President Barack Obama on Monday took aim at the right-to-work legislation Gov. Rick Snyder (R-Mich.) and Republican legislators are expected to pass Tuesday, claiming that such laws are more about politics than they are about economics.
“What we shouldn’t be doing is trying to take away your rights to bargain for better wages,” the president told an enthralled audience in Redford, Mich. “These so-called right-to-work laws, they don’t have anything to do with economics, they have to do with politics.”
“What they’re really talking about is to give you the right to work for less money,” he added.
Like all other right-to-work bills, the bill Gov. Snyder is expected to sign tomorrow protects non-union employees from having to financially support labor unions.
Here’s the legal definition of right-to-work: “Right-to-work laws forbid unions and employers to enter into agreements requiring employees to join a union and pay dues and fees to it in order to get or keep a job.”
At this point, it is unclear how right-to-work laws would infringe on a union’s ability to engage in collective bargaining as President Obama suggests.
Follow Becket Adams (@BecketAdams) on Twitter
Featured image courtesy Getty Images. This story has been updated.
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Comments (146)
progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:29pmYou sir are a patriot!! Keep thinking good thoughts and remember capitalism will win out in the end. The communist pigs currently enjoy the upper hand,that’s only because they haven’t hit rock bottom YET, due to wealth redistribution the pigs are riding high right now, when it hits we already know who will survive.The parasites will die off en masse and we’ll rebuild.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:33pmThis post was in response to Bodybag,I don’t know how they mixed it up.
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:51pm@PROGRESSIVESLAYER
Posted on December 10, 2012 at 7:29pm
when it hits we already know who will survive.The parasites will die off en masse and we’ll rebuild.
———————————————
I pray on my knees nightly that God will bring it quick.
That would be the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Moses — the one Progressives & Islamists hate.
My shield and he in whom I trust — my goodness, my fortress, my hightower and my deliverer —-
and when you see me it’ll look alot like this —–
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY61XmDJ-1w
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bonesiii
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:58pmI love how when they try to do something to harm others — kill them, rob them of a job, etc. — and then we stand up to them and try to stop it, they redefine it so suddenly we’re violating a RIGHT of theirs. They have the right to kill people, and the right to force you to give money to someone else whether that person helped you or hurt you. Attack the healthy family unit, and call it a right. Infringe on someone’s free religious expression, and call it a right.
I see your game, libs.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:00pmThat was a great movie Bag,here’s something for ya I think you’ll like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdnWqqiep4U
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mercenary4freedom
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:06pmI’ll be right there BODY, I’m afraid some cleansing will be in order to get this whole thing cleared up. Americans think it’ll never happen here, they better think again. Especially with the tyrants now in control.
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:23pm@PROGRESSIVESLAYER
Posted on December 10, 2012 at 8:00pm
That was a great movie Bag,here’s something for ya I think you’ll like.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdnWqqiep4U
————————————–
Awesome. I dont want to bust up the anonymity we enjoy here but that has some very special meaning for me.
@MERCENARY4FREEDOM
Posted on December 10, 2012 at 8:06pm
I’ll be right there BODY, I’m afraid some cleansing will be in order to get this whole thing cleared up. Americans think it’ll never happen here, they better think again. Especially with the tyrants now in control.
—————————-
Same page brother. Same page.
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Gold Coin & Economic News
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:29pmThis is leadership. This is what we get from a man that doesn’t know the first thing about governing. This is the kind of foolishness that this tiny man, this creep we have as president is only capable of. HERE is what he offers for leadership:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOVvPVVuza0
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:39pmAnyone who reads this and scoffs better get their mind right quick.
These people arent F’ing around. They ARE COMMUNISTS:
Jeffrey Immelt —- GE CEO & Head of Barry’s “Jobs Counsel”
Immelt: Communist China ‘Works’
http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/immelt-communist-china-works_665280.html
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roagie1
Dec. 10, 2012 at 11:33pmcouldn’t agree more ,, the faster they do the better..I would be happy to help..: )
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Living In NYC
Dec. 11, 2012 at 7:25amDid someone say Twinkie or Wonderbread? The union really helped out those folks….heck no!!!
