Jazel I love the way that you and so many people use selective memory to make an argument to blame people. Lets try this again, in 2000 Bush has been blamed for the unemployment caused by, are you watching, THE DOT COM problem. Lest see, oh ya! That happened in the last part of the CLINTON era. Then in just 8 short months Bush again strikes and made the terrorist so mad we had 9/11. Then thru his FAILED ECONOMICS had the stock market well over 12K and unemployment the lowest its been for a long time until June of this year when DEMS and LIBS started talking about raising taxes. And now the bailout that the Democratic Controlled Congress is using to hand out money to all the evil rich people that caused the problems.
OH! And I guess that when these same evil corporations were "OUT SOURCING" during the CLINTON era, that was BUSH's fault too. Not to mention that the UNIONS were designing these contracts for the last 20 years.
Ya I can see your point. IF I SQUINT MY EYES AND LOOK THE OTHER DIRECTION!
Get a grip. Your not fooling anyone. BTW, I missed the memo, when did GOD come down and make the DEMS and the LIBS the saviors of the earth?

Darrell
Kennesaw

Problem with Unions is the stewards become politicians and instead of protecting the workers and negotiating for contracts that benefit both the employee and the employer, they play the wealth envy card and "demand" benefits that force employers to do as Neil's scenario suggests. I have worked in Union shops before where it wasn't neccesarily the wages that hurt the most it was the ridiculous hoops that had to be jumped through to fire bad employees or promote good employees. Also low production quotas that could not budged even when the work load demanded it. I worked for a company that lost one of their largest contracts (and consequently laid off half of their workforce) because they could not force employees to work overtime or step up production to meet deadlines. Matter of fact employees who tried to produce more were when there supervisor asked them to were admonished by their Union representatives as they were undermining their future employment. Who was undermining who?

Employers: if you treat your help decently, odds are they won't vote for a union (although "card check" is awful).

I was recently notified that I was being reclassified as "non-exempt" (hourly - eligible for overtime). I was on salary in a job where some extra time was needed now and then (no problem with that). My pay is the same but I have to wonder if our output will be the same if we're limited to 8 hours/day.

I doubt this was the company's idea.. it's probably the gummint's idea of "helping". I see it as just another incentive for outsourcing.

There is no "opt-out". I negotiated my compensation and knew what I was signing up for... but, no, the state has to "protect" me. Geez.

Look you can try to blame the democrats for losing your jobs...but for the past 8 years we have been outsourcing overseas (india for technical, computer support, sheduling for cable etc...) and (philipines for nursing, and biotechnology)...and we were in a republican administration. So now we are Changing and doing something different. Lest you forget...shortly after Bush got in office unemployment rate escalated and then to get our minds quickly off of the economy we went to war ...get it straight and put the blame where it belongs.

I work for a major defense contractor and employ over 100 employees and we have 3 unions and are already pretty much up against the wall with what we can do and say. The union can file frivolous grievances on nothing and you have to waste time proving your innocence. The original intention of unions may have been good intended but it has gone haywire. With this new bill, What's Next!

Don't forget that the mandatory arbitration provision is actually much worse for the economy than the card-check provision - pointy headed arbitrators deciding what employers will provide to employees 2 years no matter what the employer can actually bear? That is essentially socialism. But you can take action before it is too late. See http://www.EFCAexposed.com

How long will it take once this card check law is enacted before you see Toyota, Nissan, Honda etc.. all be forced to unionize under the UAW. I guess my next camry will cost an extra 2 grand because of it....

I own a business and all of my staff was notified that an Obama win would result in their jobs being terminated 12/30/08. This is precisely why. Learn more about why we can't put up with liberal emasculation of our society at goldenpansy.com

Dave Clark, Problem is the big three have been producing what the public wants to buy- SUVs and trucks. Now that it is inconvenient for the "typical" american to own these vehicles thanks to high gas prices, they now want to buy "economical" cars that the Big Three have been making all along and nobody buying them, had they been only making those cars they would have been out of business a long time ago. Problem is that demand has shifted so dramatically in such a short time, everyone got caught off guard. Why is it when a young couple is expecting their first child they go right out and buy a huge SUV? It is perception and demand my friend. Big three were producing what people wanted to buy! Real problem is people want way more than they need and are so intent in keeping up with the Jones". What do you think happened with the subprime mortgage business. People were biting off way more than they knew they could chew just to keep up with their buddies.

If GM, Ford, Chrysler were producing the cars yesterday that people wanted to buy today nobody would have bought them because they did not want them then. They do now only because they can no longer afford to drive what they own.

Why do you think Hoinda, Toyota, Nissan BMW, Mercedes and most of the other imports started getting into the truck and suv business- because that is what people were buying.

Sounds to me like the blind that voted for change (Obama) just might get it

Although I hate what the union concept stands for and what they do, I've been offered and plan on taking an electrian's apprentiship through the local IBEW. I just don't see any reason not to. The writing is on the wall. The age of union control over the work place is pretty much upon. This election proved only that freedom and liberty are pretty much dead in this country (or at least on its deathbed). So now is the time to buckle down and what I have to in order to take care of me and mine. Why should I bust my ass so that people who are too lazy to work right can steal my earnings?....to hell with all of them.

Ironically, this might be the greatest deterent we will ever have against illegal immigration.

The increased cost to operate a unionized shop will make a company less competitive. You either eliminate jobs, automate, or move overseas.

This policy may eventually create an economy with chronic high unemployment. There will be little job growth since it will be an expensive commitment to hire anyone. The unemployed and underemployed will demand more government support programs, which will be gladly provided along with increased taxes on businesses and their owners.

I see a death spiral here.

I was at the point where it was spend thousands on my 10 year old Chevy or buy a new car. This past weekend, we went shopping and ended up with a new Honda. Still American made but without the extra $$ for the union goons. I got more for my money. Read the writing on the wall, UAW...

I have total relief in knowing that even though I may not have a job, I do not need one because the Appointed One will provide all that I need: medical, insurance, housing, food, and retirement. So why do I need to work?

After 10 years, I was told that i was going to be a reduction on their budget. My bank is not even in the news but a big 3.

I employ 20 people. I have already started to evaluate how I can let 2 of my employees go. When taxes are raised on my business, I will immediately let two employees go. The ones left, if they want to keep their job, will have to work harder to cover the increased work load.

Spoke with some small town business owners over the weekend. They tell me WHEN not IF the minimum wage goes to $10/hour, they will be forced to layoff personnel and/or close. Now what !?