[rmyers]

Originally Posted by HeatherR

I agree...Unions played an important role in regards to creating fairness and safety in the workplace, however, the UAW specifically has become way more than fair pay! I too am a teacher, and part of a union. My problem is the fact that I obtained a BS and a Master's degree (with all of the time, work, and $ that entails), must complete a min. of 6 semester hours every 5 years for cont. ed. (again time, $$) and I could have made more money leaving my HS and starting the line a few miles away from my HS in Lordstown, Ohio. Trust me I graduated with many people who chose this route and 12 years later many are still making more $$ than me, not to mention benefits, etc. No one who works in an unskilled trade should be paid as much as many UAW members are being paid. No one should have job security to the extreme of the jobs bank! No one should be given health care with no premium or co-pay (this leads to abuse-and as a result higher cost the the company footing the bill!!) No one should be hired at 18, work 30 years, and retire with a full pension they plan on collecting until 80-85! Retire at 48 and live retired on a pension for as many as 40 years! Seriously, it's a wonder any of the Detroit 3 stayed profitable at all--ever!! BTW, I have too opened a contract and taken concessions for my district, have taken 0% raises for 3 consecutive years, and I don't want to even talk about the increases to my health care premiums--and I am an educated, skilled, UNION member!!!