This is preview of what will happen under heavy union control!
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poorrichard09
Dec. 11, 2012 at 8:22amThe agitator and chief was in Detroit Monday ginning up the union goons for a protest today. What kind of president does that? And in the (former) Motor City which is now a poster child for the failure of progressive Dems and over priced union labor.
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G-WHIZ
Dec. 11, 2012 at 12:26pmPROGS always spend “O-P-M” and it will run-out!!
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RANGER1965
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:21pmWow..just wow
It’s almost a sickening anger I feel these days, everytime that man opens his lying mouth. It used to be incredulous disbelief at his statements.
Now I’m just ashamed.
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Stelex
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:32pmAgreed, this POS has no shame, lies better than the devil himself. Right to Work is just common sense and gives us choices. Obama is a true “Cult of Personality” as in the Jim Jone style. But much more dangerous due to the fact that the media is part of the cult, as well as big business, the banks and the UN. We are in very dangerous times and more than half the mass is fooled
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:35pmYup. Same here. Read my comment below. Sickening gut level anger every time I hear
him speak. His entire life has been a lie right down to his own identity.
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Gold Coin & Economic News
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:36pmWhen is TheBlaze going to install a friggin LIKE button here so we can give kudos to a great comment? And that sir, is a GREAT comment!
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:41pmI was there years ago because I looked into his past and knew he was a communist POS back then.
What’s shocking to me is there’s people stupid and gullible enough to believe anything the worthless pig says.
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Stelex
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:43pmThe like/dislike button is not needed on the blaze. All it does is serve ego’s. Just read and respond honestly.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:50pmSTELEX As the Indian in the movie,I think it was the outlaw Josey Wales says ‘there’s iron in your words’.
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gsp9993
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:50pmAnd in the end, he will be exposed and called out for his pathological lying.
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Stelex
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:56pmSlayer……..”LIKE” ;-)
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skippy6
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:09pmI cannot watch or listen to this Arrogant pig, it makes my skin crawl…I will read instead of listening to the devil….
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Red Bubba
Dec. 11, 2012 at 12:08amThe important take-away here is that the unions called and 0 dropped everything and flew to Michigan.
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MiCurmudgeon
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:20pmToyota employees make more per hour than UAW workers and do not pay dues. Sounds like the right way to build a middle class.
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toiletclogga
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:32pmWhen it comes to competition, unions are against it! Now they have to actually shows those who wish to remain in the union their worth, or lack thereof. These workplaces which now become voluntary union membership are going to become very dangerous places for those going against the union. I’d suggest wearing hardhats everywhere.
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charles116
Dec. 10, 2012 at 9:48pmWhen you guys are working for slave wages, with no medical benefits, and
discover during a fire, the exit door are locked and the sprinkler system hasn’t worked in years
you’ll be singing a different tune.
No you won’t – YOU’LL BE DEAD!
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Zipit
Dec. 10, 2012 at 11:03pmUnlike you 116, we’re smart enough to not put in that position. Anyways, Obama will have everyone there soon enough.
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gdd2010
Dec. 11, 2012 at 5:37am@Charles…
Read what Right To Work Laws mean. Then you may spew whatever you like.
http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/laborlaws/a/right_to_work_2.htm
Also, there are safety regulations in place now that didn’t exist back then (50′s – 80′s) that protect workers. Unio9ns now exist solely to bully corporations (and employees) into paying into higher benefits for Union Bureaucrats and still screw the little guy. It’s just another “man” doin you in.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:18pmFat cat union bosses exploit the worker and make much more money than the rank and file who toil for the candyass union pig bosses who don’t work for a living just like our worthless politicians.
