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Readers Speak Out: Politics, Unions and the Civil Service

Unions

Claims Examiner
DOL
Mon Sep 27, 2004 10:05 AM

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Go ahead, if you think Bush is a friend of Federal employees, vote for him. Just remeber this, when you get your next COL pay raise the unions are the only ones who argued un your favor of getting it. If Bush had his way, you would have been contracted out of your JOB, and would be working for a private entity if you were lucky for a much smaller salary with little or no other benefits. I'm sticking with Kerry.

Re: Unions

Mental Health Specialist
Human Services
Tue Sep 28, 2004 8:54 AM
Amen! You hit the nail right on the head. If Bush had his way, Haliburton would be in charge of all jobs and they would be bringing in people from 3rd worlds to work at poverty wages like they are doing in Iraq. A friend of mine just got back from there and things are even worst than what is being reported in the papers. Of course Bush and the Republican Party don't want us to know about that! It is easy to sit back and criticize unions but they have helped more than they have hurt us. My vote is for Kerry too.

Labor Organizations

Director, Human Resources (Ret)
DOD
Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:30 PM

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Early in my career I became an elected union official. I did this because I saw the poor leadership that was demonstrated at every level of the union organization. They blindly followed the Democratic Party without regard for what was best for the "total" workforce. The only way to bring about a change I had to get on the inside. The federal labor organizations are not effective, they hinder mission accomplishment and are a poor buy for the dues dollars. When will the workforce awake and dump the bums!

Re: Labor Organizations

Labor relations
DeCA
Wed Sep 29, 2004 1:05 PM
It seems that the(ret) Human resourse director took that Union office for his on political gain and it work all the way to director huh and now you have the gaul to talk about the people and the system you were suppose to be representing you are a prime example of how unions get a bad name also the polls are not even and I can tell you why. Most blue colar employees do not have a cumputer at there desk to answer the polls so it is mostly made up of high ranking GS employees and Managers who are against unions and love dictatorship like bush wants instead of being humane and fair remember folks the rest of the US mostly follows what the federal work force does we are going back in time if we give up all these rights and we will be making America a mean place to be like the movie thunder dome

ER Specialist-I have questions

Union officer
DoDc
Mon Sep 27, 2004 12:59 PM

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Since 2000, audits of unions have sharply increased. I believe that of thousands and thousands of union officers, only five convicted is a testament to the fact that unions are beating the odds. How many management officials have been caught in their schemes for personal gain recently? Some bad judgement or criminal activity, does that mean that all unions are bad anymore than because some agency officials are bad all agencies are bad? Personally, I believe there should be the check and balance management and labor create by functioning together. It works in the government at top levels of law making. And, no, it isn't perfect but is better than any other form of government. I believe union-management relationships while not perfect either are better than any other option. I'm not willing to go back to the atrocities that were perpetrated on labor before unions. The good old days were not so good for those locked in fire traps and those working 14 hours daily seven days a week.

Get involved!

Civil Engineering Tech
Corps of Engineers
Mon Sep 27, 2004 3:02 PM

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A lot of negativism towards Unions, and alot of other volunteer organizations stems from both Union Members and non-members lack of knowledge. Most Federal Local Unions are volunteer.

They would rather be a non-member, sit back and criticize than be a member and champion a plan for change.

If you do not like what the Unions have done, give back the 20% raise over the last 4 years, work 70 hrs per week for 40 hrs pay, work at the office and not "at home", give back the transit subsidy, give back the alternate work schedules. Most HR professionals, will tell you that employee benefits were championed by Unions in partnership with their congressman. Those that disagree are wearing rose colored lenses. How is this so different from what any other organization is lobying for in congress? Remember that these benefits are not just for Union Members but for non-members and Management as well!!!

I don't know the good and the bad about every Union, but I do know my own. I've experienced bad Unions with my father and my mother, but they still stood on that picket line when they were called, because they knew that solidarity meant everything.

You can not change things from the outside unless you have help such as your congressman. Union leaders are elected, the same way our Congressman and other elected officials are. Some of your readers would probably have the nerve to sit in their homes and criticize the Community Block Club for not doing a good job while not being a member.

You need to get involved. You are probably part of that 50% that doesn't vote either!

Total Comments: 20
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