Posted on 02/11/2014 9:58:36 AM PST by Kaslin
Put this in the when-pig-fly category: I’m finding myself agreeing with something the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) did.
The UAW has long been seeking to organize workers at the Volkswagen assembly plant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and the moment of truth has arrived. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has scheduled an election for February 12 to 14 where workers will have the final say.
In the lead up to the vote, the union negotiated with the company to set the terms of Volkswagen’s neutrality in the election. Surprisingly, the union agreed to something that makes such perfect sense that it should set a new precedent for future union organizing drives, and perhaps even find its way into new rules coming out of the NLRB. The UAW agreed not to visit employees at their homes without being invited.
It doesn’t sound like that significant of a concession, but it’s actually tremendously important. The UAW, like so many other unions, have routinely paid employees a visit at their homes to, well, let’s use the word “persuade” workers to support labor’s organizing efforts. But all too often that persuasion turns into intimidation and harassment, especially when the visits happen repeatedly.
It’s no secret that labor organizers often resort to violence and coercion to get their way. Various members of the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE) in Philadelphia were recently sentenced to severe prison terms for committing attacks on non-union construction company executives and vandalizing company equipment. Shockingly, union bosses have successfully pushed for laws to be passed in several states that make criminal acts committed in the name of labor organizing completely legal.
So, it’s no wonder most workers would fiercely object to hearing a knock at the door at dinnertime and finding union organizers at their doorstep. At a minimum it’s an invasion of privacy. In reality, it is, and is intended to be, threatening. The message sent is we know where you and your family live.
The UAW’s promise to respect the privacy of workers at home comes at a perfect time. The NLRB is in the process of writing new rules to govern union organizing elections. Unfortunately, instead of providing greater privacy protection to employees, the proposed “ambush” election rule goes in the opposite direction, requiring employers to turn over to the union even more personal information about the employees. And there are no strings attached, no rules whatsoever about what labor organizers can do with that personal contact information. Under the rule, employers would be required to provide union organizers the home and cell telephone numbers, and personal e-mail addresses of workers.
The Obama Labor Board should revise their proposed rule to empower workers to control what, if any, of their contact information is shared with the union, and just as importantly, how that information can be used. For instance, one worker might decline to share their home address with the union, while another might agree to share their home address for the purpose of receiving mail, but not for physical visits at their home. Another worker may agree only to receive communication via phone or email.
It is important to note, workers provide employers personal contact information when hired not for union organizing purposes; instead, they do so to receive payment, work-related correspondence and in the event something unfortunate takes place.
Giving workers control over their personal information makes so much sense even the UAW agreed to it in Chattanooga. Now it’s up to the NLRB to give every worker in America the same protection.
We didn’t visit, We didn’t visit, We won’t do it again!
Guess what?
Union VIOLENCE is LEGAL!!!!
http://www.cato.org/pubs/pas/pa-316es.html
Policy Analysis
Freedom from Union Violence
by David Kendrick
David Kendrick is program director at the National Institute for Labor Relations Research.
Executive Summary
Under the Supreme Court’s 1973 Enmons decision, vandalism, assault, even murder by union officials are exempt from federal anti-extortion law. As long as the violence is aimed at obtaining property for which the union can assert a “lawful claim”—for example, wage or benefit increases— the violence is deemed to be in furtherance of “legitimate” union objectives. By the Court’s peculiar logic, such violence does not count as extortion.
The result has been an epidemic of union-related violence. The National Institute for Labor Relations Research (NILRR) has recorded 8,799 incidents of violence from news reports since 1975. Those reports show only 258 convictions, suggesting a conviction rate of less than 3 percent. Moreover, local law enforcement authorities often get many more reports of strike violence than journalists can possibly cover.
Many states have taken a cue from the high Court by enacting their own extortion laws with exemptions similar to those established by Enmons. As a result, employees trying to support their families during a violent strike are now denied protection against extortion under both state and federal laws.
Because the federal government for six decades has immersed itself in labor law under the rubric of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), federal action is necessary to see that violence does not accompany the exercise of powers created by that statute. One avenue for relief is the Freedom from Union Violence Act (FUVA), which targets all extortionate activity, even if committed by union militants in pursuit of “legitimate” objectives.
The only time I’d ever agree with the UAW would be if they announced their decision to disband.
You are right. I’m hearing that Germany is in favor of them unionizing.
IF it happens, it’s a matter of time before VW closes shop.
It really makes no sense for VW to unionize. Will be an interesting vote.
Is the vote by secret ballot?
Lots of moving surveillance taking place to find intervening sites to threaten the workers. And...who got to define “home”?
It’ll be enlightening to hear from the workers how this agreement is working. But honoring the word of a union is a fool’s errand.
In Germany something like 25% of the workforce is unionized. From VW's standpoint it makes perfect sense.
Union labor will somehow dictate higher quality materials and more ethical business practices?
Hmm.. How does the UAW know who to intimidate? THE ONES WHO DIDN’T INVITE THEM TO THEIR HOME!!!!
Big deal!! They promised not to be thugs....this time!!!
They cater to 1% who are gay and now they can cater to the other scum of society who might want to legalize all crimes.
Tenn is RTW, correct?
So I wonder how many will pay dues even if they get organized?
Interesting point. They did it for their own benefit
Yes it is
Wrong, it’s Fahrvergnügen or Fahrvergnuegen which translates to driving pleasure
Good for him. I would never let anyone tell me who to vote for, but I wouldn’t argue with them either. I would let them believe that I agree with them and then do what I want to do
I know that.
I wrote:
Fahr from nugen, as in ‘nudging’ the vote.................
Sorry, but that doesn’t make any sense
My understanding is that VW wants a German-style “workers’ council” to cooperate with managment on improvements in efficiency, safety and so forth. I bet they have no idea what kind of thugs actually make up the leadership of the UAW.
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