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turkey13
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:28pmWhen GM closed the plant in Oklahoma City in 2005 all lost their jobs except all the union stewards and union bosses who still show up at this big old pland from 7 to 3 PM each day and draw a check. I can’t find out why GM hasn’t sold the plant to Honda or someone. The plant is near Tinker AFB and on I-40. This was the most productive GM plant in the US. Since closing the plant GM has built a new plant in Mecico and is building one right now in China. We taxpayers could recoup some of our billions by selling it.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:39pmWe could recoup some but we’ll never be repaid in full because GM stock was roughly 50.00 per share when it started trading again,now it’s 25.00 and GM will probably get bailed out again by the union loving POS in the oval office.
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MiCurmudgeon
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:18pmObama needs to QUIT CAMPAIGNING and start being the President of the USA not the president of the democratic party.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:24pmSorry, but that is all he knows how to do. Well, that and golf, and smoke pot, and hang with rappers, and spend my money, ……
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booger71
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:53pmAnd go to Chicago Bath houses.
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chas2c
Dec. 10, 2012 at 10:59pmhe’s not campainging. He’s pimping.
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:12pm“PRESIDENT OBAMA SUGGESTS RIGHT-TO-WORK LEGISLATION INFRINGES ON COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS — BUT IS THAT TRUE?”
Trick question? Has this guy ever said anything true in his life?
I have a seething hatred for Barry that grows by the day. He represents the polar opposite
of everything in this nation that I have known and loved my entire life. He is a disease up this
country. A lying, conniving, ruthless, good-for-nothing sack of red Communist $**t.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:23pmAmen Brother.
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subic
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:41pmMarxist community organizer & democrats are going to continue the attack on the private sector & drive us all bankrupt until everything is owned by govt and run by unions.
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booger71
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:54pmRight to work States protect the rights of the individual not the collective Barry
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savagenatn
Dec. 11, 2012 at 3:30amAnswer: no the idiot has never spoken anything true. EVER the commie bas tard is shameless
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mbean
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:10pmUnion bosses killed Hostess, they will do the same for all other business.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:33pmWhat kind of sick bastards would kill the Ding Dong?
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Stelex
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:46pmLoraina Bobbet…..
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:46pmFISHBONE You ask What kind of sick bastards would kill the Ding Dong?
Hillary Clinton.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:52pmSTELEX Your response was better and note the time.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:14pmI’ve heard old Rahm Emanuel likes a good cream filled chocolate Ding Dong every so often.
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charles116
Dec. 10, 2012 at 9:45pmGet some fact. hon.
Those bosses ran the company by stealing from the pension fund.
Those tens of millions were deducted from wages for that fund.
What silly uninformed people you are with your imaginary axes to grind.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:03pmDoug, you better check with your doctor first to see if you’re safe to engage in sexual activity.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:08pmThe comment to which I made this reply is now gone. Sorry for any confusion.
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progressiveslayer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:00pmPublic sector and private sector unions combined with the corrupt regimes of Coleman Young and Kwame Kilpatrick gave us modern day Detroit,look for the union label they built that. Granholm did her progressive part in driving businesses out of Michigan as well and we have the Marxist POS in communist controlled union infested Michigan today pushing his union BS rhetoric. Keep pushing your old archaic ideas of unions and you’ll drive all businesses overseas.
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BODYBAG
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:14pmTip o the hat to you SLAYER. I would have made my comment a response to yours but I guess we were typing at the same time. LOL.
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lel2007
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:53pmCertainly the Magnificent ******* would think a union worker’s “right to work” trump a non-union worker’s “right to work”.
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:48pmSo Obama is going to bat for the unions once again, over the matter of right-to-work v that of union dominance across the board.
So which will be next from the administration – regulation or executive order doing away with all laws of right-to-work for the nation? Or will it be done via the Congress? Or will Obama have the DOJ come down on the Michigan legislature and governor for some kind of civil rights and labor rights violations?
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poorrichard09
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:01pmYeah, never mind that the unions priced themselves out of the auto market, followed by the steel workers, rubber workers and component mfgs. See photos of Detroit today to see a dying city.
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FISH_BONE
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:11pmPOOR: There is no use in exposing reality to these people, they live in some utopian dreamworld where all is well and the Kenyan makes it even better.
