I was a teamster for a while (part time at UPS) in college. Can't complain about them. I later moved up to supervisor and saw a different view. While most people showed up to work, others took advantage of every opportunity to fall back on the union card.
I now work in the automotive industry. Our country is controlled by the American automotive industry. If automotive business is good, the American economy is good and vise versa.
The American automotive industry is dying. There are a lot of reasons for this, but a very big one is the UAW. I've been to major automotive manufacturer plants and my experience is the same as BRIANHO's; the UAW is a crutch and a thorn in the side of automotive manufacturers.
Some recent facts I read in a major industry periodical...
The average portion of the cost of a new car produced by GM that goes to health care - $1000 per car.
The average portion of the cost of a new car produced by Toyota that goes to health care - $400 per car.
On average the Toyota worker (all non-union BTW) makes more money and has better benefits, while contributing less than the UAW employed GM worker.
Also, Toyota (and other foreign manufacturers) are bringing more jobs to the US, while GM and the other 2 are sending more jobs to Mexico and elsewhere. Toyota recently raised vehicle prices to allow GM to compete, because GM going under is also very bad for all the others.
I call them like I see them and I see this every day.
Unions have their place, but some of them need to be taken down a peg or two.
JMHO.
