Except the management isn't negotiating with THEIR money as a private entity does. The "management" (government POLS) are "bargaining" with monies (taxes) taken in a progressive percentage system under the threat of sanction and imprisonment from others (taxpayers). The "rank and file" (public union members) returns some percentage of those monies to the "management" (government POLS) in the form of political contributions from the public unions (involuntarily from their members), often in exchange for preferential treatment from the very people they are negotiating with.

For example:

"SEIU alone has spent at least $187 million through combined lobbying, PAC and 527 group donations and expenses on candidates and policy issues – nearly 100% of which went to liberal policy initiatives and candidates."

So taxpayer money is funneled back to the very politicians "management" who are negotiating contracts with the "rank and file". The more the "rank and file " gets in negotiations with "managment", the more "management" gets back. Good thing the "corporation" has a budget surplus...oh wait...they don't.

What could possibly go wrong?

 

So to follow this analogy, since I ( and many other FedEx pilots) own FedEx stock, we should negotiate to reduce pilot pay and benefits as the cost burden adversely affects the value of my investment in FedEx.

 

Your analogy doesn't float. If you made more on the stocks then you did on the job I would suspect you wouldn't mind seeing a little more give back from the employee group. The simple question is do we collude or compete with management? Do we chip big bucks towards Fred Smith to keep him on the board?

 

It depends on your priorities and position in FDX stock I suppose.

If you stand to gain more from contract enhancements, negotiate for more pay. If you stand to gain more from the stock, advocate for your NC to lay down...pretty simple really.

As shareholders in our municipalities, states and nation I suppose we need to weigh the same priorities. Unless you are also a member of SEIU I suppose you'd lean towards taxpayer value.

Oh...can you imagine a situation where SEIU would stand with FDX ALPA if you get into a beef with Fred? Will you give them anything more than lip service should they get into a beef with Obama? Which of course will never happen.

So...perhaps it's all symbolism over substance?

Say it ain't so.

 

To use your analogy - paying taxes is like buying stock! If that were the case - I would have stopped investing (stopped paying taxes) long ago. There just isn't a good enough return on my investment!

 

You're not required to buy stock, you are required to pay taxes!

 

Well, yes. Your point please?

 

However, management is bargaining with a budget. How that budget is funded is irrelevant for this discussion's purposes.

I suppose you‘re correct in a far-removed, very general and esoteric sense. But esoteric doesn't cut the mustard.

The bottom line is that society benefits from public education, infrastructure, police, etc. There is a price to pay. Is it perfect? Heck no. But the corruption is not a default of the existence of public sector unions, its structure and/or public sector workers exercising their right to organize. The house cleaning needs to be done at many other levels. The easy way out of throwing the baby out with the bathwater doesn't address the cause, only politically perceived symptoms and insidious instant gratification.

 

If you can't see the difference between bargaining for corporate dollars versus tax dollars, I can't help you see my point of view!


And in response to your response to Sideshow. Management is bargaining with a budget that is not funded! Just Look across the states, cities, and federal level at unfunded liabilities! But they still sign those contracts and promise to find the money later! You're right if it were funded then how its funded is not relevant but since it isn't funded, then how you fund it becomes relevant!

 

Frank:

You get it, but Radial obviously doesn't. The unfunded liabilities for the federal government alone is well over $90 trillion, and even with virtually zero interest (which can't last forever), is growing beyond reach.

Oh well...unicorns and rainbows forever.