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thibx
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:44pmoboma twisting the truth or flat out lying. he says a lot that’s not true and these idiots stand there and agree. i hate unions and corrupt politians.
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SCREW-WINDOWS
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:48pmThe hypocrite speaks.
How fitting this was said at a diesel plant where Obama aims to do away with fossil fuels where in the end they will be out of a job no if’s and’s or but’s.
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rc30
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:02pmI’m from Michigan moved too Texas feb of 09. I hope Rick Synder rip the unions apart. One part of Michigan trouble is unions. The other part is the people in GOV. The unions up there have did nothing but cause pain. There so many places where you can’t work because the union is there protesting. I’m a plumber and worked in the union for 8months. I could not do my job half the time. They have so many rules in place about who job is what and what you can do and not do. When there bids are 3 to 4 times higher then a non union company. Wonder why they can’t compete with the non union company. Then protest tell they pull the job away from the non union workers. I work for allot of plumbing companys up there. All paid union scale and would give you health care. But did not have to keep or help you when you did stupid stuff.
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ares338
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:40pmYou CAN NOT make someone join a union or any damn thing else. They tried that with me in 1973 and I politely told them no but when they tried the intimidation angle I told the guy to get f%#?ed.
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1911a1
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:39pmI hope he keeps on doubling down on his marxist policies and executive orders ! We need to take back the republican party , and our reps shouldnt even talk to him or the dems , vote present on everything , and get up and walk out ! when he adresses the nation , as soon as the tv camera starts rolling and he starts to read his teleprompter, the entire republicans should all get up and walk the Heck out ! Sooner or later people will get all they can handle and they will be forced to acknowledge these blood suckers are only concerned with ruling powers and destroying everything American. The sooner we will grow a freaking backbone and throw these commies out of our country the better off the whole Nation will be , but this wont happen in my lifetime , there is no will to do the hard thing , our country has grown soft !
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lel2007
Dec. 10, 2012 at 7:10pmSeems the majority of the population are in favor of the communist “transformer”. Good luck with the Repubs, eager to cave, they desperately want to be “liked” by liberals..
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bhelmet
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:39pmAs Wilkow says – there are NO laws stopping employees from collective bargaining with their employer. They do not have to pay an organization to do it – especially when unions are antithetical to MOST Americans’ beliefs.
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AbrahamsSheepdog
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:36pmAsk the Union to go to Greece, or China with GM. You guys ruined Camaro and where are all the rich Chinese headed, GM? Feel me.
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Red Bubba
Dec. 11, 2012 at 1:36amGM is a social program in the US, but they make a profit in China. No union wages there.
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dadsrootbeer
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:33pmOnly Democrats can demagogue and restrict the freedom of choice for all people in order to protect their symbiotic union brothers. And then speak of freedom and protecting our republic. Chavez and Castro can only beam with pride. No wonder they speak of this administration as being based more on socialism than their own.
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DougHuffman
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:31pmAh yes, our inalienable right to happiness. Can’t be happy without that right to work. Like Wisconsin has, bust the unions, we won, move on.
Good people ought to be armed as they will, with wits and Guns and the Truth. God Bless Bitter Clingers, damn progs.
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bumpkin
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:29pmOf COURSE he would say that. Its MUCH easier to buy off a few Union Bosses than tens of thousands of individuals
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SCREW-WINDOWS
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:45pmHow fitting this was said at a diesel plant where Obama aims to do away with fossil fuels where in the end they will be out of a job no if’s and’s or but’s.
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CatB
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:28pmWhy are all those in favor of “choice” for abortion so afraid of CHOICE in the workplace?
GO MICHIGAN >.. RIGHT TO WORK IS A GOOD START! btw .. I have a friend who is a Michigan State Senator .. GO MIKE! Good job!
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:58pmWhy are those who hate “freeloading” welfare recipients &c so tolerant of workers who would freeload off their co-workers while enjoying the wages and benefits their union brings?
