why would Boeing machinists in SC reject union membership?

[littlewolf]

from what I understand it wasn't even close,
something like 75% voted against it.

[Lanius]

1. Maybe they were threatened behind the scenes or were lied to by those against unionizing?

Or maybe it's just another instance of working people voting against their own best interests?

[flyingfysh]

2. It's in the Deep South

People in that area hate the idea of unions. I never understood it either.

[still_one]

6. Yup. Norma Rae was part of that Deep South. It is republican "plantation mentality"

[still_one]

3. Its South Carolina, they drank the fox kool aide a long time ago

[flyingfysh]

9. They were that way long before Fox

I remember my dad giving long anti-union arguments in the 50s. Apparently everyone there thought the same way. (My relatives are almost all in the Deep South)

[guillaumeb]

4. Boeing hired a law firm that specializes in fighting unions.

And management held numerous meetings at which they tried to scare the workers into voting against the Union. All legal under US law.

[librechik]

5. generations SC have been taught unions are evil Russian Commie Invasion, so of course...

never mind, South Carolina machinists. Never mind.

[Doreen]

7. I hate to say this but unions are not always good.

The unions for the school districts in Lewis county Washington are pretty bad and do not work for those who are paying the union fees. The unions here are in bed with the administration. I also hear they are not that good in Thurston county either from what I have heard from some people I know. Voting for a union may not have done any good for them if all they would get was to pay their hard earned money but get nothing in return. I know how the unions in Lewis county school districts are because I worked for them and have several people who are friends who worked for them and one still working for them. I am split on my opinion of unions. I do hear that the teamsters still do well but I do not know anyone who is with that union so it is only hearsay for me.

[Caliman73]

13. Nothing is Always good. Unions are only as good as the people that run them.

Unions are generally good because they are collectives of people who want to bargain together for better wages, conditions, and benefits. They are however, human organizations and as such are only as good as the humans who lead them and participate. They are also supposed to be democratic institutions which can be changed, but it is hard work.

I have been in union chapters that were weak, and have been in chapters that were strong. I have been getting more involved in trying to change and improve the Union so that it is a good thing.

[HassleCat]

8. People there don'tlike unions.

"They take your dues every month and don't do anything for you." "They protect the lazy workers." "They're socialists." In the south, there is a strong racial component, with whites thinking the union favors black members, and blacks feeling the opposite.

[Hoyt]

10. Not saying it's right, but they believe Boeing would not have come to SC in first place

had the state been friendly to unions.

While the $32/hour average pay in the unionized plants in Washington Sate is better than the average of $23/hour in SC, the workers remember when there were few jobs in SC other than WalMart, dirt farms, or subsisting on pitifully inadequate welfare with little hope. The ignorant white wing workers also associate unions with minorities. That's really funny because prior to the 60s/70s, a lot of unions "protected" white workers by discriminating against minorities.

Again, not saying it's right, but it is the way it is.

[nikibatts]

12. They have been told that unions protect those lazy minorities so you should be against them.

[onenote]

11. Sadly, this is not a uniquely southern thing.

A number of the comments seem to think that the vote can be explained away as a "southern" thing. But the truth is that while unions historically been less welcome in southern states, they are losing ground around the country -- and it would be a mistake to dismiss it as a regional thing.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=1703922

[moondust]

14. Race to the bottom.

For one thing, fear of losing jobs to other states/countries. These Boeing jobs may not be at immediate risk (kinda hard to move airliner production?) but the next manufacturer looking for a new home may pass up their state if they find a more profitable environment elsewhere--at least that's what the Republican governor and his Republican union busters will tell them. Governors try to attract jobs to their states and may offer special deals on taxes, right-to-work, etc. More jobs will help them get reelected.

Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, once suggested putting factories on barges (so they could pull up anchor and move to a more profitable place at the drop of a hat).

Also, it's possible that Boeing management--based in a blue state--*may* be somewhat more generous/less rapacious/better to work for than some other companies based in former slave states. Workers may not feel a union at their plant is necessary.

[Amishman]

15. It's another symptom of the union image problem

A big chunk of the country views unions as corrupt, greedy, and overly political. Not much trust for them, so the workers choose not to rock the boat.