Plenty of nonunion jobs are being driven overseas, too. And those poor people have nothing in their contracts to get them severence pay, benefits, etc. when their jobs are lost. They don't have the option of buyouts, either.
If a company's that determined to go overseas, they'll do it, union or not.

Sure Rhody. But do you think GM wanted to close 4 domestic plants? It was the UAW's decision that unemployed union workers are better than giving in to reasonable concessions that forced GM's hand.

Well, that and the fact that there hasn't been a well-made American car since the sixties...

Mr. Wilson brings up another important point – whether or not union members can choose to contribute to political action. He admits to being unsure whether or not there are laws prohibiting unions from spending member’s dues on political campaigns. I was under the impression most union members have no choice, most of their mandated dues will go to fund political interests and causes without their permission (certainly one of the most un-democratic processes that exists in our country). Does anyone know exactly what goes on with respect to union dues and political fundraising?

Sorry that should have been Mr. Bovenzi, not Mr. Wilson

Frank,
What really irks me is why a non-profit labor union is even allowed to enter the political fray. If it was the church, they would be screaming to take away their non-profit status.
Bob

Greg, the auto industry's moguls brought plenty of their trouble upon themselves by putting so much emphasis on building SUVs, Hummers, etc.
I don't believe union folks were at the table when those decisions were made. If the UAW had a voice in that decision and was rah-rah about making fewer fuel-efficient cars and more hulking gas guzzlers, then yes, it bears some responsibility.

"What really irks me is why a non-profit labor union is even allowed to enter the political fray. If it was the church, they would be screaming to take away their non-profit status."

... wait a minute. Unions are not taxed? I suppose they get around that by forming PAC's. But then, why can't a church form a PAC?

Frank,

It is ILLEGAL for a union to use membership dues for political activism. Some unions form PACs for this purpose, membership donations to which are completely voluntary. Even solicitations by the PAC for donations from union members is limited by law.

Paul Bovenzi's response is typical Union garbage, but at least it reinforces their moronic views that, in turn, reinforces the publics resolve to rid ourselves of them.

On the one hand, Bovenzi writes: “Mr. Wilson apparently has a very low opinion of the members of Unions, and very little faith that they can think for themselves.”

Yet he follows that up with: “My Union lets me know which candidates may have the same viewpoints as me.”

How and the hell does a Union know what the viewpoints of its individual members are, unless of course, the members are like simple-minded sheep that all think alike and move in lockstep, which in fact is the case.

In other words, it is EXACTLY as Mr. Wilson describes.

Bovenzi also writes: “There are jobs (teaching and otherwise) that are not Union. People have a choice.” The bigger issue that he dodges is that the people paying the bills don’t have a choice. We are saddled with Union teachers, unless we want to pay twice (taxes and private school tuition).

Is Mr. Bovenzi and his Union willing to let there be real choice, both through passing Right To Work State legislation and by letting the people paying the bills decide where they want to spend their money via vouchers / school choice? Is he willing to let the Free Market and competition determine his worth?

Bovenzi further writes: “the Union members I know are all happy and grateful to be part of a Union.” Of course they are! They don’t have to compete in the real world. They have ZERO accountability with respect to RESULTS and PERFORMANCE (or more accurately, lack thereof).

The good news is that people across the state are waking up to the fact that the Unions are destroying the state. I almost feel bad for the Bovenzi’s of the world trying to make it on their own when the taxpayers say “game over”.

EMT,

You are right.

Instead of using membership dues for political activism, they use TAXPAYER FUNDS, as was the case with your boy, PFD Union Pwesident Lazy-Ass Pauly "No Show" Doughty, who didn't show up to work for 3+ years while collecting a Taxpayer funded paycheck & benefits and instead spent his time doing Union "work" and political activism (e.g. threatening to "strike" a Hillary Clinton political fundraiser).

EMT,

A quick internet search revealed that RI is one of 34 states that ALLOWS the use of treasury funds (union dues) for political purposes. If you know of any law that makes it illegal for union dues to be used for politics I’d like to know what it is. Thanks.

Frank, sorry it took me so long to reply. I honestly was under the impression that it was a federal law- several national union PAC websites mention the same thing. That's why they had to start PACs in the first place.

EMT,
No sweat. It isn't the first time you were wrong and it won't be the last.

Blind faith and "unabiding respect" for Unions and their entitlement minded members tends to cloud one's judgement.

My hat's off to you for acknowledging your error. Perhaps you could help your pal Tom "Giving Selflessly" Kenney acknowledge his errors as well.