Political Insider

By Bill Clinton's Friends Are Sure Richy-Rich and Randy

November 20, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

I’d say Marcus has maxxed out on his meds.

By geekboy

November 20, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this

he needs to worry more about the health of fish and less about shooting people.

By Matt

November 20, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

little bit crazy…

By flyers4n

November 20, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

It is such a hoot to hear the right wing zealots like Marcus sound the alarm about class warfare. The right wing has been conducting class warfare against those with less for at least 30 years, with no one returning the fire. It is as refreshing as a spring rain to hear the tears of the right wing fall to the ground.

By I go to Lowes now

November 20, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

I remember when I used to go into Home Depot and get great help in specific departments. Now all they hire are low-cost employees with NO knowledge of home improvement. Maybe with a union there would be an integrity to the job, now it’s just another crappy retail job manned by immigrants and 19 year old kids.

Go take a swim in your shark tank, Bernie, you elder statesman LOFL

By Eric1

November 20, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this

I knew he was a fruitcake when he started sending money to George W. Bush!

By The Truth Hurts

November 20, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Tell it like it is, Bernie. Unions only increase costs to all of us wherever these parasites attach themselves. Unions only lower standards to the lowest common denominator and do not encourage individual achievement. Join the union if you are unable to provide for yourself.

By I go to Lowes now

November 20, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

I remember when I used to go into Home Depot and get great help in specific departments. Now all they hire are low-cost employees with NO knowledge of home improvement. Maybe with a union there would be an integrity to the job, now it’s just another crappy retail job manned by immigrants and 19 year old kids.

Go take a swim in your shark tank, Bernie, you elder statesman LOFL

By Keep it real!

November 20, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this

It’s amazing every rich person who get substantial tax writes, support from the government have the nerve to talk about our civilization changing when they are the culprit of the financial mess we are in!

AIG,Lehman Brothers, Credit Suisse, Citi-bank and many many more were the originators of alt-a and subprime loans now they are crying for a bail-out but it the government fault for not policing me because I am greedy!

By itpdude

November 20, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

I don’t take this guy serious… . where were his big biz cronies with Clintons gun grabbing? Where were his big biz guys on illegal labor?

Marcus and his guys are only about the green in their pocket. To hell with the rest of us… to hell with him and his, I say.

By Ol Guy

November 20, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

Mr. Marcus is right, look what unions have done for the Big Three auto makers. The only reason M-B,BMW and Toyota are providing jobs in the South is that they have no unions. No bail-outs for them is another truth.

By cat

November 20, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this

He is right! You think our economy stinks now just wait for the union bosses get hold of our country. You want to know why jobs have left for other countries. It’s unions! Detroit is about to go under and the union bosses are trying to get even more pay for employees. These guys already make $75 per hours plus benefits. Between the union bosses and the idoits at the top Detroit will surely die.

By George

November 20, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

It is interesting to see the wealthy captains of industry accusing labor and unions of causing problems for our economy. We all know that the wealthy and powerful are so righteous and have everyone’s best interest at heart. People like Marcus have been running the show for years. Perhaps it is the corporate boards, CEOs and upper management in US industry who run the Western World that are at fault since they have been in charge. It is “harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than a camel to go through the eye of a needle.” Impossible really. It is time for The People to run this country, business and government not a priviledged elite who really don’t care about anything but the size of their wallets.

By geg

November 20, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

Mr. Marcus is correct!!

By DaculaJones

November 20, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

Y’all scare me. Like cattle following the maze to slaughter. Except in this case, your children will suffer for your shortsightedness.

By fed up in gwinnett

November 20, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

I find it hard to believe that anyone (dems or repubs) would advocate card checks. Even the senate voted by secret ballot on Lieberman. So it’s okay for the senate to vote secret ballot but it’s not for the American public. I think the need for unions is long past. They were great back in the day but their time is up. They’ve done nothing for the 3 big car makers, have they? Except for run them in the ground. This bail out is nothing more than a bail out for UAW. Wake up people.

By Arthur Black

November 20, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this

Bernie! You dumb ####! You were the dude that told me to buy the Falcons and pay the Black Guy a ton of money and not worry about Unions

By SP

November 20, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this

Unions can kill business, plain and simple. If Home Depot or Lowes start having to pay $15-$20 an hour for someone to mix paint for me, you can bet there will be fewer employees, and less customer service.

Unions served a purpose when there were no employment laws or oversight. The NEA is a great example of what unions can do to a profession. No longer are people employed by their merits and rewarded as such - now it’s only by seniority.

By Kevin

November 20, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Dear I Go to Lowes Now:

Thank you so much for the laugh today!

Your comment about how unions can “bring integrity to the job” of helping you find a specific nail at Home Depot or Lowe’s really made me chuckle.

Unions do many things for a workplace. Bringing ingrity is certainly not one of them.

By making

November 20, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

ALL these stupid comments and to think, you’re out there voting…let alone driving. Can’t wait to start laughing as we wait to hear all your great words of wisdom in the coming months.

By ginnar

November 20, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this

“Go to Lowe’s…” Yeah, the union workers have done such wonderful things for the Detroit Three. I hope that you’ll be first in line to buy a Reid Roadster built by UAW. Integrity???? Give me a break! Teacher’s unions have also really raised graduation rates in the inner city schools.

By Emily

November 20, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this

Bernie Marcus is a nutball. Who is he calling the “low-hanging fruit”? The workers?!? He must have forgotten that it’s the workers that helped build his business —and his wealth.

By Larry

November 20, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this

So here we have Arthur Blank who left his wife, married a woman half his age, was sued by a former executive for sexual harrassment, awards thugs like Vick 130 million dollars and, of course, supported Obama.

Now we know why Bernie was the CEO and Arther his subordinate!

