said by nunya:I ran the gamut from SWBT, SBC, and AT&T. I was union the entirety. I can say this without hesitation about Ma Bell. She treats her employees like CRAP! Management and union (executives exempted). It's tough, monotonous, grueling, boring work. But, she pays good and gives good benefits. That's the only reason people stay there.
Take that away, and see what you get left with.
Here are that bad things I saw: Laziness, or more importantly, protected laziness. There were a few bad apples. The vast majority busted their asses every day.
I believe strongly that merit should play an important role in any job, union or not.
Forced overtime, especially in outside jobs, was prevalent. The amount of forced OT often crossed the line of dangerous. You can only whip a mule so long.
Also, your hands were tied much of time. Often, you were not permitted to make necessary plant repairs due to budget or time constraints. You were forced into poor customer service, and left to be the "face of the company" with customers who don't have a clue (and rightfully, shouldn't have to). Another program along these lines is / was called "good jobs in 8". A moronic anti-quality performance metric system.
The CWA / IBEW also funnel a lot of dough to liberal / socialist / communist causes and agendas.
I have to admit, without a union at Ma Bell, it would be an unbearable job.
I left and started my own NON-UNION company. My employees are Me, Myself, and I. I still get picketed and harassed by moron union members. This is something that really bugs me about unions too. They think they are "entitled" to whatever they claim or set eyes on.
This is a piss poor time for any type of negotiations, because there really are qualified people waiting in line to take these jobs. Would these people be willing to do it for less money? Maybe for a little while. When the economy improves, they'll be running for the door though.
I think in a case like AT&T, you have to take the "bad" that comes with any union.
Wow, you just equated liberalism and socialism with communism. *facepalm* Obviously you're not BIASED at all are you?
