I didn't say only unions are bad for business?

But unions good for business? Please elaborate.

Hmm, dare I jump in here? Arguing about unions is sort of like arguing about religion - you're not likely to change anyone's mind. But I'm a glutton, so here goes...

IMO, unions served a very important role in the early 20th centuries. Many of the people running corporations back then were greedy, ruthless and heartless - and yes they would put most of today's CEOs to shame in those categories. Unions organizers fought, and some died, to secure a decent wage, reasonable work hours and decent conditions.

In the "glory years" of the 50's, 60's and early 70's, unions were able to secure a way of life that really lifted the middle class in America. If it were not for unions, again imo, we would not be the country we are today.

But having said that, globalization has rendered the unions almost powerless. If a company wants to break the union, they don't need to deal with it. Just move the plant to the pacific rim, or source from there.

Times have changed. When unions say that they are trying to save good US jobs, I think their argument rings hollow. When they want to negotiate for more money and more benefits, etc., they hasten the move to other countries.

So, if unions REALLY want to save US jobs, there is only one choice; they need to bring the standard of living in other countries to a similar level as ours, so the wage/benefit cost differential goes away. If they want to save US jobs, they should be working in developing nations to organize there. THAT, unfortunately, would be a much bigger fight than their union forefathers had to fight. It also would mean that other countries might become as gluttonous as US, which would be really unfortunate.

Okay, "shields up, Scotty!"

Unions still serve an importants role. Many jobs can't be exported, try making power in the Pacific Rim and getting it to say Las Vagas.
The service industries also would be hard to export.
I'm not saying I agree with everything unions have done. I will say and some of us in our local agree that the UAW needs to give some ground on some of their contracts with the US auto makers. Lets face it over 72.00 an hour wage and benefits is a little excessive. On the other hand Managemant needs to tone down their perks too. I'm talking about ALL industries. I think most people will agree that the package that Lee Raymond got was obscene. I read that a snack food company I think it was in the UK let some people go, they got a bag of chips worth about .50 cents. One guy said it was bad enought to lose his job but that was like rubbing salt in the wound.kevin

2004 silverblue 5 sp.

Whoa, I didn't intend to start a debate on the utility or lack thereof of American unions. I think we all realize that unions play some role, if a diminishing one, in directing the consumption of their members (and people like my father who decide that it matters to them). My family could just as easily have ties to some particular manufacturer or some particular country in which cars are made- it's a basis for a preference, and I'm basically asking if anyone knows of information about the industry that would help persuade someone with that preference to get a hybrid.

I appreciate those of you who have responded so far, especially with the UAW link. Is there really nothing else out there?

My mom had a VW Rabbit car made in Germany and it worked perfectly until it was traded in on a very simiar VW Rabbit mini-pickup made in the USA. That pickup was the biggest piece of junk anyone in our family has ever owned. While I'm in a union, and while I try to support Union products, the "Rabbit-lesson" is alway on my mind.