By lost in space. GOP

November 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

Management has the keys they mess It up for all america . Union only make up a small part of the work force. Aig, citi bank lemans, countywide all are non union. The CEO are the real problem here , they make the rules. You clown talk about the govement , u.s . company are fare worst. World come, enron, I cane keep going Manament in this country has a real problem. They need to be overhauled. The CEO’S make 500 time what the guy on the floor who is doing the real work. Free trade is only for CEO”s. the worker’s get the shaft. Just look around america worker are loseing because of the clown that manage a lot of the company’s we now are use to work for becauae of greed, just the FACTS!! All of us has to make a change but the top has lost there way!!!!!!!

By JerryT

November 20, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this

It’s not the unions who have damaged the auto makers, it is the legacy of those companies paying pensions to their employees. Can I assume that Honda USA et al are not paying pensions? And if they are providing any retirement package at all that it is a 401k style plan based on the stock market? Are ya’ll who are complaining about unions suggesting that all those employees who paid into their pension fund with company matches for all those years now give it to the corporate executives? Are you saying no retirement is a better way to go? Is that the free market solution?

By Sissy Saxby

November 20, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Union membership was much higher in the 1950s and 60s, and our economy was much stronger. The gap between billionaires and normal people has gotten out of control. Sissy Saxby will protect the billionaires, not normal working people.

By Steve

November 20, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Unions have a purpose. But if you think taking aware a person’s ability to vote in privacy about joining a union is smart you are sadly mistaken. The unions want this so people will be pressured into saying yes – not on the merits of the union. The Democrats want it because the union’s leadership is in their pockets. Look what the unions are doing to the big three auto makers!

And to all the people out there who want the government to make all the decisions for them and take care of them. Please answer one question: what besides running a military do they do well?

It seems we need to change our countries motto from “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to “”Take from the rich, and give to the poor” (with a 50% handling fee)

Welcome to the USA Karl Marx

By justduckie

November 20, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

Mr. Marcus probably has a lot of flaws. However, I do want posters to remember a couple of things. Nardelli was the one who brought low-cost no experience help to Home Depot. Seems he leaves a wake of broken companies as he is currently flying his private jet to Washington to beg for Chrysler. Second - yes, Bernie is a billionaire. He also has many philanthropic endeavors such as his project to provide healthcare for injured soldiers at Shepherd Center, the Marcus Autism Center, the Marcus Foundation being three right off the top of my head. So you may think he’s a quack but he’s funding a tremendous amount of good work. It’s critical in times like these that generous, caring people like him exist. Just keep the balance in the posts, please!

By James

November 20, 2008 1:02 PM | Link to this

You bunch of left wing liberals hang on for one hell of a ride! Who are you going to cry to when you receive “your” pink slip? Don’t think it will happen? Seeing will be believing! Small businesses which make up 70% of the workforce will have no choice but to cut jobs in hopes of surviving. If you’re working you’re now in a recession but for those not working…just ask…they’re in a depression! It would be laughable if you dumbies were the only ones to pay for your mistake but, regrettably, we all have to pay! And, thank you for nothing!

By TM in Suwanee

November 20, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this

Y’all kill me. It would be nice if the world were as black and white as you like to make it. I’m not a fan of unions and their influence and I don’t agree with the card check thing.

But, to say unions put the big 3 out of business is ridiculous. Their cost structures, just like the airlines, are ridiculous because of unionization. But, the fact that their strategic planning and executive management didn’t have the foresight or intelligence to know that cheap gas wouldn’t last forever and people wouldn’t always be replacing cars every 18-24 months are is idiotic at best, negligent at worst. They were shortsighted. They chased the big margins on SUVs and pickups right over the cliff of $4 gas. They ceded the treehugger segment to the Japanese. Where they did do something out of the mainstream, they focused on building niche cars like the new Charger instead of investing in the next generation of autos.

No one’s blameless in this one. If you think one side or the other is totally at fault then you’re not really thinking. All I know is if there is a bailout, coming from you and me, for them, I don’t want the same knuckleheads who ran the big 3 into the ground to be in charge. And, the unions will have to share in this debacle since all union contracts should be voided and renegotiated. No matter how you slice it, we’re all eating a nice s@*t sandwich.

By Steve

November 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Unions have a purpose. But if you think taking aware a person’s ability to vote in privacy about joining a union is smart you are sadly mistaken. The unions want this so people will be pressured into saying yes – not on the merits of the union. The Democrats want it because the union’s leadership is in their pockets. Look what the unions are doing to the big three auto makers!

And to all the people out there who want the government to make all the decisions for them and take care of them. Please answer one question: what besides running a military do they do well?

It seems we need to change our countries motto from “E PLURIBUS UNUM” to “”Take from the rich, and give to the poor” (with a 50% handling fee)

Welcome to the USA Karl Marx

By jw

November 20, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Go to lowe’s - and the people at your new home improvement store are unionized? HEE HEE!!! What rock did you crawl behind and hide? Explain the exodus from the union rich states to the Southern US and that will explain why Mercedes, Toyota, VW, Huyandi are building auto plants HERE instead of in Michigan - that UNION you speak of is killing our country. The folks working at these plants aren’t complaining too much right now! They have a job! Don’t see any of those big union boss dudes coming to anyone’s aid right now - they don’t have time - they are just looking out for their butts right now! There are a lot of Ford and Chevy employees in this area who probably don’t have a lot of nice things to say about ‘your unions’ right now! Maybe Bernie ain’t so crazy - if you think about it!

By Michael K

November 20, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

You people that think you have a right to form a union are economic idiots. The employer owns the job, not the union. So when Unions invade Walmart and HomeDepot, kiss you job goodbye and say hello Manpower. There is no reason to unionize jobs at retailers since you know what to expect when you accepted the job. Working for a retailer I know what Barney is talking about. People should look at the benefits such as stock option, holiday pay, etc and if the jobs isn’t what you expect, QUIT

By ohyeah

November 20, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

bernie should regain his focus on keeping that big fish tank stocked

By making

November 20, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Excellent comments from James and Justduckie! Until each American starts taking charge of their own financial state for retirement and work real hard for themself because if they don’t, they will find that they will NEVER be able to retire and enjoy their senior years. You have to learn to stop counting on finacial assistance from the government…there’s NO funds NOW.

