Lisa Jones wrote on Jan 23
rd, 2023 at 8:40am:
Gnads wrote on Jan 23
rd, 2023 at 8:04am:
That would upset all the non contributing leaning scabs that now infest the workplace.....
they take the money, the conditions & benefits and never batt an eyelid of guilt
the lowest of the lowest common denominators.
https://amp.smh.com.au/politics/federal/top-state-unionists-push-actu-on-fees-fo...Gnads -
I'm not happy with you this morning. What you're REALLY saying is this : If I can't do my job in recruiting more members (mind you I myself command an obscene salary) I should be protected by law so I can go about punishing those who refuse to become members to the tune of $550 per annum???
You do realise that Keating, Rudd and Gillard thought this wasn't right.
So why do YOU think it is?
Especially NOW .... right off the back of an unresolved global pandemic driven recession with rising inflation and rising interest rates? Like I actually give a rats arse.... seriously?
When I first entered the Railways in 1973 I joined the relevant Union after I was shown exactly what Unionism had bought to the workplace for the benefit of all employees.
Any fair minded person could see the reasoning there.
At that time
anyone who chose not to, objected to & refused to join a Union relevant to their classification (there were many classifications in a railway) would have an equivalent amount of money to their applicable Union dues deducted from their pay every fortnight by the Employer to be given to a nominated charity.It was a good idea & a fair result for all. Even the employer realised that.
It only changed when slimey Johnny Howard got into the seat in 1996.
Opened the door to all the leaners & scabs who are prepared to take & not contribute - Jasins testament to that.
The same sort of people that come running looking for Union assistance when they think they have been wronged by their employer.
8 hr day, 5 day week - now a 38 hr week, annual leave, sick leave, maternity leave, compassionate leave, cultural leave, meal breaks,workplace health & safety, superannuation, workplace amenities, reasonable hours of work etc. etc.
All part of what Unions have won for their members & not one bit of that was ever given freely out of the goodness of their hearts to workers by employers.
Regarding your 1st paragraph .... don't tell me you're a Union Rep? None that I know are on or commanding obscene salaries.
$550 per annum = $21.15 per fortnight.
The Union dues as Locomotive Driver of my former Union the RTBU is
$29.40 per fortnight = $764.40 per annum.
Other Unions & occupations there covered have much higher dues.
So $550 is a more than reasonable contribution.
Otherwise those who chose not to should forgo any of the above mentioned workplace wages & conditions negotiated & won by Unions.
Thank you Grandpa Gnads for that anecdote (which clearly belongs in the realms of ancient history).
Unions are not just passé....
And that's why union membership in Australia is more IRRELEVANT than ever. 👇