Coercion

[IHP]

My university semester has finished, and have been working in the construction industry for a few weeks.

I was unimpressed today, when I went to work, and there was a form that said "complete and sign". This was a union membership. I was "WTF?" I was being sent to work on a union site (victorians would know Federation Square). My employer forced me to join the most militant union in Australia: the CFMEU (construction, forestry, mining and energy union)

Is this right? I had refused to join the union, and now i am joined and have to put up with unions closing down sites.

So, is this for my benefit, or did i cough up $245 in union fees for a t-shirt with CFMEU emblazoned across the front?

--IHP



(Edited by i hate pinochet at 7:39 am on Nov. 26, 2002)

[Ian]

I think you should join, for one, CFMEU is doing a good job in Victoria currently and the Liberal party hates that. And it's leftist to the max to be in a union!

[IHP]

I was forced to join. But I am not sure. I like that the Liberals hate the CFMEU, but they are a pack of pricks. I

I know they're there for my benefit, but all the Union reps are so holier than thou, it really annoys me. its like exchanging a government for a military hierachy directly in my presence.

I'll have to see how it pans out.

--IHP

[MJM]

It's good to be in a union, they're there for the workers. The more militant the better I say.
<<<<<<>>>>>>>>
Ralph H. Chaplin

When the Union's inspiration
Through the worker's blood shall run,
There can be no power greater
Anywhere beneath the sun,
Yet what force on earth is weaker
Than the feeble strength of one?
But the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:
Solidarity forever!
Solidarity forever!
For the Union makes us strong.
2. Is there aught we hold in common
With the greedy parasite
Who would lash us into serfdom
And would crush us with his might?
Is there anything left for us
But to organize and fight?
For the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:

3. It is we who plowed the prairies;
Built the cities where they trade,
Dug the mines and built the workshops;
Endless miles of railroad laid.
Now we stand, outcast and starving,
'Mid the wonders we have made;
But the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:
4. All the world that's owned by idle drones,
Is ours and ours alone.
We have laid the wide foundations;
Built it skywards, stone by stone.
It is ours, and not to slave in,
But to master and to own,
While the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:
5. They have taken untold millions
That they never toiled to earn.
But without our brain and muscle
Not a single wheel can turn.
We can break their haughty power;
Gain our freedom, when we learn
That the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:

6. In our hands is placed a pot
Greater than their hoarded gold;
Greater than the might of armies,
Magnified a thousand fold.
We can bring to birth the new world
From the ashes of the old,
For the Union makes us strong.
Chorus:

[vox]

IHP,

Two things to remember:

It sounds like this is a temporary job for you, only lasting until your classes start again. The Union has to ensure the benefits of people who will be working for much longer than you.

Too, would you even want the job if not for the good the Union has done? I'm not overly familiar with this specific union, but I know that in the US there are people who complain about having to join a union but don't seem to realize that, without the union, the job they have would not pay as much, nor would it offer the benefits to the worker that it does. They seem to think that a living wage is something handed down by a kind management, but we know that this isn't true. Wages, benefits, these were fought for, and died for, by people in the past.

vox

[Conghaileach]

You were charged $250 to join a union?

[hawarameen]

that sounds like a hell of a lot of money, i think its only a couple of pounds a month to join a union here in uk

[Euphen5]

Quote: from Ian Rocks on 7:08 am on Nov. 27, 2002
I think you should join, for one, CFMEU is doing a good job in Victoria currently and the Liberal party hates that. And it's leftist to the max to be in a union!


That's simply not true. It is immeasurably more leftist to buy a che t-shirt.

[IHP]

vox,

yes it is only temporary. Even though I had to spend so much to join, I can already see the good. To be honest I am getting paid more already. I get a site allowance of $3.90 an hour on top of my wage.

I was happy about that until today (day three of my membership) when a rep drilled me. He checked my boots all my equipment, and the area that i was working in (where I was putting rubbish etc.) to see that they were in accordance with CFMEU standards. I know that this is necessary, but they do it in such way that you feel inferior and you must always bow down to their power.

I do know the good that they do. Keeping the government out of things they do not understand etc. I suppose I was more unhappy that my boss created a situation where I had to join, or else forfeit my employ.

--IHP

[IHP]

Euphen5,

I wish that it were. Unfortunately Che t-shirts have just become a fashion symbol, instead of a political statement.

--IHP

[redstar2000]

IHP, now that you're a paid-up member, why not go to the next union meeting and check things out. You may be pleasantly surprised.

[IHP]

Yeah, Redstar, I just might do that :)

--IHP