The reality of big labor

"There's hippies everywhere!" \nA campus employee uttered this to a class this summer in the Kelley School of Business graduate building. The events in question had to do with anarchists protesting conferences being held relating to the G8 economic summit. The protestors believe economic strategies were not good for workers and should be stopped. \nWell, they're half right. Our current economy is not kind to workers. However, big labor hinders the economy more than helps it.\nThere were union movements up through the 1980s. According to the National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation, unions were allowed many privileges that created animosity among the general public, which still remains today. For example, many unions are still exempt from violence done during protests. The actions taken by union members during strikes are the stuff legends are made of. In many places, employees are also forced to join a union even if they don't want to. I won't comment on union connections to the mob.\nHow does all this relate to the modern economy? \nOne cannot talk about big labor without talking about Wal-Mart. This company kept big labor away since Sam Walton's first five-and-dime store in Bentonville, Ark. Big labor charges that Wal-Mart mistreats its workers and many lawsuits have been filed against the company because of that. One lawsuit charges that Wal-Mart in California forced employees to work off the clock. However, even the AFL-CIO admits that employees were merely asked to finish their work before they went home. Another lawsuit charged that Wal-Mart stores in LA interfered with union organizing efforts by locking employees out of their jobs. Imagine that! Employees being disciplined for breaking company policy. Wal-Mart has grown to be the biggest company in the world because it has recognized the relationship that exists between employees and managers. Unions serve no purpose other than to drive a stake between workers and management.\nIf I were allowed a "Most Ridiculous Item of the Day" section, I would put this next example in it: There is a national movement to unionize pizza delivery drivers. Yes, you read that correctly. According to the Association of Pizza Delivery Drivers, drivers are often not paid enough, do not have proper insurance and are considered separate from other employees in the pizza stores. Basically, this group wants to bargain for health care, increased pay and better treatment from employers. \nI got news for them: if you want a well paying job where you get respect, don't be a pizza delivery driver! Does anyone apply for that kind of job thinking they are going to become rich? Most people apply because they need money and are looking toward bigger things. The APDD is deluding its members into thinking they are going to get more than they really will.\nThat is my problem with unions. They delude their members into thinking that employers and the global market will treat them well. The best response to this was said by John Travolta's character in "Primary Colors," "In this modern global economy, muscle jobs go where muscle labor is cheap and that is not here."\nI have worked a few different types of jobs before. However, I always realized that I would never get rich doing those kinds of jobs. I was ALWAYS looking toward something better. Groups of people are told that low-skilled, blue-collar jobs will allow them to live a good life and support their family and that is not the case. That might not be morally right, but it is reality. The only way to survive in this economy is to get a good education and learn to compete in the blood sport that is the job market. Thinking any other way is downright dangerous.