, but I can't.
