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by jollybean 1735 days ago
I didn't write those things though.

"So you don’t think they care that their members can keep their jobs long-term? Is that not in their interest?"

I don't care one way or the other. I'm saying that a Union is an organized body of power that protects it's own self-interest, and nobody else's.

"To imply that all unions without fail will push for maximum possible compensation in the short-term, at the expense of any other concern, "

I didn't write or imply that.

I'm wrote that Unions will use their power to maximize the returns above all else. Obviously, if they try to negotiate $200K salaries for their staff, they know they will be out of jobs.

However - every single dollar of profit to shareholders, added surplus to buyers/suppliers would be considered 'their money' in this equation, to the extent they can, they'll want to take all of those surpluses - exactly like other participants. Do you think their suppliers will sell for a dime less than they can? Will their customers pay a dollar more than they have to? Will management want to pay more than they have to?

A Union is not a benevolent thing, it's just a power centre acting in it's own interest and that's it.

1 comments

> I didn't write or imply that.

Well, that’s how I interpreted it, in large part because you flat-out replied ”this is definitely not true” to the person who was making the point I pretty much reiterated in response to you.

> A Union is not a benevolent thing, it's just a power centre acting in it's own interest

Yes, the interest of its members, which is the whole point.