jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

It's hard to find work when there are no businesses in the area.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/from-belief-to-resentment-in-indiana/2016/05/14/d1642222-16fa-11e6-924d-838753295f9a_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_rainbow

Related article -

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/is-mexico-the-next-silicon-valley-tech-boom-takes-root-in-guadalajara/2016/05/13/61249f36-072e-11e6-bdcb-0133da18418d_story.html?wpmm=1&wpisrc=nl_rainbow

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Ever think of a futuristic scenario that the US could become like the other countries where everything is made someplace else? Where there will be so many people here unemployed because there is no longer sufficient business here to employ them, that we will become like those countries where the work is moving?

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

Just think what will happen if minimum wage goes to $15/hr? Americans refuse to face the labor problem that union workers make way too much money for the jobs they are doing, and it costs the companies too much money for these union workers and all their benefit demands that put the costs of producing their product way out of line with a comparable product imported from another country. America cannot afford unions anymore, and still provide jobs for those who want to work. Parents are pushing their children into colleges and universities at an alarming rate, consequently we have a scarcity of sk**led trades workers like plumbers, electricians, carpenters, etc., who have also climbed on the high wage per hour bandwagon and prefer to work on new construction, so, trying to get one of these trades people to work on a residential home is nearly impossible. What we do not have is a scarcity of lawyers. There's just too many of them waiting to sue the daylights out of anyone that they can spin the law around to encompass, and because of them and their litigious ways, insurance costs have sky rocketed. So, how does this affect companies moving to Mexico or elsewhere? Simple. No unions with business k*****g demands, no business smothering laws passed by legislations overrun by lawyers passing laws for lawyers, and people more than willing to work. America has economically shot itself in the foot.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

About sums it up, unfortunately.

T_Span Loc: Northern MI

It seems that some folks have forgotten how and why labor unions came about.

These words are true whether you want to believe them or not: A majority of employers will exploit their subordinates to sooth their greed (railroad, coal, auto, oil and all trades...........) at the expense of their employees health, welfare and often times lives. Before unions there was zero respect for employees. Preying on the less intelligent is NOT what Jesus Christ would support. Placing monetary value above human life is NOT what Jesus Christ would support. Profit margins and executive compensation has skyrocketed in the past three decades. Wages, on the other hand have been pretty much stagnant. Is that due to "unions"? In 1983 out of the total US work force, 20.1% were union members, in 2015 it was 11.1%. Has 11% of the total US workforce really ruined things for everyone? Get real!

An attempt to blame labor unions for these difficult times is ludicrous. In the passed 25 years, labor unions have evolved their stances concerning the gluttony of the past. Unlike corporations. Sk**led labor unions actually contribute a higher standard of craftsmanship to this society by requiring additional training than a single employer could or would, and by stressing safety. The ire towards unions, in my belief, is a hand me down that folks will believe without giving the concept its due diligence. In my life, I have seen employees with missing digits, limbs, scars and such. In my earlier memories, these people got zero to a skimpy compensation from their employer for their loss. How many men lost their life in mining "accidents"? Or, died a slow agonized death from black lung? As unions gained traction, injuries came down and compensations for injury went up. Is that a bad thing?

This told to me from a man who had worked for Henry Ford at the Rouge complex and was effected by an "accident". He was near an electrical t***sformer that exploded and spewed hot oils over a half dozen employees. This happened way back when, after WW I. Each employee was given a twenty dollar bill with their pink slip. Didn't matter how severely they were injured or whether they could ever work again. The result was loss of employment plus 20 bucks for the luck of their work station location.


As for the shift in manufacturing: This is 2016 and our world has opened globally, accept it. The citizens of North America have experienced some great economic times since WW II, yes it is difficult to see it dissolve. Unfortunately most major manufacturers have little to no country loyalty. For the corporations it is all about larger profit margin and better compensation for less than a few, at the expense of the many. They care not for other members of the society that they enjoy secure living quarters.