By making

November 20, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

Excellent comments from James and Justduckie! Until each American starts taking charge of their own financial state for retirement and work real hard for themself because if they don’t, they will find that they will NEVER be able to retire and enjoy their senior years. You have to learn to stop counting on finacial assistance from the government…there’s NO funds NOW.

By JeremiahWright

November 20, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

Marcus is right on. Unfortunately, the loons haven’t caught on yet. Who the hell could ever vote for Al Franken for Senator? Those people obviously know nothing of his background other than his SNL skits. Wake up morons before you finish off our country!

By ThaMan

November 20, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I’ll wipe my a$$ with a union check card.

By Norm

November 20, 2008 1:18 PM | Link to this

I just had to get in on this after reading Emily’s comment. Emily, it was not just the employees who made Bernie successful, it was the CUSTOMERS!!! They bought the goods. Trace the development of Home Depot back and you’ll see it started during the 22% interest rate days of Jimmy Carter. No one could afford a new house, so they fixed up their old ones. When unions take hold of places like Home Deport, Wal-Mart, and K-Mart you can kiss good deals goodbye. Prices will skyrocket and service will go in the tank as less employees are hired, the good ones leave, and all that’s left to help you find that special nail is a person dependent on his or her union for benefits.

By Fred

November 20, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

All a union would do is insure that those unhelpful teens in the orange vests would get paid a lot more and never lose their jobs… all at a much higher cost to everyone shopping there. Unions destroy individual initiative and add another layer of bureaucracy to an already complicated business model, a layer that doesn’t really care about profitability… the endgame of ANY enterprise.

And dismissing the advice of someone who’s been there, and built a successful business out of nothing, is just sad, willful ignorance.

By JeremiahWright

November 20, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Marcus is right on. Unfortunately, the loons haven’t caught on yet. Who the hell could ever vote for Al Franken for Senator? Those people obviously know nothing of his background other than his SNL skits. Wake up morons before you finish off our country!

By woodie

November 20, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

For those who forgot history, you should spend some time reading about the Industrial Revolution. Spend some time reading Louis Stevenson’s books. This will explain why union’s exists to begin with. Corporate America caused Unions to come into existence to begin with. It’s like a two-headed hydra situation. Each trying to work in their own best interests. It’s the nature of capitalism.

By JeremiahWright

November 20, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

Hey Arthur Black:

It’s Arthur “Blank”, you idiot.

By Eleanor

November 20, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

I am a depression baby and at one time Unions were the answer to and for the working man but no more. Unions have destroyed alot of businesses. That being said, Mr. Marcus I have always had alot of respect for you and for the many things you have done for the community; however, I am very very disappointed in your comments, very disappointed. And it is because of this present administration (Bushies) that we are in the mess we are in. Detroit should GET ABSOLUTELY NO MONEY FROM THE TAXPAYER. Bob Nardelli just about ran the company you started into the ground before being booted out albeit with a huge golden parachute and the nerve of the CEO’s flying into DC on private aircraft when they could have flown commercial and then have the nerve to ask for taxpayer money - these CEO’s are no better than the Unions. I am just very disappointed in you and your choice of words.

By HOWARD

November 20, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

UNION 30YRS. AND PROUD OF IT..WE ARE WHAT SKILLED LABOR IS ALL ABOUT.WE PAY TAXES..WE SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS,AND NEIGHBOR HOOD.WE ARE ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITIES JUST AS YOU ARE.WE WANT THE BEST FOR OUT FAMILIES JUST AS YOU DO. MY UNION HELPS TO PROTECT MY JOB. I PERFORM AT A PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AND MY EMPLOYER IS GLOBAL AND HAS THE PROFITS TO PROVE IT.IN RETURN I GET A GOOD VACATION PACKAGE,HEALTH,DENTAL AND VISION CARE FOR MY FAMILY..STAND UP AND BE PROUD UNION MEMBERS

By Stephen

November 20, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Mr. Marcus is DEAD ON CORRECT to voice his concerns on this subject. All you have to do is look to the BIG THREE, you know, those guys praying hard right now for some FREE government cash to save them from what the UNIONS have wreaked on them for 70+ years. The old time fighters have died and with that will go everything this country was built from the ground up on. Socialism is alive and well, it’s new home is the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and it does not appear that the majority wants anything other than what we are going to get. Was it Benjamin Franklin that said “Any government big enough to give you everything you want is big enough to take away everything you have!” IT IS THAT SIMPLE FOLKS-FROM OVER 232 YEARS AGO!!!!!DUHHHH????

By Sue

November 20, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

None of us would have the standard of living we enjoy now were it not for the unions. If it had been left to the “good only boy’s club” to do the right thing for their workers (who contribute mightly to the bottom line) there would have been no pensions, health insurance, sick days, etc. Carnegie was a great philantropist, but he also treated his workers like indentured servants. Certainly, some Uions have worked to the detriment of business; however to lay all blame of today’s economy at the feet of unions, is foolish. Many posters have no problem with the NFL, NBA, etc. which are unions and even quasi unions such as the AMA. To summarize - I think Bernie has assumed his own importance.

By Hmmmmmm

November 20, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

Flyers4N

Class WARFARE!? The last 30 years? HOW THICK CAN YOU BE! Class Warfare is ONE of the BIGGEST reasons you voted in a SOCIALIST as the next President! You “libs” never cease to amaze!

By FurmanTechFan

November 20, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

I Go To Lowes…Bernie is no longer Involved in HD…Your statement is paramount to complaining to Ted Turner about the Braves Short comings. Though I am sure you probably think he is still involved in their management. Silly socialists…

By Chaz

November 20, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this

Hey Howard… you’re a bot.

By Donna P.

