We will always be better served by facts rather than ill-informed political bias. Chatter cannot replace reality, the myth is indeed false.

If you actually believe that either side has helped unions or the value of the dollar, you just have not been paying attention, or perhaps you just enjoy a bad lie.



Union Membership: Overall (1948-2004)
U.S. Union Membership, 1948-2004
(numbers in thousands)
Year %Workforce Total members
1948 31.8 14,271
1949 31.9 13,935
1950 31.6 14,294
1951 31.7 15,139
1952 32.0 15,632
1953 32.5 16,310
1954 32.3 15,808
1955 31.8 16,126
1956 31.4 16,446
1957 31.2 16,497
1958 30.3 15,570
1959 29.0 15,438
1960 28.6 15,516
1961 28.5 15,400
1962 30.4 16,893
1963 30.2 17,133
1964 30.2 17,597
1965 30.1 18,268
1966 29.6 18,922
1967 29.9 19,667
1968 29.5 20,017
1969 28.7 20,185
1970 29.6 20,990
1971 29.1 20,711
1972 28.8 21,205
1973 28.5 21,881
1974 28.3 22,165
1975 28.9 22,207
1976 27.9 22,153
1977 26.2 21,632
1978 25.1 21,756
1979 24.5 22,025
1980 23.2 20,968
1981 22.6 20,646
1982 21.9 19,571
1983 20.7 18,633
1984 18.8 17,340
1985 18.0 16,996
1986 17.5 16,975
1987 17.0 16,913
1988 16.8 17,002
1989 16.4 16,960
1990 16.1 16,740
1991 16.1 16,568
1992 15.8 16,390
1993 15.8 16,598
1994 15.5 16,748
1995 14.9 16,326
1996 14.5 16,269
1997 14.1 16,110
1998 13.9 16,211
1999 13.9 16,477
2000 13.5 16,258
2001 13.5 16,275
2002 13.3 16,146
2003 12.9 15,776
2004 12.5 15,472



Sources: Union Sourcebook 1947-1983; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

 

How presumptuous of you. Provide the employment history of the OWS protestors and prove that they have never worked a day in their life. And no, links to right wing radio doesn't cut it. Show your work.

 

BLAH-HA-HA-HA-HA-HA!!!!!!

Now THAT'S the funniest post I've ever read...

Yea, great idea, post a sign-up sheet in the AOC, let me know how it works out for you...

 

That is strange, because I know several people in my family who are active in the OWS movement. My mom (a doctor), my sister (a doctor), my uncle (an engineer), and my aunt (a doctor) are all active members. When they inform me of what they are doing, I never hear them demand job (they are fully employed), demand to have their student loans paid off, and I do not even hear them demand for more money.

What they are demanding is fairness and in corporate America. After being faced with a 5% pay cut to help fund my former CEO's golden parachute he got for making horrible decisions, I can clearly see why they are upset too.

 

I was simply making a comment in jest with respect to the transportation secretary. Despite being a republican, he is very moderate and would have no place in the lock step GOP today. This ruling is the type of middle ground decision he is known for and is not anti-union despite the rhetoric. I appreciate the history lesson but it's not 2004 anymore. Perhas you need to update your data and include facts like, the recall effort in WI specifically related to the GOP governor stripping union rights. Perhaps including the OH voters overturning a similar effort by their GOP governor. Perhaps include the GOP controlled house trying to defund the NLRB and the push for " right to work" legislation. Maybe you can enlighten me with some recent data showing similar efforts by the other party so I can pass it along to our union heads who spend millions lobbying the DEMs. Which according to you is wasted cash since they are essentially the same.

 

This sure is a good discussion on "Safety: Accidents, suggestions on improving safety, etc", huh?

 

Good point and yes the thread has been hijacked a bit. But if we are going to successful in improving worker safety, we will need to have some proworker types in positions of power to make the changes. Obviously, there is some disagreement on who they are.

 

P.T. Barnum was right, there is a sucker born every minute. Look at the facts, you can't buy safety or a better job by greasing the palms of the corrupt. All you have really done is feed money to an industry based on false claims.

 

I'm sorry. I missed your facts showing similar efforts by the DEMs with respect to the efforts by Gov. Walker, Gov Kasich and the GOP led assualt against workers rights in the House led by Tea Party favorite Sen Demint. Jungle, I find your comments quite entertaining in a Limbaugh, Levin, Savage sort of way. But much like them, you are lacking substance. A simple historical list without any analysis is of little value. Unions in many ways have been a victim of their own success. Many of the things they fought for and won have become law. 40 hour work week, sick leave, vacation, workers comp etc. So many believe they are no longer necessary and are willing to be the "Frog in boiling water." Just sitting there heating up not realizing what's happening. It's no coincidence that as union membership has declined, income inequality has increased. We can sit by and watch the "walmartizing" of our industry and America in general or we can do something about it. Unions are by no means the panacea to cure the middle class issues. But it's obvious the GOP is not on my side on the union issue. So I go with the only other game in town. That's Pragmatism.........which happens to be the 2011 word of the year.

http://articles.businessinsider.com/...gaining-rights
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner...p-robert-costa
http://www.cwa-union.org/news/entry/...t_in_wisconsin

 

Blind political allegiance is always blind to the facts, you are welcome to peddle your politics somewhere else, I do find some amusement with your blatant projection of your own qualities on others.

Again, it is completely obvious that neither side has done us any favors, but they all love to talk.

I would like to caution you at this time that if you want to continue your political rants and unicorn hunts here you are going to get some time out in the corner. Pragmatism in 2011, it is a two edged sword.