The little f**ker has it coming.

Theeey Toooook Errrrrr Joooob!

Sincerely

You, whining about Mexicans

"We'll be looking into the Cub Scout or Boy Scout who did the trails," Balzano told the council.

Well it's about time somebody fucked with the Boy Scouts and those pesky little bastards in the Cub Scouts are even worse...

This makes it eaiser to understand why some half wit makes $80 an hour for putting a bolt through the same hole over and over...

Headline wants to beat up poster for false advertising.

Why don't the Union guys just keep fucking each other and leave the Boy Scouts out of this...

You, whining about Mexicans

I only whine when they want more than $5/hr for day labor

Union fucks are just as annoying, and twice as worthless as people that ride bikes in the street and expect to be treated like an auto.
Worthless shitbags that can't compete go union. FACT!

If it wasn't for the formation of Unions the US would just be another third world shithole that exploits it's own citizenry so a tiny few can live opulent lifestyles. FACT.

~Airhorn (the worthless Shitbag)

FTFY.

Be Well.

"I only whine when they want more than $5/hr for day labor"

Says someone who can't even afford to buy the internet(s) for at home.

How many professional rungs is a roughneck above a Mexican day laborer anyway?

And unions wonder why they are so demonized.

This kid dedicated 200 hours of his own time in order to do some good - doing work that wasn't getting done and all these assholes can do is bitch that he 'stole' their work.

Unbelievable.

#10 Yes, and what is the mean ol' Union doing about it?

Nothing.

Says someone who can't even afford to buy the internet(s) for at home.

Home? What home? I can't afford that either.

How many professional rungs is a roughneck above a Mexican day laborer anyway?

THey are actually several rungs below a Mexican day labor. But they get paid 8x as much so they don't let it bother them.

I hope one of the laid off union workers has a son in his school. There could be consequences for his actions.

Union fucks are just as annoying, and twice as worthless as people that ride bikes in the street and expect to be treated like an auto.

#7 | Posted by 101Chairborne

Every Saturday and Sunday the only road leading into town is clogged with bicycles going 1/3 the posted speed limit. When I pass them the 250 Power Stroke Diesel is in full turbo billowing out dark clouds of diesel smoke in their faces. I know it pisses them off because I usually get the finger from several. Only an American truck can do that...

"Union Thugs Want to Beat Up Boy Scout for Improving Park"

Really? No, of course not. This is on a par -- at worst -- with a municipality telling a kid to get a license to sell lemonade from a homemade kerbside stand.

Oh, and by the way, according to the article:

Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break. "We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said.

I know it pisses them off because I usually get the finger from several. Only an American truck can do that...

#14 | Posted by ATaxpayer at 2009-11-19 10:07 AM

Next time bring a piping hot cup of tea or a bottle full of chew spit and teach those stupid fucks on their bikes a lesson in manners.

The lazy union fucks are just mad that the kid took away a sweet spot for them to hide and take a nap.

I hope one of the laid off union workers has a son in his school. There could be consequences for his actions.

#13 | Posted by jackass

I don't know why I find your brand of humor occasionally funny; but I do.

Do those idiots, the BSA (Boy Scouts of America), still get a tax exemption? Isn't it time the little fuckers pay their bills?

"Union Thugs Want to Beat Up Boy Scout for Improving Park"

Vernon must have programmed his calculator to churn out a headline.

#13 | Posted by jackass
"I don't know why I find your brand of humor occasionally funny; but I do."
#18 | Posted by JeffJ

With humor there is a bit of truth and jackass wasn't kidding, especially about the hoping part.

Next time bring a piping hot cup of tea or a bottle full of chew spit and teach those stupid fucks on their bikes a lesson in manners.

#16 | Posted by 101Chairborne

Hmmmm Damn good idea...

I have already trained my German Shepard to piss over the side rail on command, I can hardly wait for the weekend...

Sounds like a certain community organizer needs to invite everyone to his house for a beer.

"No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path."
* * * *

Maybe someone in the union should have gotten off his ass and done it himself. Then, the Boy Scout would have had to earn his Eagle Scout badge doing something else.

But no.

"Maybe someone in the union should have gotten off his ass and done it himself."

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Because city workers always create their own assignments.

This is nothing! We have a friend with a small resort on a lake - it abuts a strip of weeds that belongs to the corps of engineers - he HAS to pay THEM a yearly fee to keep THEIR weeds mowed down BY HIM! He stated he'd do it for free, but nooooooooo - it's a small fee, so he pays it and they get a free weedwhacking!

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight. Because city workers always create their own assignments.

#25 | Posted by Danforth
* * *

True. Too much too expect that one of these union guys would have taken it upon himself. Or, at least brought it to the attention of someone else. Why bother. Surprised these union guys were even smart enough to find their way to "work" at all.

"True."

Bullshit. City workers do NOT make up their own assignments. Why tell such an obvious lie?

what happened to all that volunteer horseshit that obama loves

OH yeah
cant get in the way of his union masters..

welkome to obama's amerika

No, you're right Danforth. It's a good thing people like this have unions around to protect their jobs. They're too stupid and lazy to make it anywhere else. If it were a private company, a groundskeeper might be expected to do something about it himself, or at the very least go into his supervisor and say something. But in this case, no--you've got a guaranteed job, why not let the Boy Scouts handle it?

"If it were a private company, a groundskeeper might be expected to do something about it himself"

But it's the city, and workers don't make up their own assignments.

Of course, why let truth get in the way of a some good Union-bashing?

The truth is that a path was so run-down that a kid spent 200 hours making it look good, and none of your union buddies bothered to notice.