November 20, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

I was a temp secretary once at the union Postal facility that handled postal employees’ medical claims. I was told I could only use the bathroom between 10:00 am - 10:15 am and between 2:00 pm - 2:15 pm. I was given the 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm lunch break. I only lasted one week because I went to the bathroom at 11:30 am one time and a union employee saw me leave my desk to do so. WOW, I can’t believe people pay the Unions to tell them when to go to the bathroom. Unions are a JOKE!! I can’t wait until company after company are forced into unions and people will see how out of touch Unions are.

By CDUB

November 20, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Glaxo Smith Kline should have done more testing on that Geritol Xtreme.. By the way, Unions will suck this country dry if you let them. I agree with Bernie, we all must contribute to the Georgia Knight Riders —Uh Umm, I meant the GOP..

By Tired of Idiots

November 20, 2008 1:42 PM | Link to this

Unions are the AIDS of business. It will be a glorious day when we have the UAW with nothing to picket. They make $78.00 an hour and are nothing but lazy drunks that produce inferior work and are bested by 3rd world labor. Good-bye to unions as you die slowly.

By D

November 20, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Unions are killing the automakers and other industries because they do not provide market based solutions that allow companies to deal with the ebb and flow of the business cycle. When times are good workers should be rewarded, when times are bad, everyone needs to cut back - CEOs included. Unions do not allow for that fluctuation because they are only worried about themselves and not the actual industry that hires them.

By Andy

November 20, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

HEY, IF THE UNION IS SO GREAT, YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ORGANIZE WITHOUT GOVERNMENT-SANCTIONED INTIMIDATION …and shouting your empty slogans at us.

By making

November 20, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this

Just remember when Congress lets the big 3 automakers go under…(and they should if several changes aren’t implemented immedicately…ie, no bonus, reduced pay for ALL employees) we, all americans will be the real ones to hurt. It will result in millions of jobs lost, let alone the loss of a smaller choice in selecting a new car to purchase. I know of two large companies here in Atlanta, that will be cutting their employee workforce by 25% on this Friday…remember the voting lines, they were the preview of the new unemployment lines! 2008 was the good times…2009 and 2010, you will never forget like 9/11!!!

By bmm

November 20, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

I like George’s comment: It is time for The People to run this country, business and government not a priviledged elite who really don’t care about anything but the size of their wallets.

Yes and once The People take over (whoever the select few will be), they will then be the Man, and the next “The People” will have to take over! Fact is, there will always be a select few in leadership positions.

Regarding union’s bringing integrity, etc. My favorite experience with Union labor was at my law school cafeteria when an employee cussed his boss out in front of a cafe full of customers (because the boss wouldn’t give him time off). After the incident, the union employee told me he could get away with that because the Union would protect his job. I continued to see him at the cafe for the remainder of my stay at school (2 years)!

By Mitchel Haralson

November 20, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this

Is not this some kind of ” Homegrown Domestic Terrorist Threat”, and does the Department of Homeland Security know about this?

By bigdawg88

November 20, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

I don’t think all unions should be painted with the same brush. There are some unions out there that make sure their workers are productive. Then there are other unions that operate on sheer greed.

Don’t point all the fingers at the UAW, some Toyota plants are unionized and do quite well. Some of the problem is the slowness of the American automakers to properly design their cars from beginning to end with as little waste as possible, which is why it takes longer to make an American car than a Japanese car even though both use American workers.

And autoworkers don’t make $75 an hour plus benefits. The $75 an hour INCLUDES healthcare and other benefits paid out. Don’t forget, the big 3 has a much older workforce than Toyota and they still have to pay some retiree benefits. The Japanese automakers haven’t been around long enough to have retirees here. the actual wages are not that much different, it’s the healthcare costs that are making the biggest difference, other than the design strategy.

One of the big 3’s biggest problems is that Japanese companies are more long-term focused while American companies (automakers) look too much at making a fast buck. That’s why instead of working to reduce production or make their cars better during the good times, they resorted to zero percent financing just to keep their sales numbers inflated. Now with low demand they have no choice but to break out the tin cups. Let them file bankruptcy and reorganize. Only problem is, we’ll still probably end up footing the bill for their pension funds.

As for Bernie, he sounds crazy as hell. We have something called freedom in this country. If a company can hire lawyers and other experts to keep out unions, then the workers should get a chance to form together to give themselves a better bargaining position. Isn’t that free-enterprise? That being said, unions do need to change their strategies and work more towards helping the company, but then so do some of the executives. Both are somewhat at fault here.

By Ain't so

November 20, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

I won’t be going to see Bernie’s fishes any longer. Sissy Saxby don’t need my money by way of Marcus.

Union folks unite and boycott the big fish tank cause the owner has a big mouth.

By I Still Bleed Orange

November 20, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

These comments about Bernie are obviously from people who never worked for him. I worked for HD for almost 2 decades and I have nothing but the utmost respect for Bernie and Arthur. They understood how to make a great company by instilling a sense of pride and individual ownership at every level of the company; from the cashiers to the executives. The term for it was Bleeding Orange. The unions never had a chance with the HD employees because we understood that it was our collective hard work that kept the company on top and we all shared in the rewards. Unfortunately, after Bernie and Arthur left the demise of Big Orange started and it became a hollow shell of the company it used to be. I still have nothing but respect for Bernie and Arthur and would work for either of them again any day given the opportunity.

By Gaspar the Friendly Ghost

November 20, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this

Really?

Skills, could be. Labor? Happened when the auto industry went down. The only “professional performance” that Howard’s ever done is the video for the “How to be Lazy” seminar of the Pay My Way curriculum at Not My Job University.

Look, I don’t necessarily trust “business leaders,” those who drive cars that can stop on a dime and pick it up. But I sure as heck don’t trust labor union leaders who have made a profession out of “maximum-pay-for-minimum-work.” Unions have no interest in the success or profitability of a company. They just want to squeeze the “golden teat” of the money train, discard it when it’s done, then cry, “it’s not fair. Business has to take care of me first, and if I can’t get what I want, then you will get nothing.

