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From: jimd@hp-pcd.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.flame
Subject: Union Opinion
Message-ID: <7100053@hp-pcd.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 9-Apr-84 20:55:00 EST
Article-I.D.: hp-pcd.7100053
Posted: Mon Apr  9 20:55:00 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 13-Apr-84 07:42:53 EST
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Portable Computer Division - Corvallis, OR
Lines: 40
Nf-ID: #N:hpcvrb:7100053:000:1947
Nf-From: hpcvrb!jimd    Apr  9 17:55:00 1984



I would like to put in my oar about unions.

1) The plumbers union in my home town shot and killed my neighbor's
   wife and children because he wouldn't join the union.  He is still
   an independent plumber after 22 years, but oh so lucky to be alive.
   The union people were convicted of murder.  In the trial, it was
   disclosed that union funds were used (in the many K $) to harass
   this man.

2) The media and Hollywood image of unions is derogatory - ties to the
   illegal drug trades, organized crime syndicates, Mafia, etc.  All
   the time you hear of union leaders being accused (and sometimes
   convicted) of crimes.

3) Unionization of plants have made substantial improvements for some
   people that I have met over the years, and substantial disimprovements
   for others (typically younger).  A mixed review, so to speak.

I have never worked in an environment where union workers were present.
Clearly my limited knowledge and experience don't make me an expert on
unions, but perhaps you can understand that I have a negative IMAGE of
unions in my mind (even disregarding my neighbors troubles.)  I believe
that all these work rules about who can do what are silly.  I don't like
the connections to organized crime (real or imaginary.)  I would be
nervous about the communications and productivity implications if our lab
were to be unionized.  I have often said I would not want to work in a
union shop.  So far there are no compelling reasons to change that opinion.
My working environment is very nice - everybody gets along well, we are 
not in a hazardous situation, pay is fine, and bennies are fine. Other
than erecting walls between people who already work well together, I
cannot imagine anything that unionization would contribute.

Are there any folks in a high-tech environment out there who are members
of a union?  I would like to hear some more opinions.

Jim Donnelly
Hewlett-Packard
hplabs!hp-pcd!jimd