This longshoreman strike will get ugly

[goldmom]

You start as a longshoreman at just over 80K and easily make 150-200 if you work overtime. The union wanted a 77% raise over 4-5 years. And zero automation.
I think the automation was a bigger issue actually.

 

[joelbc1]

Work stoppages are one thing; picket lines are another.

So are “lock-outs” and hiring of “scabs”…..

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Retired.

Were you ever a union employee?

 

[joelbc1]

Were you ever a union employee?

For a brief period of time, yes. For most of my working life, no. I was in a line of work where pay and working conditions were really never an issue……but there is a reason for labor unions and a reason they need to be available to workers as an alternative -…….

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Retired.

You had a lot to say to Trad about union life. . What union were you a member of? What can you describe with honesty?

 

[The Tradition]

So are “lock-outs” and hiring of “scabs”…..

Yeah, which is why I painted a different picture in the hotel workers strike thread. There are obviously no lock-outs in a hotel and as for scabs... who the hell else wants a job cleaning hotel rooms?

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

For a brief period of time, yes. For most of my working life, no. I was in a line of work where pay and working conditions were really never an issue……but there is a reason for labor unions and a reason they need to be available to workers as an alternative -…….

Expound. Please.

 

[Section25]

Do you honestly believe this tripe, Trad? Things have gotten “:better” granted……and they need to get a l,ot better. The plight of the working man is a work in progress….and without representation and negotiation power, the worker is nothing more than cannon fodder for corporate management. Profits and worker rights are diametrically opposed in today’s world of capitalism. If you like our capitalistic system, you have to accept the inevitable threat of worker stoppages.

Riddle me why union electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC Techs, welders, boilermakers have left union jobs for non union companies and are making more money, have paid vacation they don't have to pay themselves for, equal retirement plans or better to the union jobs and better on call pay?

Iowa City is heavy democrat as is Johnson County, but yet some of the largest companies in the trades are good paying non union companies.

 

[joelbc1]

You had a lot to say to Trad about union life. . What union were you a member of? What can you describe with honesty?

For a brief time, I was a steelworker…one summer back in the ‘70’s.
Who the phuque cares Kinnick? It has nothing to do with the conversation. I was in the workforce for over 40 years…I have eyes…I saw what was going on aroiound me…..I saw first hand what happened to middle America as politicians and corporations rid America of trade unions and squashed worker rights and failed to protect the American working man.

 

[TC Nole OX]

For a brief time, I was a steelworker…one summer back in the ‘70’s.
Who the phuque cares Kinnick? It has nothing to do with the conversation. I was in the workforce for over 40 years…I have eyes…I saw what was going on aroiound me…..I saw first hand what happened to middle America as politicians and corporations rid America of trade unions and squashed worker rights and failed to protect the American working man.

Word

 

[joelbc1]

Riddle me why union electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC Techs, welders, boilermakers have left union jobs for non union companies and are making more money, have paid vacation they don't have to pay themselves for, equal retirement plans or better to the union jobs and better on call pay?

Iowa City is heavy democrat as is Johnson County, but yet some of the largest companies in the trades are good paying non union companies.

And they are because…………..unions are there. Take away “the union threat” and these companies will start abusing workers again.

 

[joelbc1]

And they are because…………..unions are there. Take away “the union threat” and these companies will start abusing workers again.

And I have learned that you simply cannot “trust” any one these days…….The hammer has to always be near to keep everyone in line. That is human nature.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

For a brief time, I was a steelworker…one summer back in the ‘70’s.
Who the phuque cares Kinnick? It has nothing to do with the conversation. I was in the workforce for over 40 years…I have eyes…I saw what was going on aroiound me…..I saw first hand what happened to middle America as politicians and corporations rid America of trade unions and squashed worker rights and failed to protect the American working man.

Please continue.

