Capitalism has lost its path in the name of short-term profits. One by-product is the ridiculous sums of money paid to CEOs for mediocrity (hint: IBM) but dismally even for failing at their jobs (ref. 2008). This, frankly, theft mocks the sweat and tears of hard-working men and women of this country. The unions are quietly being disbanded - perhaps that is another ploy from the same toy chest of big money.
Everyone wins when workers stand up for workers. Fair and square is overdue.
-6nbi, The reason you find IBM to be that way is because there is no union in the first place. When a employees in a workplace are constantly in fear of losing their jobs; when they feel alone and helpless against executive actions that they have no visibility or control over, their workplace tends to become toxic. If a union was there to unite the employees and fight for them providing some semblance of stability, the workplace conflicts would reduce considerably.
Unions will never work in IBM because IBM employees tend to be self-centered around their own organizations and really have no incentive to care about other organizations other than what they can get out of them. Sales people want to make the same and the lowest cost so they fight with other groups that provide billable services. Tech sales wants software licensing cheap and support easy so they fight with the development and support center personnel. Even people in different geo/industry territories have no incentive to help each other. With this type of conflict and sub-optimization going on on a daily basis, no way you can get these folks to agree on a union, particularly the sales people.
Tell an electrician he's better off NOT being in the union, or a pipe fitter, plumber or teacher.
Have to laugh when IBMers who work with no raises year after year, constantly worried about when they will be laid off actually are against unions. Brain up please.
Yes @1ksp, unions must be putting up a good show otherwise the authorities wouldn't be desperate to dismantle them.
Median annual salary in this country is $50, 756.
Union would fight for that wage, on your own you will be laughed at.
Obviously legacy IBMers make far more, hence the major RA's going on.
They want rid of legacy IBMers big time, just look how many people over 15 yrs of service are getting let go right now. I don't see new IBMers working at the dumpy centers being RA'd and that's because most are making poverty wages and have no balls or brains to do anything about it.
IBM wants everyone doing the $40k shuffle and not to complain.
@cid Maybe they would have to cut back on their political donations and actually do something worthwhile for the members.
Heh. Looks like there is a plan underfoot to divide Indian railways to break up the biggest union in the country in order to privatize.
America has large unions e.g. Port Authority in NY but now union membership dues may become optional - which weakens the unions.
@gky - Every dog has its day. You might be gloating now but India will follow suit and it will be catastrophic.
Unions can't prevent bad managers from running the company into the ground, and unions can't prevent layoffs.
Want unions? Go communist. This is America, where it's every dog for himself. Those who can lie, cheat, steal, and bully rise to the Alpha. The sooner you learn that, the better you'll do in this country.
LOL. You can't compete with India.