Unions formed to force companies to treat workers decently
Re: “Chamber critical of changes to labour rules”, (Citizen, Aug. 24)
I beg to differ with Ms. Scurr and her business cronies.
Unions were formed many decades ago, out of a necessity to confront unscrupulous multi-national corporations. These companies were pillaging our natural resources and treating their employees with disdain, i.e. very poor wages and poor working conditions.
Unions organized these workers and fought for a living wage and benefit package. These workers were now able to afford housing, cars, paid vacations, higher education for their children, etc.
Ms. Scurr states that 80 per cent of workers don’t want to pay union dues, when actually they realize the benefits that the union provides for them negotiating agreements, etc. Probably 80 per cent of the population don’t want to pay taxes, but they realize that without that money we wouldn’t have schools, roads, hospitals, etc. Union members pay a fair share of the tax base because they make decent wages.
My father, myself and most of my family and friends worked all our working lives for “union shop” companies. These companies thrive under these agreements.
So Ms. Scurr, read some history on the union movements here and around the world to fully understand the background and reasons for their formation and their importance in the workplace today.
Three cheers for the union.
Don and Dinah O’Keefe
Duncan