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

Riddle me why union electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, HVAC Techs, welders, boilermakers have left union jobs for non union companies and are making more money, have paid vacation they don't have to pay themselves for, equal retirement plans or better to the union jobs and better on call pay?

Iowa City is heavy democrat as is Johnson County, but yet some of the largest companies in the trades are good paying non union companies.

There's no way!!

 

[MitchLL]

REPUBLICAN TEARS ARE DELICIOUS

Poor Trump, another losing argument.

 

[The Tradition]

And I have learned that you simply cannot “trust” any one these days…….The hammer has to always be near to keep everyone in line. That is human nature.

Then why the f*** would you trust union bosses of all people???? Holy crap, man!

 

[Kinnick.At.Night]

And they are because…………..unions are there. Take away “the union threat” and these companies will start abusing workers again.

What does this even mean? There is no "union threat." Anywhere. You might not have noticed, but the job market is sort of competitive. Definitely for skilled labor.

 

[MitchLL]

Our Radical Right posters seem really disappointed that they lost a talking point in their quest to disparage the Harris/Biden team...who obviously pushed both sides to come to an agreement.

But hey, I understand...Party over country.

 

[joelbc1]

You start as a longshoreman at just over 80K and easily make 150-200 if you work overtime. The union wanted a 77% raise over 4-5 years. And zero automation.
I think the automation was a bigger issue actually.

Im sure “automation” was the lead argument……the $$$ is nothing….there is plenty of it…it’s the future and jobs the union is concerned about. Money was never the issue here. If you think these folks make too much money….my suggestion is to move to the coast and get a longshoreman’s job….and share the gravy.

 

[The Tradition]

Our Radical Right posters seem really disappointed that they lost a talking point in their quest to disparage the Harris/Biden team...who obviously pushed both sides to come to an agreement.

But hey, I understand...Party over country.

THIS "radical right" poster has been consistently critical of union laws passed in the 1930s that have zero correlation to the workforce in the 2020s.

 

[seminole97]

What good will all that automation be when nobody is working and can't afford all those automated products.

The automation makes things more affordable.

When nobody is working will be close to heaven.

Let’s Hope Machines Take Our Jobs: We Want Wealth, Not Jobs

Well, we’ve already got a case study there — the sun. It gives us warmth and mangos for free. And how do we respond? We sit around and lazily enjoy it. So a machine that truly replaced all jobs would simply mean nobody works anymore — life’s somewhere between a non-stop party and a non-stop pleasant walk in the woods followed by a nice bonfire with friends and chardonnay.

We should all be so lucky that the machines do actually take every last job there is.

 

[joelbc1]

Then why the f*** would you trust union bosses of all people???? Holy crap, man!

Like a working man/laborer can trust management? Trad, you and I have seen and do see the world through different eyes.
Again…..look what corporations and management did to the working man during the 70’s thru and into this century…..look where the money has gone….and you say you van “trust” management to provide for the middle-lower class. I say “Bullshit!” They cannot be trusted any further than they can be thrown.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

The workers win again thanks to the union. American workers need to wake up and unionize more.

 

[joelbc1]

The workers win again thanks to the union. American workers need to wake up and unionize more.

Only IF you (the worker) wants an even chance.

 

[TC Nole OX]

REPUBLICAN TEARS ARE DELICIOUS

Poor Trump, another losing argument.

Our Radical Right posters seem really disappointed that they lost a talking point in their quest to disparage the Harris/Biden team...who obviously pushed both sides to come to an agreement.

But hey, I understand...Party over country.

They root against America every chance they get. They love this country but hate just about everyone in it

 

[The Tradition]

Like a working man/laborer can trust management? Trad, you and I have seen and do see the world through different eyes.
Again…..look what corporations and management did to the working man during the 70’s thru and into this century…..look where the money has gone….and you say you van “trust” management to provide for the middle-lower class. I say “Bullshit!” They cannot be trusted any further than they can be thrown.

This freaking longshoreman union boss is as crooked as they come.

C'mon, man....

