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To: ajtj99 who wrote (95824)	3/27/2009 4:44:46 PM
From: koan	3 Recommendations Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116555

You and I have different opinions. As we live in a democracy we will let the people decide. >> Unions are not needed today in the United States of America. Anyone looking for unions to rise again will probably have better luck finding Bigfoot. As for some of the civil servants you mention, none need a union to represent them. Firefighting should be privatized. It would save municipalities billions, just like private sanitation services would. State workers do not need unionization. If the governor wants to cut wages, the people who do not like it are free to find other jobs. Educators do not need unions. They need accountability. That's the way the labor market works without unions. If unions get cost of living increases in inflationary times, they should accept the opposite in deflationary times without argument.<<

To: ajtj99 who wrote (95824)	3/28/2009 2:44:02 PM
From: marcher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 116555

"...If unions get cost of living increases in inflationary times, they should accept the opposite in deflationary times without argument..." one example of not really: two years ago the state of california was late (again) with the budget. once it was agreed on, the state employee cola was announced. within one week of the announcement, kaiser health insurance decided to raise costs for a local group of employees. the insurance increase demanded all but 1% of the cola. coincidental, not likely. so, in deflationary times should kaiser accept the opposite? why do we forget that union members spend money? why do we forget that part of a union member's salary pays health care costs for underemployed, nonunion residents? as union member salaries increase, tax revenues increase. a strong case could be made that union member salaries stimulate the economy and reduce crime. maybe the scandanavian countries have a better form of government and a healthier culture.