Any union guys in here?

[snapping turtle]

Keep the mouth under wraps till you become a journeyman. IBEW 481 here.

Then feel free to say and vote whatever you deem best for you. Don’t think the hall is going to do much of anything for you. I pay my dues first if the year each year get a new travelers paper in case I need it and that other than contract negotiations is the only time I see them. Once a year.

 

[Grump01]

Always voted my way no matter what the union seemed to push for...........

 

[Usmccookie]

I had a couple beers with the president of local 134. I got the distinct feeling he doesn't vote iaw the emails our business manager sends out. Might explain why he's getting the boot.

 

[04FXSTS]

I have had union jobs and non-union jobs, three different unions and one was two different locals of the same union, UAW. They all pushed the democrat party with the UAW being the worst. I never bought into it but some sure did.
Went to school with one who hired into a UAW General Motors foundry right out of high school. He has never voted anything but democratic because that is what the union told him to do. He knows nothing about what goes on in the world except the democrat talking points.
These people don't understand the union is not telling them to vote democrat because it will be good for that member. The union is telling them how to vote because it will be good for the union. Jim.

 

[Clark & Addison]

Was in the NEA when I was younger. Got tired of paying dues to promote democrats and liberal causes that had nothing to do with my job. Never influenced how I voted.

 

[churchmouse]

Keep the mouth under wraps till you become a journeyman. IBEW 481 here.

Then feel free to say and vote whatever you deem best for you. Don’t think the hall is going to do much of anything for you. I pay my dues first if the year each year get a new travelers paper in case I need it and that other than contract negotiations is the only time I see them. Once a year.

I treated my hall pretty much the same way. WE had 2 books. Fitters and service. I worked both books as needed due to my welding certs status. Service usually stays busy year round if the tech has any clue what he is doing. I did not vote as that was a waste of tie. The lefty plumbers and fitters pretty much ran it so again....my pay scale (over scale) and benies kept me in the game. My retirement is also a plus.

Yup, keep your head down and do your job. Reap the benies in the end.

 

[bwframe]

...Union leadership should be looking out for the people they represent.

Follow the money.

 

[OurDee]

The stories I could tell.

 

[Magyars]

Follow the money.

BINGO!
You may not vote democrat like the union leadership suggest but some of your dues goes to support the dems

 

[bwframe]

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

Who votes for the union leadership? How do they get in the positions they are in?

I've always heard conservative folks complain about Union leadership but never anyone talk about how to boot them...just a lot of complaining with no plan to actually solve the problem...

I'm not Union and I'm thankfully not in a career where I need to be beholden to it and worry about my money supporting their political pets so I honestly have no idea...

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Police unions aren't the same as trade unions, but we do get a list of candidates the union supports. Mostly Republican, given that the union is (rightfully) a one issue entity that only recommends based on the interests of police officers. Recommendatations aren't mandates, and if you don't vote for the candidates they recommend they neither know (unless you tell them) or care. It's up to you to decide if other issues matter to you more than 'union friendliness'/worker conditions/whatever.

 

[Romero Zombie]

IBEW 481 here. Encouraged to vote Dem. The Dem party thinks of unions the same way they think of minorities, a “guaranteed vote”.

Nope. Dems just give lip service.

 

[AtTheMurph]

I would venture to say the majority of our membership disagrees with the leadership pushing democrat. I think they're aware and I didn't hear much this last time around.

How do you feel being used to fund the political campaigns of Communists?

 

[Jaybird1980]

How do you feel being used to fund the political campaigns of Communists?

It's not exactly a good feeling. Probably about the same as when you realize your money ends up there as well.

 

[thunderchicken]

I'm a AFSCME union worker. Our local has never pushed us toward voting a certain way. At the National level, yes they support the Dem's.
The benefits we receive as a result of our bargaining unit far outweighs the benefits and conditions I worked under in the private sector. The biggest drawback I see is unions have to protect jobs of some who should be let go on occasion.
I pay my dues, stay out of trouble and do my job while working within the rules of our contractual agreements.
I don't like that any part of my dues goes to support a political party. But, if you shop just about any big box store most likely a small portion of that money is being spent to support a political party anyway. Sucks but not much you can do about it but get out and vote.

 

[semperfi211]

I have been a member of Teamsters Local 710 for 30 years. They have always endorsed democrats. I have never voted Democrat. I know many of my coworkers are the same.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Question for the union guys that have said that their unions consistently support Democrats. Has anyone thought to ask the leadership why? I mean, the Democrats of old used to be pro-blue collar workers, so it would have made sense. That is no longer the case (just look at them wanting to get rid of coal plants, fossil fuels, internal combustion engine vehicles, etc.). Wouldn't it be interesting to hear their answer to that question? And no, I wouldn't find "Because we've always done it that way" to be an acceptable answer.

 

[Jaybird1980]

Question for the union guys that have said that their unions consistently support Democrats. Has anyone thought to ask the leadership why? I mean, the Democrats of old used to be pro-blue collar workers, so it would have made sense. That is no longer the case (just look at them wanting to get rid of coal plants, fossil fuels, internal combustion engine vehicles, etc.). Wouldn't it be interesting to hear their answer to that question? And no, I wouldn't find "Because we've always done it that way" to be an acceptable answer.

Yes it's been brought up in our local for sure. It even lead to a few people in elected positions being replaced during the next vote after it was found out they donated to a local democrat after saying they didn't.
Our push comes from the national level like thunderchicken mentioned. We are a small local and have basically no persuasion at the national level.
I really do wish they would come around though.

 

[DoggyDaddy]

Yes it's been brought up in our local for sure. It even lead to a few people in elected positions being replaced during the next vote after it was found out they donated to a local democrat after saying they didn't.
Our push comes from the national level like thunderchicken mentioned. We are a small local and have basically no persuasion at the national level.
I really do wish they would come around though.

Do the locals have any representation at the national level? Thinking along the lines of the way lifetime NRA members can attend national meetings, participate in elections, etc..