 

[MitchLL]

THIS "radical right" poster has been consistently critical of union laws passed in the 1930s that have zero correlation to the workforce in the 2020s.

Union born regulations and benefits have even helped non union workers over the decades.
Are union perfect???? Hell, no.

If you refuse to acknowledge that, that's a "you" issue.
The deeper point here is you know unions have historically supported the Democratic Party, and that's the rub.

 

[Bearhawk0505]

This freaking longshoreman union boss is as crooked as they come.

C'mon, man....

Who cares if he is(I have no insight if crooked or not)? The workers are getting a little bit of all the money flowing to the top. Money they wouldn’t get without a union.

 

[The Tradition]

Like a working man/laborer can trust management? Trad, you and I have seen and do see the world through different eyes.
Again…..look what corporations and management did to the working man during the 70’s thru and into this century…..look where the money has gone….and you say you van “trust” management to provide for the middle-lower class. I say “Bullshit!” They cannot be trusted any further than they can be thrown.

Yes we've probably seen the world through different lenses. I climbed the corporate ladder but I certainly paid my dues along the way.

But this "destroyed the middle class" rhetoric is absolutely stupid. There are ALL SORTS OF EASILY OBTAINABLE JOBS that pay a middle class wage. Nurses is a great example. We need more nurses and the opportunity to quickly make six figures is easily obtainable if you're smart and you're willing to work hard.

 

[joelbc1]

This freaking longshoreman union boss is as crooked as they come.

C'mon, man....

If so, there are laws to deal with the lawbreakers……

 

[The Tradition]

If so, there are laws to deal with the lawbreakers……

He was on trial for RICO and his case was dismissed because the key witness against him turned up dead....

 

[joelbc1]

He was on trial for RICO and his case was dismissed because the key witness against him turned up dead....

And????
Or is that the whole story?
I suppose it’s a little cleaner and neater if the judge would have intervened and just ruled the charges were not appropriate…..but not everyone gets to appoint their judges.

 

[franklinman]

Like a working man/laborer can trust management? Trad, you and I have seen and do see the world through different eyes.
Again…..look what corporations and management did to the working man during the 70’s thru and into this century…..look where the money has gone….and you say you van “trust” management to provide for the middle-lower class. I say “Bullshit!” They cannot be trusted any further than they can be thrown.

Oh ya, the 70s, remember them well, You have to take a pay cut, You're making more than 4 yr degree managers. That contract we said hell no, and the corporations said fine, jobs will go overseas, and a lot did. I had some good contacts and when the time came. i took machinist jobs for Nasa. Retired in early 05. Lost all respect for upper mangt , corporations after that. FUC EM ALL.

 

[goldmom]

What does this even mean? There is no "union threat." Anywhere. You might not have noticed, but the job market is sort of competitive. Definitely for skilled labor.

When you argue with Joel (which is what he loves) you give him a thrill.

 

[goldmom]

Like a working man/laborer can trust management? Trad, you and I have seen and do see the world through different eyes.
Again…..look what corporations and management did to the working man during the 70’s thru and into this century…..look where the money has gone….and you say you van “trust” management to provide for the middle-lower class. I say “Bullshit!” They cannot be trusted any further than they can be thrown.

I hear things were pretty tough when they were building the Pyramids too. Can you fill us in on that? 🙄

 

[goldmom]

If so, there are laws to deal with the lawbreakers……

😂👍

 

[EasyHawk]

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Union workers tried to take advantage of an election. Not going to happen. They are going to get a pay raise. The real fight will be in January as they are still contesting automation (which IMHO is stupid for them to do). If I'm the union rep, I'd be advocating for my members to be trained on servicing automation equipment.

It makes zero sense not to let technology make things more efficient and cheaper.

Sorry Donald, you don't get to run on this issue.

 

[Huey Grey]

Looks like Mayor Pete was pivotal in helping to solve this.

 

[TC Nole OX]

Hannity is furious