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CatB
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:17pmLOL .. no it IS about choice .. if you choose to stay in the union .. then you pay the dues .. and they are “supposed” to protect you .. .if you CHOOSE not to be in the union then YOU CAN negotiate for YOURSELF with management … The lazy are those who think a union will protect them and they can slide .. I have seen it PERSONALLY in Michigan .. I would rather work hard and be rewarded than have to “stick around” and wait for promotions etc.
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00100111
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:23pmOh Llyod, you silly little girl. Of course we’ll still support right to work. That’s the only thing we support. We’re not “anti-union”, we’re “anti-forced to join a union”. I shouldn’t have to join your worthless, useless, power greedy union just to get a job. You can have your union, I just want to go to work, do what I’m paid to do, and go home. We’re not “freeloading on the actions of the union” because we’re not part of your stupid, lazy union. You f–ers don’t work, anyway. Someone has to get stuff done, may as well be us who actually work. When you picket and protest, I’ll show up for work anyway. If you want to get violent like most union losers do, you’ll look down the barrel of my Kimber .45 ACP. Though you won’t be looking for long…
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:25pmI don’t know what your experience may be, in Michigan or elsewhere, but you are seriously mistaken. Under right-to-work, workers CAN enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining without having to support the union that bargains for them. “Free-market” enthusiasts claim that this forces the union to bargain better, or lose members, but in fact it acts as a solvent of union solidarity, leaving individual workers at the mercy of employers. Do you seriously think that if everyone chooses to bargain for himself, bosses will not play “divide and conquer?” My friend, you are SO NAIVE. The inevitable–and intended–result is a lowering of wages, a shriveling of benefits, and bigger profits.
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:28pmObama is wrong. Right-to-work doesn’t infringe on collective bargaining rights as defined by Federal law. It hollows them out by encouraging workers not to help pay the expenses of the unions that bargain for them.
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33sharks
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:57pmUnions never bargain for you the worker it is always for their “elite”….
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:14pmUnions are human institutions and as such susceptible to corruption and the Iron Law of Oligarchy. Workers are still better off with than without them.
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00100111
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:25pmWorkers are still better off with than without them. – Lloyd Dipsh**
HA! That’s cute.
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 8:39pmI will concede ONE teeny-weeny point to you loons and dupes who support right-to-work, and that is that you should not have to pay dues to a union that supports Democrats if you are a Republican, and vice versa. I wish we could find a way to extricate both organized labor and corporate capital from politics altogether–the lobbying, the SuperPACs, all of it. On the job it’s another matter: pull your weight insofar as your contract requires, and support those who bargained to get that contract for you in the first place. Stop being so conceited as to imagine that you can bargain more effectively on your own, because 99% of the time you can’t.
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gdd2010
Dec. 11, 2012 at 5:47amAnd Cap salaries of Union bosses as well. No reason they could get the huge salaries they do… none.
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scrudge
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:28pmAh Yes…. oBOZO boy needs his backside kicked
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banjarmon
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:39pmWhere dose the line form???
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barber2
Dec. 10, 2012 at 9:16pmBAN: Obama’s line always forms on the Far Left.
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Walkabout
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:27pmI have worked in a closed shop. It is very bad knowing that the union leadership life like the 2%, donate money to the DEMONcat party & you get lousy wages in return after they take out dues from you wages.
I was better of when I left the closed shop. Compulsory unionism is tyranny!
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Lloyd Drako
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:53pmIf unions were not allowed to participate in political lobbying or campaigning, would you still support right-to-work? Of course, corporations and business associations would be under a similar ban.
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civilwarcometh
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:26pmGet the unions out of the government at ALL levels…
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barber2
Dec. 10, 2012 at 9:13pmCIVIL : With the Obama Chicago radical Democrats, you have to get the government out of the unions ! Obama is their spokesman. Our new Fidel. Our Hugo.
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randy
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:17pmWho’s waiting for Obama to sign his next executive order?
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Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Dec. 10, 2012 at 6:49pmIt will come by regulation, executive order, or as an attachment to a bill or legislation in Congress; no matter what, I do not see Obama backing down from this matter unless there is a larger agenda at work that he has more to gain from.
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