terratogen wrote:

President Bush yesterday suspended application of the federal law governing workers' pay on federal contracts in the Hurricane Katrina-damaged areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The action infuriated labor leaders and their Democratic supporters in Congress, who said it will lower wages and make it harder for union contractors to win bids.

I don't understand the drive behind Unions. Why would you want to be in a Union? Why would you want a Union working in your company?

Can someone explain to me the positive benefits of a Union? Unions, at least to me, appear to slow things down, cost people more money, drive up prices, etc.

ibenez wrote:

terratogen wrote:

President Bush yesterday suspended application of the federal law governing workers' pay on federal contracts in the Hurricane Katrina-damaged areas of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The action infuriated labor leaders and their Democratic supporters in Congress, who said it will lower wages and make it harder for union contractors to win bids.

I don't understand the drive behind Unions. Why would you want to be in a Union? Why would you want a Union working in your company?

Can someone explain to me the positive benefits of a Union? Unions, at least to me, appear to slow things down, cost people more money, drive up prices, etc.

It depends on the union. Some unions are just as bad for workers as the companies their supposed to be protected from. Some actually force companies to consider their employees need to make money in addition to the companies need. In some fields, such as construction and carpentry, without unions in place, these would not be sustainable professions as the lowest bidder would likely always win. Without experienced professional contractors to build things, this would not be good for many people. Unions can also ensure benefits, and fair (or at least standardized) treatment for workers in various fields. United labor gives value to trade craft where it may otherwise not be respected. Companies are by design often only concerned with their own bottom line, and not with making sure that the nation has sustainable careers to provide a more fluid economy. Unions, when they work, give them this incentive. So even though they raise costs, they also make sure that there are people with money to spend.