It wasn’t always that way. Then the unions started pimping themselves out to mobsters, or they simply took for themselves under the guise of “taking care of our members.”

Truth is, labor and management killed the goose that laid the golden egg a long time ago. They’re just so busy yelling at each other and at the crowd of onlookers that they failed to hear the sirens going off on the production line, and both of them will be wailing “Is’s not fair!” even as the casket of manufacturing is being lowered into the grave.

So, good for Howard, and the union that protects a job that his employer can no longer afford. And good for Bernie and his cadre of thugs that can pinch a nickel ‘til the buffalo poops, all the while refusing to invest their profits into something other than pants with pockets stitched with titanium wool to hold their money.

And good for the rest of us who continue to pay for this crap.

By making

November 20, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

They won’t have to boycott the big fish tank, they won’t have any money to buy the ticket…

By Al

November 20, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Hope your big ole fish tank springs a giant leak. Done with Home Depot.

By SweetSweetKarma

November 20, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Many of you here that are antiunion are examples of what they call “low information voters”. You are underinformed and simply repeating talking points devised by the Republican noise machine.

What Marcus fears is the loss of power! Republicans, with a big assist from some Democrats, allowed employers to hold all the power in the employment relationship.As a result, wages have gone down, jobs have been shipped to companies overseas, benefit costs have risen, pensions have disappeared and the scam 401k’s have appeared, etc…

But productivity has risen along with corporate profit and executive pay.The middle class has started to shrink and you have people here wanting to give employers more power??

The Employee Free Choice Act allows employees to choose a secret ballot process to elect union representation if they do not desire a card check election, but employers are required to accept whichever method employees choose.

There is no “taking away of secret ballot”. What is taken away is the employers right to select which method employees use to decide if they want to unionize.We the middle class are fighting for our jobs and to be fairly compensated.Prices have already gone up and workers have not shared in the bounty.

Change is coming. There is no right to get super rich, it’s a privilege.People have spent too long thinking that they exist for the benefit of companies and employers. With the Employee Free Choice Act the reality that built the middle class and made the U.S. the top economic power is coming back.

Please read for yourselves about The Employee Free Choice Act. If someone gives you that line about “taking away secret ballot”, then encourage them to read about it also because it does no such thing. It only takes away the employers right to make you use a secret ballot.You want a secret ballot you can use it, but it’s up to the employees to decide, not the employer.

By Bozo

November 20, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Hope your big old fish tank springs a leak.

By Bozo

November 20, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Hope your big old fish tank springs a leak.

By john j

November 20, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

What has Bernie Marcus done? Started a company with his money, not yours or the governments. Employ’s nearly 350,000 people. And this does not include all the companies that sell to HD, conservatively another 175,000 jobs. Sales of over $75 billion. This generates over $4.5 BB in local sales taxes Pay’s over $3BB a year in corporate taxes. When all the Bernie bashers do half of what this man has does I will be happy to listen to their rants.

By Bozo

November 20, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

Hope your big old fish tank springs a leak.

By Pamela

November 20, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

Wow! Now THAT’S 2 minutes of my life gone and wasted reading this raving maniac’s thoughts…..

By the man

November 20, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Fish-Loving Bernie get as upset with the Wall Street thieves who have destroyed our economy? What a POS !!!

By Hmmmmmm

November 20, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Flyers4N

Class WARFARE!? The last 30 years? HOW THICK CAN YOU BE! Class Warfare is ONE of the BIGGEST reasons you voted in a SOCIALIST as the next President! You “libs” never cease to amaze!

By Bill

November 20, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this

He may not have been very tactful, but he was correct.

By rm

November 20, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

all of these retailers built their businesses on the BACKS of workers making a paltry living.

time to redistribute the wealth THEY helped to create.

Tell Bob Nardelli to send back his $290 Million parachute.

By Mike

November 20, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

Anyone who thinks unions are the problem with this country is an idiot. The fact is union membership in the U.S. has been in steep decline since the 60s, and due to NAFTA and GATT, most of the union jobs in this country have been outsourced to China and Mexico. If less unions = a more properous economy, the U.S. economy should be booming, and it isn’t.

Actually, you market fundamentalists have had things pretty much your way ever since Reagan took office, and your ideas have run this country into the ground. For the last 30 years, we’ve had tax cuts, de-regulation, free trade, declining union membership, and now the country is facing the sort of economic crisis it hasn’t faced since the 1920s, which not surprisingly was the last time big business ran things in the U.S.

By RenaP

November 20, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this

i love the way executives always blame the unions. we certainly have learned that the people with unions backing them up seem to get a better deal than those of us that have to fight for ourselves. afterall - these executives certainly aren’t going to give up any of their cash to pay us. We do need unions in the south

By GABucki

November 20, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

If you would like to see what unions have done to industry in the USA, go to Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio, and see what happened to the steel industry because the unions priced them right out of the American market. It happened long enough ago that most people don’t remember that tragic beginning of what we now call the “rust belt.” I lived there during that period, and remember that the union bosses used to call strikes that lasted so long that the rank-and-file workers never regained what they had lost during the strike. Many of those cities are now on Forbes list of the ten fastest dying cities in America. Only Pittsburgh was wise enough to diversify so that their city would not die.

Mr. Marcus’ words may not be pleasant, but he knows whereof he speaks. And incidentally, he doesn’t own the “fish tank” methinks - didn’t he give it to Atlanta? Also, if you don’t buy at Home Depot, you will only hurt the current employees, not Bernie and Arthur.

By MWC

November 20, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

SweetSweetKarma is AWESOME!!! Bernie has gone senile…

By john j

November 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

I agree Nardelli was a bad act. If you want the largest piece of the pie, then you need to put up your money and you take the risk. That is what capitalism is all about. No one is stopping you from moving to the economic level you think you deserve. And that is the basic problem, people think they “deserve” it rather than taking the risk to EARN it. I, or you, are the only one who can take the credit or balme for our success or failure.

