Should joining a Trade Union be compulsory for all employees?

[Hifly]

As the title says.

My main concern here is that employees who aren't members of a union could be able to "free ride" off other employees who are union members whenever an agreement that improves working conditions/pay is reached in the workplace.

Thus I'm inclined to vote Yes (D)

[Sol]

Absolutely.

[freefair]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

[Leftbehind]

Absolutely.

[Supersonic]

No, definitely not.

[TNF]

Absolutely.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

No, but I don't think the non unionized people should get the same benefits the unionized people do in this type of agreement.

[courts]

Absolutely.

[Deus Naturae]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

This.

I don't see how any one who claims to support civil liberties can support the government forcing people to affiliate with/join certain organizations.

[courts]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

[DC Al Fine]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

This.

I don't see how any one who claims to support civil liberties can support the government forcing people to affiliate with/join certain organizations.

I think the issue is one of freedom of contract. If an employer and a union agree that all employees of a certain type must join the union, they should have to uphold the agreement.

[H. Ross Peron]

Absolutely.

[windjammer]

Absolutely.

[RogueBeaver]

No, definitely not.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

     Well, I'd rather work as a non-union employee. I would not want to have other people making that decision for me when I am full and well competent to make it for myself.

[TNF]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

     Well, I'd rather work as a non-union employee. I'd do not want to have other people making that decision for me when I am full and well competent to make it for myself.

Who in their right mind prefer non-union work to union work?

[DC Al Fine]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

     Well, I'd rather work as a non-union employee. I'd do not want to have other people making that decision for me when I am full and well competent to make it for myself.

Who in their right mind prefer non-union work to union work?

Being a unionized accountant is soul sucking if you ever want to get something done. Most annoying summer job ever.

[Associate Justice PiT]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

     Well, I'd rather work as a non-union employee. I would not want to have other people making that decision for me when I am full and well competent to make it for myself.

Who in their right mind prefer non-union work to union work?

     So because you do not know why people would act differently, they should be banned from doing so (at least I suppose that is what you are getting at, or else your comment is altogether irrelevant)? Good to know that you are the sole definer of human existence.

[Goldwater]

No, definitely not.

[Redalgo]

No, definitely not.

[freefair]

I think the issue is one of freedom of contract. If an employer and a union agree that all employees of a certain type must join the union, they should have to uphold the agreement.

If that's what's implied by the word "compulsory", then yes, I think closed shop is good, or at least acceptable. I thought it was being implied that the state/government would force people to join.

[ElectionsGuy]

No, definitely not.

[John Dibble]

Freedom of association takes priority in such cases, however if you're outside of a union there shouldn't be any legal guarantee that you'll get the same wage rises or hours.

if that was the case i could see more of an argument. however looking at wages and benefits in right to work states it seems fairly obvious what the actual outcome seems to be of the free market ^tm in action. i'd rather find happiness in slavery, thanks.

     Well, I'd rather work as a non-union employee. I'd do not want to have other people making that decision for me when I am full and well competent to make it for myself.

Who in their right mind prefer non-union work to union work?

Not every job requires a union to get fair pay and benefits. Many skilled positions have a scarce enough labor pool that individuals can negotiate successfully on their own when they feel the need, or they can easily enough find employment elsewhere to get what they want. I'm in such a positions, so being in a union would mean I would be paying dues to a group that wouldn't provide any value in return.

[Peeperkorn]

No, definitely not.

[politicallefty]

Yes (D). The decline of unions has almost directly coincided with the decline of the middle class of this country. Unions are currently the best way to ensure that workers receive benefits and just compensation. They fill the void left by government and its lack of guaranteed benefits and protections.