as you're told

  Had a very brief discussion on the merits of labor unions yesterday. Well, not really a discussion just an exchange of opinions really. Labor Day is a holiday to celebrate the "social and economic" achievements of the workforce. That is the official description I got from the internet. I see it as a sort of forced recognition. If your employer isn't showing you the proper appreciation or respect you feel you deserve, just make it a law that they do! The union was formed to do just that. It is the imposition of morality and an enforcement of ethics. A hybrid of sorts. Reminds me of Hollywood where they give themselves awards for doing their jobs. Unions were formed to be self-serving entities. They utilize a very old strategy, there is safety in numbers. That's the plan behind a strike. It isn't about the individual; it is about the group. A socialist approach. That was recognized very early on by American industrialists and unions were vehemently opposed. 

  On the surface unions appeal to people for a very basic reason, the promise of reward. They are guaranteed certain benefits like wages, vacations, and promotions. None of those things are merit based however, just joining the union, paying your dues, is enough. Those dues go towards paying the salaries of those "negotiating" the contract, among other things. And how is the one negotiating the contract empowered to do that? The big tool in their hands is they threaten a strike. What that means is, you can't go to work. Yes, you will receive some form of compensation while on strike, a portion of your wages paid for by whom? The other members of the union that are working, paying their dues. In most cases it is a deduction from your wages that goes into the "fund." And who is controlling the fund? Hint, it isn't the ones putting the money into the fund. Still, on the surface it all looks quite appealing for a simple reason, I'm guaranteed a salary. If I am told to go on strike, I will get some of the money I paid into the fund. In reality I'm taking money out of my savings account. Should that money run out, I will get nothing. Of course, a different group may be on strike and my money used to pay them, hey we are all brothers in the union. It isn't about me. It isn't for me. It is for the common good of the union. I am dependent upon that.

  In the beginning the union was to benefit the individual. That was the impetus in the first place. Employers were taking advantage of their workers. The expectations from the employer were viewed as being immoral. It just isn't right. And so, we needed a means to impose our moral judgement upon the employer. A rebellion was in order. If that employer was not going to recognize our worth, we will force them too! And that is exactly what happened. Labor Day was instituted to recognize the workers; we made our own holiday. Employers were forced by law to acknowledge that. That happened in June of 1894. A paid federal holiday. The workers got their reward/award that they felt they deserved. It took a great of rioting and unrest to get that done. 

 Then as the years passed the unions got greedy. The focus shifted to politics and control and away from the workers themselves. The truth is the workers became the tools of the union. The union leaders, the big bosses, those in the top tier control the workforce. And there it is, control. It is the willingness to relinquish control in exchange for an immediate gain that drives the unions. Individuals aren't important, independence isn't important, control is what is important. Forget about being independent! If you are independent, you have to earn things on your own merits. And you know that you are worth a lot! If they are unwilling to pay you your worth, what can you do about that as an individual? Not much other than retain your integrity and independence. Forget about that and just go with the crowd! 

 Union strong. What does that mean? To the average worker it simply means they will get higher wages, more vacation time and benefits. That all sounds just great. But what is the cost? A car today can easily cost 30,000 dollars or more. Not surprising if you look at the labor cost to produce those cars and all the products it takes to assemble it. Those in business, whether union or not, are in business to make a profit. They are not in business to enrich you! The cost of the product or service will be priced accordingly. When it costs the owner more to produce the product the price to the consumer will also increase. It's not hard to understand. 

 Labor unions spent over 1.8 billion dollars on lobbyists in the 2020 election. It needs to be understood that labor unions are in reality mini-governments. They hold elections to determine leadership. The vote is supposed to be secret. The leaders determine what issues will be addressed. Much like the federal, state and local government the leaders are concerned with satisfying their constituency. And like most elections the incumbent will win reelection, and the one with the most money will win that office when the incumbent doesn't enter the race. The union is not concerned with you, the little worker bee, beyond obtaining your vote and your money. The government imposes taxes to do that, the union imposes dues. Same principle. They will use your money for their purposes. Then they will tell you how much better off you are because of that. Just do as you are told, and everything will be fine. Forget about being an individual earning your way on your own merits. If you've got a business, you didn't build that" sums it all up. Surrender your independence and just do as you are told!