By DD

November 20, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this

And how many mom and pop retailers did big box retailers like Home Depot put out of business?

By Enoch McCarter

November 20, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this

Why are the unions demanding that the secret ballot be abolished for union votes. Why is it better if the union rep with two big goons comes by to ask me to sign my card?

What are the unions so afraid of that they would seek legislation to abolish the secret ballot?

If secret ballots for union representation is a bad idea, which other secret ballots would the Democrats like to get rid of?

Does anyone with a room temperature IQ or higher really think that the US will be better off with more compulsory unions?

Why is the democrat party so in the pocket of Big Labor?

By deegee

November 20, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this

Have any of you folks seen the acres and acres of land that a car manufacturing facility consumes? And you think that foreign companies are choosing to build them on pastureland in Alabama and Tennessee because of the cost of labor? What do you think that Hyundai would be paying in real estate and taxes in Michigan or Connecticut vs. what it is paying in a town outside of Montgomery, Alabama? What do you think it costs to heat and cool a plant in Alabama vs. one in Michigan? There are seaports in Mobile, New Orleans and Savannah, and the interstate highway systems are less congested in the south than they are in the north. No wonder Americans are getting their azzes handed to them by their competition. They are so blinded by BS that they can’t even see straight.

By self sufficient

November 20, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this

The Union is nothing more than organized crime getting their hand in, does anyone really know what your Union dues pay for, if yo do please let me know, because I have yet to see them do any good for anyone. Mr. Obama will save all of you, feel free to quit working, quit paying your bills and your mortgages, join the union and have no job to go to because the cost of everything will be too high to produce and allof your union jobs will go overseas, then let’s see how the union will save you….

By lost in space. GOP

November 20, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this

Is management worker friend? Who has made the most money ceo’s or workers. who had hurt the country most CEO’S are workers. Who make all the rules? Big business can be good but over half have lost there way. CEO’S leave with millions worker a 101 ‘k. Some body who make a company should get million but a guy some board full of yes men and women get million set up by there rules worker don’t have a chance! CEO’S have lost there way!!

By NObama NO peace

November 20, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this

Hey Bozo…we got your rant the first time, lay off hitting the post button multiple times!

Talk to me about the KROGER union and the big $.25 cents an hour pay raise, yeah, big woop for the unions….please!

By TM

November 20, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Figures that the AJC would be eager to print something like this, especially that last comment about donations to Saxby. May be Marcus is right! Well we all can just sit back now and wait for things to happen under this new administration and then when things start to screw up, we can just say “I told you so”. I’m already seeing the signs.

By Bernie's in Bed w/Bush

November 20, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this

Bernie’s boy Nardelli was the biggest corporate fundraiser for the GOP. He held lavish fund-raisers at his home many times. So what did he get for it? Well, the first Bush administration eliminated tariffs on imported ceiling fans.

Now Home Depot sells more ceiling fans than all other retailers combined. Now did the retail price go down? Noooooooooo!

Of course if you held Home Depot stock, it languished for Nardelli’s entire tenure, even though they dominated their market. When he got fired, he walked away with over $100 million.

Go to Loew’s!!!!!!!!

By TW7

November 20, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this

Wow, at the same time that a major industry that has had its competitive legs chopped off by unions is in Washington begging for tax payer funded aid, we have people promoting a change whose sole purpose is to make it easier for unions to infiltrate non-union companies. Is the irony lost on everyone?

By Jim

November 20, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this

How in the world can the very legislative body, the US HOUSE and SENATE vote in caucus meetings for their leaders, and VOTE BY SECRET BALLOT, but then plan to vote for the Card Check bill that prohibits that same SECRET Ballot by employees of a business on whether or not go join a union. How is a secret ballot, what this country was founded on no longer good for the employees of a business. Our Congress is nothing but a bunch of HIPPOCRATS..

By RaceCop

November 20, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

It is racist to talk bad about unions. It is also racist to insult the Democrat Party.

By JR

November 20, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this

It’s so strange that the same people that accused Bush of taking away their rights lined up to vote for someone whose first promise was to take way the secret ballot and make it the “law of the land”!

By Fred Funk

November 20, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Um, yeah, someone should tie a heavy weight to the ‘chief narcissist Bernie’ and drown him in his ‘monument-to-himself’ that waste of space and money known as the Georgia Aquarium. By the way, yet another goofball who is given credit for being a business genius when all he did was show up at the right place at the right time…gee, I sell hardware during one of the longest bull markets for housing…man I’m sooooo smart…i think I’ll go build a giant fish tank with my cash.

By chilidog

November 20, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

My G’dad use to tell me, “son when the republicans are in power the rich get richer and the poor get poorer”. That is what has happen for the last 8 years, and now they are begging for more in a bailout. I say HELL NO!!! Let them file for bankruptcy and reorganize like Delta did. As for the union on jobs, that is the only equalizer that the little man have on these jobs. If half these “wanna be poor republicans” had not voted the way they did in the last two elections, they would still have a job, and Georgia would not have the high unemployment rate that it has today. These companies are laying off now not because of the economy, but cutting back to put more money in their pockets by making one employee do the work of 3, with no benefits at all. MORE POWER TO THE UNIONS.

By Fred Funk

November 20, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Um, yeah, someone should tie a heavy weight to the ‘chief narcissist Bernie’ and drown him in his ‘monument-to-himself’ that waste of space and money known as the Georgia Aquarium. By the way, yet another goofball who is given credit for being a business genius when all he did was show up at the right place at the right time…gee, I sell hardware during one of the longest bull markets for housing…man I’m sooooo smart…i think I’ll go build a giant fish tank with my cash.

