Imagine this - it's payday, you go to your boss to get your check

And notice it's short. Real short. You ask, what's going on? Boss says - "Sorry, I know I agreed to pay you 'X' amount in writing, but I really don't feel I can afford to pay you that now. I do HAVE the money to be perfectly honest, but I just don't feel I can honor our agreement at this time."

Later, you sit down with your boss to settle your differences. He says "Look, I can't pay you what I owe you. But what I CAN do next time around, is increase your healthcare premium copay a mere 15%, instead of the 25% I was planning on - but - only as long as you agree to work for your current pay rate for another year. Oh, and let's forget about what I owe you, OK?"

Sound absurd?

If you were in a teacher's union, it may just sound familiar.

like life

of public employee unions face the problem you describe.

And if private workers think union breaking is going to make things better for them, they're in for a rude surprise!

are you that misinformed?

Are you explaining why the 96 million workers may not relate to the plight of the 8 million?

Or, that the 8 million shouldn't bitch?

:shrug:

facts seem to get in the way of propaganda

Hard to understand why state governments are trying to impair the obligation of contracts, since that's pretty illegal and unconstitutional, but when do Republicans abide by contracts except when it's to their advantage?

Means very little when they aren't honored...state and federal goverments are fully aware that they have carte blanche to ignore signed contracts when it's convenient, because as powerful as unions may seem, real, effective options are somewhat limited.

To oversimplify, unions can:

(1) have members strike, which usually turns public sentiment against the 'greedy' union workers, or

(2) litigate, which is an expensive and extremely long process - cases like this can linger in courts for 5-8 years or longer.

If your private employer breaks a signed contract, at least you can take them to small claims court.

There is no quick and easy remedy for unions, which is why they typically offer concessions such as reduced or eliminated pay increases, or the popular one lately - trade for lesser healthcare increases than planned.

I can't tell you how much back pay I've 'traded' for the privilege of a new, negotiated contract - knowing the next administration will probably cry poverty and attempt to ignore or alter the terms of the contract. I know it sounds crazy, but it happens.

and it sounds familiar.

I've had paychecks bounce. I've been paid pro-rata wages. I've been paid in office equipment, furnishings and supplies. I've cashed paychecks rather than risk them being returned for insufficient funds. I've gone to work in the morning only to be informed that as of mid-night I would no longer have health insurtance because the company could not make the premium payment. For almost all of my career I have worked for employers who did not offer any kind of retirement plan - much less matching funds to a 401k.

This kind of stuff should not happen to any employee. But it is not limited to teachers or public employes. Same shit happens to lots of small business employees.

I've never been stiffed by a boss (fortunately), but if I had been you'd better believe I'd pursue the matter in court.

were oil rig workers who were paid with rubber checks for so long they took the oil hostage. So if repubs keep getting in office, it's going to get worse...think the old coal mines that didn't actually pay you, but extended credit at the company store and for company housing, etc.


"Sixteen Tons" comes to mind.

NO money.