Happy Labor Day to my union brothers and sisters. I'm often asked about being a Libertarian and a Teamster and how I can be both. My response has always been that I do not believe they are mutually exclusive. Both believe that I should be able to sell my labor for the highest price the market will bear. Both believe that negotiated contracts should be upheld. Both believe that business run government is a bad thing. Both believe in a government of the people, by the people and for the people that stands up for the rights of all. So, you see, I have every reason to call myself a Libertarian and a Teamster and be proud.
I'm a lifetime union member (40 years) and the decline of unions has led this country to a greater disparity in income and a big boon to big business profits. Unions set the standard for safe working conditions, better wages and benefits ...now non union workers are at the mercy of big business which are taking more and more of their share profits and let the workers who made the profit possible "eat cake"... Hopefully the labor movement will rise again to greater prominence in years to come....
I am also a 40 year union worker with 30 years IBEW, the rest Teamsters. Our workers perform quality work, and the middle class has suffered due to the decline in membership.
The last statistic I read put union membership (public and private) at about 13% of the workforce. 13%! Unions are blamed for so much in this country. So tell me, how can 13% of the workforce control the other 87%? There is so much misinformation out there.
Happy Labor Day to my union brothers and sisters. I'm often asked about being a Libertarian and a Teamster and how I can be both. My response has always been that I do not believe they are mutually exclusive. Both believe that I should be able to sell my labor for the highest price the market will bear. Both believe that negotiated contracts should be upheld. Both believe that business run government is a bad thing. Both believe in a government of the people, by the people and for the people that stands up for the rights of all. So, you see, I have every reason to call myself a Libertarian and a Teamster and be proud.
ReplyDeleteI'm a lifetime union member (40 years) and the decline of unions has led this country to a greater disparity in income and a big boon to big business profits. Unions set the standard for safe working conditions, better wages and benefits ...now non union workers are at the mercy of big business which are taking more and more of their share profits and let the workers who made the profit possible "eat cake"... Hopefully the labor movement will rise again to greater prominence in years to come....
ReplyDeleteI am also a 40 year union worker with 30 years IBEW, the rest Teamsters. Our workers perform quality work, and the middle class has suffered due to the decline in membership.
ReplyDeleteThe last statistic I read put union membership (public and private) at about 13% of the workforce. 13%! Unions are blamed for so much in this country. So tell me, how can 13% of the workforce control the other 87%? There is so much misinformation out there.
ReplyDelete