2Dragons Loc: The Back of Beyond

Unions were necessary 100 years ago as working conditions were terrible, however, we have more than enough government rules, regulations, and OSHA, to protect workers today, without having to pay "protection" (union dues) money to union officials. There are certainly enough lawyers out there willing and able to file class action suits on behalf of employees should the situation arise. I've known quite a number of union workers (some friends) in my years am appalled at the money they make for how little they had to do to get it. And union workers, not all, just love to play their system. I know from first hand as my other half's job at one time was to go around to different union company shops for the company he worked for, to troubleshoot and straighten out the productivity levels, and most of the problem was union employees who'd had their managers intimidated by shop stewards and it was a case of the tail wagging the dog. The employees were running these shops until they were confronted with someone who knew how they played their game, but could play it better.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Well said 2D**gons.

T_Span Loc: Northern MI

There is no doubt some accuracy in what you state, however you speak with a very broad brush. As is already known, "labor unions" are a dwindling minority. If you, or your spouse, has followed the evolution of organized labor groups around the country in the passed 20 years, you would know of the reversal of philosophy they have taken. Labor and management have both moved closer to the middle than at any other time in the last 70 years.

Why are you appalled that someone should be well compensated for their sk**ls and expertise? Will you work for next to nothing?

Very few labor unions have much clout to assert a "protection" strategy. In the carpenters union I am a member, we were hired on demand and fired on demand. Meaning there is no reason necessary for termination. And, for 32 years I worked 40 years worth. Believe these words, slacking is not allowed.

The t***h is this; Unionized labor did NOT cause manufacturers to go overseas.

exakta56 Loc: Orford,New Hampshire

The collective comments here, to me, seem to be on the mark. Capitalism is not a dirty word..however when jobs here are lost to other groups who must work for peanuts and competitive pricing forces costs reductions..highly paid labor is going to the chopping block. You and I may see the t***h of this. However, ask yourself this: how is it that Germany is doing so well? Many smal family owned businesses with secure jobs. Just like the old days here. How can they do this?

srron Loc: Courtice,On.

Up here in Canada, unions have been instrumental in bringing about benefits for all working people, like universal health care, workers compensation, health and safety standards, Canada pension plan, to name a few. Would those who are critical of unions be willing to give up these benefits.

dalematt Loc: Goderich, Ontario, Canada

My son and daughter-in-law worked at the same place in jobs that had no union. The company moved to Mexico. My son was required to train a guy to do his job if he wanted any financial compensation for 6 months. They both have found new jobs, but not in their fields. By the way, no one from the company could t***sfer from Canada to Mexico.

richosob Loc: Lambertville, MI

I to lost my job to China. We were making parts for Holley Carb. from Bowling Green, KY, I enjoyed my contact with them and visited the plant several times a year. When we heard they were going to give our work to China we were all devastated. We couldn't believe it, how could they do that, they were our customer for 50 years. But it was true, I was 58 when our plant closed and I was worried about the future. People would come in from a local job search company and tell us that 60 is the new 40. They want folks that have the knowledge we learned in our careers. It was a load of crap, I spent months sending out resume's and cover letters and not once did I get a reply or an interview. I can see why people are turning to Trump, but it all comes down to profit for companies and not loyalty. I hope he can help this country if he is elected. The middle class is dying in this country and I don't know if it can be stopped.

Rich

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

it's very sad, but we are getting just what this administration promised us!!

jm76237

People who get enough government assistance to survive every month won't take a minimum wage job. Why? They can survive without it. That number is very close to 50% of the country. Think of that v****g block - v**e for someone who want to keep and increase those benefits or someone who wants to reduce them. Hmmmmm, who do you think they will v**e for. Because of the shear numbers, this isn't going to change. We are fast becoming like the PIGS (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain).

gtarzan

As the article states, the middle class is down from 61 percent of the population in the 1970s to just 49 percent as of last year. A result of not having union jobs.