The Owner and a Union

[Tobin S.]

Some of you may recall that I recently negotiated for better wages with the owner of the company that I work for. That's a pretty big deal around there. It's not a small business and many of the employees fear the owner. But he does have an open door policy and I took the opportunity and probably did better than anyone else at evaluation time. I got a 13% raise and a big bonus.

I've worked for this company for almost two years. Almost since I walked in the door I thought that my co-workers would greatly benefit from a union. However, after getting to know most of the guys there I knew it would never happen. The general perception there of union workers is that they are lazy and unions protect workers who normally wouldn't deserve their jobs. So I figured the main thing I should be worried about in such a work environment was looking out for myself, and that's pretty much what I've done.

I did not get that big raise merely on my rhetorical skills. I actually said very little when I talked to the owner. I do a good job, and when the owner asked around about me before talking to me he found that my immediate supervisor thought I was one of his best employees. He told the owner that he wished he had three more like me. I had that going for me (and I later thanked my boss for the good word) and I had another job offer for better money. So I had a lot of leverage when I went in there to talk to the owner.

But you know what? The owner said to me, and I think he made it a point to make sure that I knew this, that he would not tolerate a union at his company. He would close the place down for good before he would allow it to happen. I believe him, but I don't think he's ever going to have to worry about it. I couldn't force his hand if I wanted to.

[Grantuspeace]

1. I don't know.

I don't know if he would shut the place down. Phil Mikelson is moving from California and Olive Garden is going to slash hours to avoid Obamacare. Bottom line is his bottom line. He probably would still be making money with a union.

I have been in unions that worked closely with management on production improvements. It doesn't have to be all confrontational. And yeah, contrary to popular belief people got fired all the time.

Lastly, I was a good employee and was paid more than most if not all of my coworkers. The union sets the low end of the pay scale and didn't prevent merit raises.

[Tobin S.]

2. It sounds to me as if it's more of the principle of the matter to him.

And he's already got enough money to last him four lifetimes.

[Chan790]

3. Your owner is why I support stronger union laws.

I also support the repeal of Taft-Hartley.

For what it's worth, those kinds never shutter the business...they just opt to sell. Why throw away good money you can make by selling? If you can finagle it, buying it as a worker-cooperative is nearly as good as unionizing.

[Tobin S.]

4. I'm not finagling anything

I know the will is not there among my co-workers. There's no point in trying.

[Chan790]

5. I meant that more as a generalized comment.

How on Earth did strident anti-unionism ever take root in the rust belt though? You're in Ohio for chrissakes.

Your state is one of those places where the union was king...Michigan too, all of a sudden we're dealing with RtW crap and anti-unionism in places I'd never have thought it possible.

[Tobin S.]

6. I don't know

That might make a good thesis for one of my college papers. It might have something to do with conservative propaganda being more prevalent than it used to be. It seems like Limbaugh is on most AM radio stations, or at least one if not several of his clones are. Fux News plays in banks and fast food joints.

[Populist_Prole]

7. He sounds like a control freak

One of the more frequent memes I hear right wingers say latelt regarding this issue is basically "Nobody tells me how I run MY business!" or somesuch blather.

[Wounded Bear]

8. It often sounds quite feudalistic...

They think of their company as their own little fiefdom and they're the lord of the manor.

I've talked/message boarded with a few of that ilk in my time.

[OriginalGeek]

9. 20+ years ago I worked for a family owned boat manufacturer

It was made very plain and clear that the owner there would also never tolerate a union. He was also a fundie christian and, while I never experienced direct pressure from my supervisor, there was a ton of indirect pressure to show up early for prayer breakfasts.


They once brought in the Power Team for a demonstration that we were all "encouraged" to attend. I found it to be an opportunity to miss an hour of work and smoke on the company dime.


After a couple years there I was laid off when a luxury tax was implemented and they said their production would suffer for it. They are still there and I don't miss that nasty, hazardous work at all.

[Denninmi]

10. Alas, unions face a very strong headwind.

I always wonder just how far the middle class has to fall before they finally get it and fight back.

I had hoped Occupy was that moment, but it was not to be.

Someday ....