Arr! The union be me anchor, just like them landlubber auto workers be learnin' soon enough, mateys!
2023-11-09
Arrr, ye scurvy dogs of the United Auto Workers be deservin' more than this sorry excuse o' a "victory." Their union be makin' 'em clash with their employers, and worse, with their own bloomin' success.
Pity the members of the United Auto Workers who are ratifying new deals with the Big Three automakers. Sure, they got some combination of wage hikes, better benefits packages, and other perks. But they’re being locked into another contract that will stifle their potential, crushing their spirit and, in time, the companies that employ them.The author, recounting his experience as a college student working in a factory in 1979, emphasizes the negative effects of union contracts. He shares how his supervisor warned him against working too fast, as the union wanted everyone to do less than was possible. This mentality, according to the author, is pervasive in Illinois, where unions dominate.
The author argues that one-size-fits-all contracts limit workers' potential and discourage them from striving for greatness. He points to Chicago public schools as an example of the detrimental effects of such contracts. The unions, in his view, put people in boxes instead of empowering them to think outside the box.
The author contrasts this mindset with the drive for success and improvement exemplified by entrepreneurs like Henry Ford. He believes that labor unions want individual success without the initiative and entrepreneurial thinking that is necessary for true success.
The author warns that the UAW members will suffer in the long run as the Big Three automakers resort to automation, layoffs, and plant closures to remain competitive. He argues that UAW members would thrive if they were free to push themselves and improve the companies through question-asking and problem-solving.
In conclusion, the author believes that the UAW members deserve better than what their union has negotiated for them. He sees the union as pitting them against their employers and hindering their own flourishing.