Labor keep hiring from the dodgy unions?

[straight talker]

Why do the Labor government keep hiring and promoting people from the dodgy union poll????

[Squawk]

That will never end.

[southee]

Always will.....that's why I don't vote for Labor!!!

Never have and never will !!!

[redandblack]

Unions = 'dodgy' (sic)

Top end of town = acceptable

[blueandwhite]

was Brendan Nelson a union leader......?

[dedja]

And why isn't the AMA not considered a union?

[The Sleeping Giant]

And why isn't the AMA not considered a union?

'cause they are doctors.

[Psyber]

And why isn't the AMA not considered a union?

I've always considered them my Union and I've been a Union rep sitting on the state committee in the past.
I've been a member of other unions when I worked in industry over Xmas vacations too.
Generally, I favour unions that genuinely look after their members' interests, and give it priority over playing politics.
They only one I resented having to join was the Student's Union at the Uni of Adelaide.

[southee]

I will always remember gaining my apprenticeship and being "forced" to join a union.

I was working in a company that employed various trades.

In my 4th year, alot of work got outsourced and whole lot of us (mainly aged between 18 and 24) asked the union for some help and assistance. We all paid our monies out of our pay and made the sacrifice each week of it coming out our apprentice wage.

The union did sweet F.A to help us. All they were basically interested in was organising strikes and stand over tactics.....even as apprentices when were maded to strike and get "docked" our pay.

They maybe good in some industries but to me and my experiences they are irrelevent.

[redandblack]

I was forced to join a union too, southee.

It's called the Institute of Chartered Accountants and they charge a lot.

[southee]

I was forced to join a union too, southee.

It's called the Institute of Chartered Accountants and they charge a lot.

I bet they do R&B.......just incase you have any issues with dodgy calculators, pens or International Roast coffee being served at the work place.....they are always there if you need them

BTW...I am only joking!!!

[dedja]

I haven't been in a union for over 15 years ...

I think the elephant in the room is the way some unions abuse affiliation to the ALP to gain block votes ... of course the SDA and Don Farrell and his mates readily come to mind.

At least the ETU had made attempts to allow their members to decide whether they wish to affiliate.

[The Sleeping Giant]

I will always remember gaining my apprenticeship and being "forced" to join a union.

I was working in a company that employed various trades.

In my 4th year, alot of work got outsourced and whole lot of us (mainly aged between 18 and 24) asked the union for some help and assistance. We all paid our monies out of our pay and made the sacrifice each week of it coming out our apprentice wage.

The union did sweet F.A to help us. All they were basically interested in was organising strikes and stand over tactics.....even as apprentices when were maded to strike and get "docked" our pay.

They maybe good in some industries but to me and my experiences they are irrelevent.

Been in a couple of unions. One was great. Closed shop. We got away with murder, great conditions and pay. Last one I was in was a disgrace. Weak as piss. Won't need unions any more thank Christ.

[Sojourner]

I for one do support the traditional role of the Trade Union Movement, the main issue that I have is that some of the Unions seem to have forgotten where they came from and why they were set up in the first place.

Unions should be screaming blue bloody murder over the complete lack of Tariff protection for Australian industry. It goes totally beyond the pale that a furniture company can import for no tariff at all into Australia from Malaysia often with goods made from rain forest timber, yet an Australian exporter to Malaysia cops a 30+ % tariff. It makes me very upset to watch Australian industry being decimated in this manner and not a whimper of protest being made to the ALP through the Union movement.

Heinous working conditions in China, yet no call by unions for boycott of the Olympic Games, The "Fair Trade" movement seems to enjoy no support from the Union movement, one would think that improving working conditions in other countries improves conditions here when the field becomes more level.

Unions sit back and say nothing whilst staff at the Hampstead Centre get a pay cut in the form of car parking fees.

It was great that we won an 8 hour day, but how long ago was that and what has happened to the working week since then? Get these issues right and the Unions could become very popular with a number of people, why they cant seem to care less anymore is anyones guess however.

[Leaping Lindner]

The right w(h)ingers LOVED the unions when the Michael O'Connor of CFMEU helped the Libs win two senate seats in Tasmania giving them a majority in the Senate and thus allowing work choices to get through.

[straight talker]

workers have never had it so good when under workchoices.

[RustyCage]

workers have never had it so good when under workchoices.

Are you saying workchoices was good for the workers?

[straight talker]

yes i certainly am. I was myself on one amongst others and we didnt have a problem with them. Certainly less trouble for both companies and there employees,less strikes,less workers going to court etc:

[Q.]

Those pesky worker rights certainly do get in the way!

[gossipgirl]

workers have never had it so good when under workchoices.

is your name John ?