Political & Elections

longprime · Guru

Did Hostess closing down kill the Unions?

longprime · Guru

In the case of unions:

The Columbia River ports, for these 3 union jobs, other unions and ports are being affected.

When DW worked for Drakes, there were many unions and any one union could shut down production. I haven't any opinion on this matter. Labor and Management both have an vested interest in having a successful enterprise, but each have roles and goals.

longprime · Guru

Not sure if the cakes had a preservative- Since we don't eat these foods, I forgot if there had preservatives. Could be the osmotic pressures-low water content that kept the foods "fresh" My problem with flat breads (latino breads is that they do have preservatives, where they really don't need them or can do with smaller amounts. )

Made my own flat bread for breakfast today. And odd thing is that I ran into a garage sale today where the family made their own brie cheese and ground their own grains for breads. Their problem is that they use a bread maker (one loaf at a time) rather than make a larger batch. We need to get together with them.

longprime · Guru

DW ran the devil food cup cake line (HiHo ?) at Drakes- NJ, mid 70's, until she got a job at Orowheat-Greenwich. Do you know that the cakes taste just as fresh after 10 days as hours old. You also can recycle cooked cakes back into the batter mix.

There are too many unions involved in many industries-Bakery industry has too many unions (possibly mob influenced) that management must deal with on an individual basis.

Portland OR -entire Columbia River seagoing container freight will probably close down because of 3 jobs in competing unions. It's not even about wages or benefits but which competing union gets the jobs. Management doesn't care which union, although they had an agreement with one of them and can't have two agreements with two unions doing the same job.

pima · Guru

Hostess and the union played chicken, and I think they really believed Hostess would not close their doors. The fact that they did begs the question will other unions now think twice in the future regarding their demands? Will they believe that the business is willing to walk away from the table?

Anyone and everyone knows to re-negotiate a union contract the owners must open up their books for the unions to analyze. I am assuming this occurred, the question than is why did the union reps think Hostess wasn't being serious?

Will union employees now backlash on the unions. Let's face it they pay dues, sweat shops no longer exist, child labor laws are in place, along with equal opportunity (ironical because usually to get a good union job, you need an "in"), sexual harrassment, etc.

I know bus is probably in a union because of her job, and I am curious for those that are in unions, are you in one because to have the job you have to be in it, or do you believe that there still is a need for unions.

I can't recall when Gov. Christie had his fight with the teacher's unions, but it was an eye opener to see that one of the biggest costs to the state education budget was PENSIONS.

We talk about the fiscal cliff. Look at the unions, and you can see why we can't afford the social programs to grow at the rate they are growing currently. Our society is getting older and living longer, baby boomers are starting to retire at a higher rate, while less people are behind them to add money into the pot.

Want to see where we will be in 10-15-20 yrs look at the unions now regarding how much is paid out in pensions...that will be SS and Medi-care.

Hostess closing their doors, and the likelihood that they will be purchased did more damage IMPO than the unions ever imagined. They will keep the non-union employees, and when they do hire on new line workers, there is no guarantee that their pay will be at the same rate, nor they will go to union workers. They in effect may be seen as the start of the end for unions.

A job is better than no job.

longprime · Guru

Heathcare:

there is an recent article (WSJ ?) where some tech companies are giving employees a lump sum to purchase their own insurance which in turn forces insurers to be more competitive. While other companies are improving HI to retain employees.

I've encouraged DS to be self insured as much as possible and not to rely on the company's plans.

So what do you do when companies that offer HI does so at a fully tax deductible expense whereas a self-employed or employed person must buy HI at nongroup rates and not deductible until 7% medical expense is exceeded?

-- Edited by longprime on Sunday 18th of November 2012 01:00:37 PM

pima · Guru

longprime.

1. I am not shocked with your 1st statement. The fact is it comes down to PRESERVATIVES, not unions. Look at a Twinkie, there is no expiration date. No offense, but what does that fact have to do with unions?

Nothing! It is about preservatives.

2. Do you understand union negotiations with management?

If a company has unions, and they say they can't abide by the contract, the company must open their financials books to that union to prove the company will go under.

In the end my question remains the same...what good as a worker comes from belonging to a union? Did Hostess shutting their doors prove to workers that the need for a union no longer exists? Will other companies that have union employees follow Hostess? How safe is it now for union employees?

Obama saved Detroit mainly because of unions. What about electricians? What about SEIU? Best Western is a franchise.

How is healthcare going to impact the franchises that employ union workers?

-- Edited by pima on Sunday 18th of November 2012 11:26:03 AM