Dad's union jobs

[Truth Teller]

My Dad grew up picking cotton in the south, a member of a large, poor, but tightly knit family. He served in WW2 and returned to the south, beginning to raise a family there.

Siblings of his moved north, and came back south for visits. Dad remembers how they would always return to see him dirty, worn, and living fairly poor. They seemed to be doing better than him.

They had union jobs.

He headed north and got one as well. He spent the rest of his working life at union jobs, first factories, and then at public schools. We had a modest but decent standard of living. He retired at 60 with health care benefits and a modest pension. Dad has passed, but my mother still draws on it.

Our family's life was starkly different because of union jobs, and I shudder to think of what will happen to families like ours if unions fade away.

[Omaha Steve]

1. Why more people don't get it, I have no idea

K&R!

[Truth Teller]

4. Thanks, and I admire your work Steve

I work in the office at a non-union auto parts supplier. The folks don't realize their wages ($14 hour production plus benefits)would be even lower if not for the ripple effect and precedent of the UAW.

[TheKentuckian]

2. Because many would be Republicans if they weren't insane on social issues

They love lubing up for the corporate masters and effective slavery for the people.

[Truth Teller]

6. Frustrating as hell

The social wedge issues detract from people realizing what the hell benefits them and other working families.

[iamjoy]

3. The Unions Are To Blame For Outsourcing

If they (Unions) didn't fight so hard to make sure corporations paid their workers a decent wage, made a safe work environment, gave decent benefits, etc. companies wouldn't have to go overseas to find labor to exploit. They'd be able to exploit labor here.

woo-fucking-hoo.

[Truth Teller]

7. HA!

If only we could win the race to the wage bottom! :)

[cosmik debris]

5. Thanks n/t