By GoodScout

November 20, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

Deamonizing unions is so 20th Century, Bernie. We’re a lot more enlightened now — we demonize the rich, exploitive CEOs who fly in corporate jets to Washington to demand handouts, and shell out donations to senators who put the interest of sugar executives above the lives of their own constituents. We The People are on to all of you, Bernie, Saxby, et al. And change is coming. Time for TRICKLE-UP economics!

By donald

November 20, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this

The last time people worked for free was during Slavery. The old adage “you get what you pay for” rings as true today as when the slaogn was invented. If Marcus wants to keeps Unions out, then pay your employees a decent, living wage, plain and simple.

Toyota, Honda and other foreign automakers do it, why can’t other employers. Is there something these companies are doing that idiots like Marcus and others can’t or won’t?

I can see why the Ga Aquarium is in trouble, with a nitwit like this it’s a wonder the fish are still swimming!!

By deegee

November 20, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

When the rich are unhappy they have no one to blame but themselves. Cry me a river.

By Turbo Ricer

November 20, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

Is it possible to lose the Automakers and not the jobs? Those cars suck..

By dd

November 20, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this

I worked my butt off for my previous employer.

I had 2 puny pay increases in 7 years and was told that I was lucky to get those.

Meanwhile, the exec’s were living high off of the hog.

I wish I could have joined a union. I would have glady paid my union dues to stick it to those greedy jerks.

It’s all about appreciation. Get it and there’s no need for a union.

I can see the other side too. I’m really not for unions.

I think they were good in the 50’s.

Isn’t Palin’s husband in a union?

By Kiljoy

November 20, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this

Eat fish and die!

By making

November 20, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

More stupid comments from idiots that don’t have a clue of the coming months…enjoy the long lines!

By Keep it real!

November 20, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Let’s see the unions destroyed the financial markets! They destroyed the housing market! The Unions import all the undocumented workers to America!

Mike you hit it right on the button, these CEO think they make the world turn so I guess they are turning our economy into shambles!

THE LEXUS sells for as much as an SUV where is our LEXUS?

The management of the BIG 3 are stupid just like all the CEO that run the banking companies!

By drew

November 20, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

wow…won’t be going to that Aquarium or Home Depot any more:(

I had always recieved better service at Lowe’s anyways

By MD N8tv in GA

November 20, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this

The rantings of a man who kept unions out and cut customer service to amass a personal fortune so that he could build an unneccesary aquarium in a city with no natural water feature.

Sir, do not tell others who to vote for or who to contribute to. It’s tacky and frankly, rather insulting.

By making

November 20, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

Americans should stop buying foreign made cars…I buy ONLY American made products…it’s not easy but it’s the only thing that will put the USA back as the leader of the free world and the country that others look up to and not at us!

By BUSHWACKER

November 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

Just remember this, when you get something for nothing by way of unions, you end up with GM, FORD, AIRLINES and other industries who can no longer pay their own bills and soon will be out of business!

Nothing is free!!!

By Karen

November 20, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this

I love how unions go in and make all of these promises to the workers. What some of those workers need to be asking is what is happening to the dues they pay because every shop plant my husband has worked in didn’t have funds to fight the employer on decisions that were made. One was having a bake sale to raise money for legal action. Organizers are living in nice homes that none of the workers could ever afford while they have these false promises that the union will be there to help them when they are in trouble. Doesn’t work that way!! That’s why my husband isn’t a member of the union.

By Dan

November 20, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Bernie made a lot of hourly people millionaires while he was running Home Depot. Also gave us more than fairly priced goods and services.

His succesor Nardelli sure didnt. He ruined Home Depot and now he is begging before congress as CEO of Chrysler.

Think Bernie knows what he is talking about

By Rick Porter

November 20, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this

Testing 1,2,3

By Brianna

November 20, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this

It sounds like everybody bought right into the media sound bites. Since everyone is a victim now. Have fun blaming Bush for the rest of your life.

By Gus

November 20, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Yeah a unionized HD workforce will improve their customer service about as much as national health insurance will improve patient care. Bernie Marcus is right and his anger at the ignorance of many Americans is quite understandable.

By KZ in New York

November 20, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

I wrote to Home Depot to tell them that they have lost me permanently as a customer. Bernie Marcus and his kind are the reason this country is going down the tubes.

As for cars…my Toyota was union-made (I made sure of that) in Canada. It was economical to buy; it runs great, has great gas mileage, impeccable reliability. Who needs Detroit?

By making

November 20, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

Well said Gus!

By gwc

November 20, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this

Those kool-aid drinkers who focus on the supposed “ranting” of Marcus need only to WATCH, the demise of the three major auto makers in our country while still holding tightly to their UNION CARDS! ‘Nuff said!

By JD

November 20, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this

I thought Bernie Mac was dead???

By Dave Michaels

November 20, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Without a doubt ole Bernie has hammered himself into a corner. I recommend he read an article titled, Ship Of Fools in the Nov. 13th issue of The Economist. Sadly enough there are not a lot of pictures to help him.

By Matt

November 20, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this

The only thing unions do is give a Soviet-style system where the ones “in,” the ones lucky enough to have union jobs get paid $20/hr to be a cashier at a grocery store. Meanwhile, everybody else has to pay higher prices and has lower standards of living, as they did in Soviet countries.

Welcome to Obama’s America.

By Mark

November 20, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

From the comments I have read, most of you “dont get it”. This country was based on secret ballot at the ballot box in all forms of selecting how we wished to live and be governed. What is being proposed is no more secret ballot for going union or not union; this does not mean workers cannot unionize if they wish. What it DOES mean is that now those who say NO will be publicly identified as voting against the union. Talk to someone in the northeast and ask them how safe they would be for voting anti-union. This is way for the unions to identify which workers are against them, which frees them to use whatever means is needed to “convince them”. Think this isn’t dangerous can’t happen? Think again, becuase if this is your viewpoint you are foolish. This is NOT about rich guys getting richer. This is about free workers remaining SAFE and free to choose what kind of workplace they want…..

