Well, I intend this to be short, but I am sure it will evolve into a long tirade. Because the UAW had in the past allowed these reservists to park here (I'm sure that there have always been foreign cars owned by these marines) I believe they should continue the practice out of common courtesy. We need to consider that we still have a voluntary military, and due to that, they should have a certain level of respect. To not render such respect would be equal to snubbing our noses at volunteer fire fighters or police. Regardless of pay received, these professions deserve better. As far as the union is concerned, they are a neccessary evil, and I will explain the reasons. 1. Large corporations are the most common unionized jobs. Large companies employ large amounts of salaried and hourly workers. These salaried workers are not (usually) directly related to company profits and have no vested interest in the companies success. Because of this situation, favoritism, nepotism and other forms of preferential treatment would prevail in the work place. For example; a supervisor's relative would receive promotions and keep jobs that they do not merit. Another scenario might be the hourly employee who sucks up to the boss, getting the same benefits. 2. Unions have improved safety in the work place for everyone, union or not. With out unions, many accident investigations would not be conducted, or would be slanted so as not to cast a bad light on the company. If there is negligence found, it usually is reported in local news papers, and makes the non union worker more aware of safety issues in his/her job. 3. Unions help all personal incomes to increase. This is done in several ways, primarily by negotiating living wages for thier workers. The money earned and spent by union employees drives the economy just as non union pay does. The more you make, the more you spend. Another way is by peripheral jobs. A truck driver that hauls slave labor made products will not earn as much as one who hauls union made. It's only logical that a Cadillac sales person would make more than a Kia sales person. Earnings in the service sector are directly related to the value of the products that they service. If you don't beleive me, look around for a local TV/VCR repair shop. They are practically non existent these days, simply because of the low cost of new tvs and vcrs. Why pay to have a guy repair a unit when you can buy new for a paltry sum? I am a union member, and I am also a former Marine. I am still amazed at the simple minded approach that some people take (such as the UAW) when it comes to politics. Bush, who is republican is considered anti union and anti worker, yet Bush is the one who installed steel tariffs against imported steel, where Clinton would not. Bush did so despite threats of retaliation from the WTO and the European Union. Personally, I think it was low down dirty thing to do to our Marines, even though they have the right to say who uses their lot.
"For those who fought for it, freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know?
Author unknown