Dock worker strike??

[Kiohio]

Speaking of foriegn labor, the american labor force has/is ruined/ruining it for themselves. I work for a small family run company (GREAT people to work for) that has ALWAYS had a low turn around on employees, until the last 3 years. It is unbelievable what this new batch of employees will say and do in front of management. The age doesn't really seem to matter either. By the same token we have quite a few foriegn workers in and around us (I live near a college town) and they don't seem to have a problem with working. As an example of our own workers: one guy when ASKED to do a task I have done myself MANY times looks at me and says "You're on drugs" another guy who called off when asked why(have to ask it's a Union thing) said, " I'm tired". As much as I hate too say it I really can't blame companies for moving overseas. BTW I've always been a Union supporter but I want a Union that looks out for the good employees not one that protects the worthless ones.
My $.02
Later, KO

 

[DavesTractor]

Good news, both my containers arrived yesterday that had been sitting in port on the dock for a month. Looks like things are starting to move in Oakland anyway. Dave

 

[cosmo]

The dockworkers are holding America hostage so they can earn five times as much money as the average American worker. Companies on the west coast are laying off their workforce because they can't get parts for production. The dock workers do not want to be efficient at their jobs, a crane operator can only work four hours before he gets tired and goes home and gets paid for a nine hour shift. I know people that would be glad to do their jobs for half their wage. The union is helping a handful of people, but hurting thousands of people that earn $30,000 a year or less. I belive that performance measures how you get to keep your job not by a union rep. Now some poor tractor buyer won't get to enjoy driving a tractor that should have been here a month ago. Ok I'm done. I hope everyone gets their tractors soon.

 

[JeffRey30747]

One of our containers was delivered yesterday, another is in Atlanta waiting on the delivery appointment and the third is temporarily lost somewhere between here and the west coast. Of course, the one that is missing is the one that we needed most to fill our customer orders.

 

[bruce1966us]

We have containers on the boats and tractors in Japan that can't be shipped because the steamship lines are not taking bookings. REAL PAIN!

Bruce

 

[EFC]

ditto

 

[YanmarFever]

Reed,
Can I get 2 more tires from you?
Ernie

 

[DarrenP]

One of the "new technologies" they are complaining about is the use of bar code scanners. The Union wnats to continue using paper and pencil rather than this new (ie 20 year old) technology. No wonder jobs are going out of the country.

 

[Anonymous Poster]

Union wants guarantee of no job losses and that computer operators are union. Technology does replace jobs and makes workers more efficient--which leads to higher salaries. Strategy employed by this union is what lead the US auto industry to lose market share to Japan.

Eventually, if US workers make too much, port jobs will move to Mexico, Canada and jobs will be lost due to competition.

Protection never works in the long run.

 

[tractorlet]

It seems like things go from the specific and tractors to generalizations. I have never joined a union. I was forced by law to be a member. I learned a simple truth verified by my experience and by history. When employers act unopposed they are ruthless. When unions become the strongest, they go for the throat. Neither side has a lock on reason.

What really works is two equally balanced sides with something to lose who recognize that and are willing to accept less than they otherwise would take.

The employer, the union, and the consumer all lose in a strike.

It is very shortsighted to believe the Japanese gained a large market share either in autos or compact tractors or other products because of unions. There are many factors above and beyond unions; unions are a minor issue in those areas.

U.S. ports aren't going down the tubes because of unions. This same thing has been going on for decades and decades and the shipping is still here.

Protection has always worked; feather bedding eventually disappears but protection has always worked in management and labor in the long run. The consumer usually gets it in the very short run.