By OutSideAgitator

November 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

SOUNDS LIKE HOMEY HAS BEEN IN RUSH LIMBURGER’S PILL BOX AND CHASED EM WITH MCPAIN/PALEONE KOOL-AID ;-)

By woodman

November 20, 2008 4:46 PM | Link to this

Look at the auto industry that needs a bailout to see what unions do to an work place

By You Stupid Lazy Americans

November 20, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

A great president once said… “Before government can hand out a single dollar, that dollar must be taken away from another individual who earned it.” I applaud Marcus for speaking the truth as you certainly won’t hear it from the press. In the old Soviet Union, they have a word for our mainstream media: PRAVDA.

To all you sorry folks who are waiting on a handout from the unions or the governments, why don’t you wake up. Your parents and those who came before you did not build this great country with attitudes like that. Our forefathers are rolling in their graves right now. Unfortunately, I fear that this great nation will falter under the socialist, “spread the wealth” policies of our new president, Barak Lenin Obama.

By Watch yor tongue old man

November 20, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this

Bernie Marcus, an old Republican Jewish man using the LORD’S name in vain is ignorant and trashy.

By williebkind

November 20, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

My friend who is an electrician was hired by the union to hang lights for a new business up north. He and another electrician went to the worksite and saw what was needed. After, a few minutes they ageed they could have the job done right within 3 days and go home. After, the first day they were well on their way to accomplishing their mission. Then the union boss arrived and started cursing them and talking really bad to them. They asked what was the problem and he stated they could only hang so many lights per day because of a contracted union regulation. They knew then it would take all week, but they only worked half a day and got paid for all day at union wages. Now thats the kind of job I want! Sign me up! I can work 20 hours a week and get paid for 40. Yes yes I love it. However if I were the one paying for the building I would be rather peeved, unless I were a liberal and believed in socialism. Someone on an earlier blog stated it correctly. It was (I paraphrase) that in the beginning the unions were a necessary evil but now they have become an unnecessary evil. I totally agree. We, who live down south make it on lesser wages and the union workers can live the high life by adding grossly to the consumer burdens of living. We are consumers too! NO UNIONS!!

By UB

November 20, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

As a nego. for union talks with the company I work for let me tell you Bernie is 100% right. There was a time in this country where Unions were needed. That time is long gone. They are dirty crooked thugs, that bully and berate people into their way of thinking. I see it first hand. It gives sorry people job security. Dont believe me? Look at Consumer Reports Car issue. All of the top 10 best buys are not American Cars.

By deegee

November 20, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

You think that the automaker CEOs that sat in front of congress yesterday don’t belong to a union? Did you see their reaction when they were asked if they would consider working for $1.00 next year if they accepted the bailout cash? You think that their salary isn’t protected by their Boards of Directors? You think that Bob Nardelli gives a rat’s azz about whether anyone ever buys another Chrysler? They are crying “union” to distract you so that you won’t notice that they are picking your pocket. Focus, focus, focus!

By fart dripler

November 20, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this

“Gung-Ho” with Michael Keaton was a far superior look at Union’s in the U.S.A. and the devastation on are softball leagues, “Norma Rae” was a yawn starring the awkwardly sexy Sally Field. So, your both wrong hug each other and move-on……

By Shanteesha

November 20, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this

Another example of rich white people like this billionaire marcus trying to keep down black people, by stopping them from joining unions and getting all the benefits they deserve from these rich companies. It never stops—-I’m getting tired of it. I can’t wait until a few weeks when Obama’s in charge and getting all this stuff cleaned up!

By T. Jones

November 20, 2008 7:33 PM | Link to this

25 years ago Bernie started with 1 store, 1 idea, and no money. Just an investor who believed in his American Dream. An Odyssey that employees over 300,000 people today and brought Atlanta a distinction of importance in the world business community. How success is define is not by what someone has been given, but what they have earned! Unions are smaller governments always taking and rarely giving!

Don’t forget the opinions what the past historic capitalist have observed:

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

I own that I am not a friend to a very energetic government. It is always oppressive. Thomas Jefferson

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. Thomas Jefferson

I have friends in overalls whose friendship I would not swap for the favor of the kings of the world. Thomas A. Edison

By Jason

November 21, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Boiled down…this issue is not about ‘unions’ but about union members having the right to a secret ballot. That is it. Not a vote about whether unions should be allowed to organize but simply about having the right to a secret ballot. I work for Home Depot - I love this company! Home Depot will never admit it but they did not like Nardelli either. He is a grouch.

By Jason

November 21, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Boiled down…this issue is not about ‘unions’ but about union members having the right to a secret ballot. That is it. Not a vote about whether unions should be allowed to organize but simply about having the right to a secret ballot. I work for Home Depot - I love this company! Home Depot will never admit it but they did not like Nardelli either. He is a grouch.

By bigdawg88

November 21, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

To the person commenting about the steel industry demise… it is well-known (except by you) and documented that the reason for the failure of the American steel industry was the management. Foreign steel makers switched to mini-mills while we stayed with the old gigantic steel plants. The mini-mills were able to ship between different types of steel quickly and were able to beat the US on lead time and eventually on price due to higher efficiencies of production. That was NOT the fault of the unions.

If Toyota and the other foreign companies are willing to hire American workers and maintain them, even with unions, it must not all be the fault of the unions. Besides, if a company really thinks the unions are that bad all they have to do is stand their ground and force the unions to concede. If they strike, fire their behinds and replace them. I work in a plant where management (inept) bent over for the labor unions and wouldn’t stand up to them. Now we can’t move one guy from one job to another, even for a day, without going through a bidding process! The company should have built up inventory (even if you have to do it at your distributor sites) to be ready in case of a strike. Just because you have a union doesn’t mean you have to bow to their demands. If companies would prepare in advance (it’s not like you don’t know when a new contract is coming up) they wouldn’t be in such dire straits. You can give up some wage money in return for reduced health and pension benefits, and more job flexibility. Again, that’s management’s job. Don’t blame the unions because of your lack of preparation.