Maybe the guy who makes the assignments--probably another municipal union worker himself--should be fired. Maybe they can do with a whole lot fewer workers in the first place, and replace them with volunteers. But it's a little amusing that a large group of taxpayers is getting nothing for their money, and you don't seem to mind.

But what do I care? The union looks stupid and lazy, then petty after the fact. And they've done so without my help. Good thing they have people like you out there, though, to always blame someone else.

The union probably went to this kid for a payoff first before lodging a complain. That's pretty much SOP.

"The truth is that a path was so run-down that a kid spent 200 hours making it look good, and none of your union buddies bothered to notice."

MY union buddies? What a croc. All I stated was you're full of shit, if you actually believe city workers create their own assignments.

"it's a little amusing that a large group of taxpayers is getting nothing for their money, and you don't seem to mind. "

That's not the claim at all. The workers might have been working like crazy, just didn't get to that particular path. But don't let that stand in the way of your daily rant against people who work for a living.

I'll assume you must know the process by which work assignments are made; that you know person who creates the assignments in the city, and must also know that he's not also a member of the union. So I'll just have to take your word for it.

We both win. I think unions are stupid, and union workers themselves tend to be overpaid for the work they do, and point to this article as Exhibit 298,578H of that fact. Further, I believe that municipal and government workers shouldn't be allowed to form unions at all, because it leads to situations like this exactly. And you think otherwise, and will use your personal knowledge of how the city creates work assignments to poke at me. Reflexively, I might add--whenever the topic is gay marriage or unions, you're like a Pavlovian dog.

See? This is great, actually.

"Maybe the guy who makes the assignments--probably another municipal union worker himself--should be fired. "

Huh? Management is usually not Unionized.

"And you think otherwise, and will use your personal knowledge of how the city creates work assignments to poke at me."

You're the idiot who suggested city workers go to work and tell their bosses what they want to do.

"Further, I believe that municipal and government workers shouldn't be allowed to form unions at all, because it leads to situations like this exactly"

Like what? Workers not being able to get to everything, so it must be laziness of Union workers?

"I might add--whenever the topic is gay marriage or unions, you're like a Pavlovian dog."

Gee...and you're not?

Get out of here. Almost every municipal supervisor is part of the union. I know a dozen of them.

Seriously--would it have been a big deal for one of the guys to say, hey, did you notice that path over there? We should get somebody over there and clean it up.

But no. It's chilly out.

"All I stated was you're full of shit, if you actually believe city workers create their own assignments...
The workers might have been working like crazy, just didn't get to that particular path. But don't let that stand in the way of your daily rant against people who work for a living."
#34 | Posted by Danforth

Too funny. Ranting about someone making assumptions as you make assumptions yourself and then while you are ranting you complain about them ranting.

S E I U...Obama's union. GoBama!!!

"Seriously--would it have been a big deal for one of the guys to say, hey, did you notice that path over there? We should get somebody over there and clean it up."

Seriously...with a worker shortage (admitted in the article), how possible is it they just didn't have enough manpower to get to everything?

"Too funny."

So tell us, KBM, do you believe workers tell their bosses what assignments they'll do?

"as you make assumptions yourself"

Read the article, dipshit.

It might be very possible. Which makes this retard from the union look pretty stupid and small.

But what do I care? If the good citizens of Allentown want to keep people on the payroll who beat up on the Boy Scouts for doing volunteer work, who am I to stand in their way? Go Allentown! Go Municipal Workers Union! You have nothing to lose except your chains!

"Maybe the guy who makes the assignments--probably another municipal union worker himself--should be fired. "

Huh? Management is usually not Unionized.

#36 | Posted by Danforth

So Management needs to recruit from the Boy Scouts because it breeds the type of initiative that built this nation. People who can actually do something without being told.

So where are the Unions going to get their future employees?

Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break. "We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said.

#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2009-11-19 10:07 AM | Reply | Flag:

HAHAHAHAHA - you think this statement actually helps make Balzano look good?? "Let this one go"??? Wow, a kid helps his community and the union decides to "cut him a break" - guess they won't break his kneecaps till he volunteers and helps the city a second time. Balzano should have never opened his trap in the first place; since his mouth opened he seems to continually have the need to shove both feet in as fast as he can.

So tell us, KBM, do you believe workers tell their bosses what assignments they'll do?

#41 | Posted by Danforth
* * * *

I don't know where you work. Maybe you work with a bunch of deaf mutes, who are brain dead besides. In fact, I would suggest that's likely. But everywhere I've been, if a secretary or a gardener or a mill worker or if ANYBODY sees something that needs doing, is a hazard, is dangerous, is rundown--whatever--he or she either does something about it himself, or notifies someone who can. It isn't difficult for anyone to fathom, except someone who is used to dealing with unions. There, nobody thinks, and nobody does. And everybody wonders why we manage to get along just fine without them.

"So where are the Unions going to get their future employees?"

Simple. Bad employers.

No one ever proclaimed "Gee, they treat us great here...let's form a Union!"

Unions are the last resort, and most rule books are a compendium of shitty treatment by employers.

"But everywhere I've been, if a secretary or a gardener or a mill worker or if ANYBODY sees something that needs doing, is a hazard, is dangerous, is rundown--whatever--he or she either does something about it himself, or notifies someone who can."

And after a city cuts its workforce, are the workers then responsible for ANY thing they miss?

And wasn't this volunteer making a NEW path?

"And everybody wonders why we manage to get along just fine without them."

"we get along fine" = lower standards of living

how possible is it they just didn't have enough manpower to get to everything?

#40 | Posted by Danforth at 2009-11-19 12:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

So why are they complaining about a kid helping the community AND doing jobs they don't have the manpower to complete??? Sorry Dan, Balzano is completely out of line with his actions. At least SEIU has backed away from supporting this retard.

Unions are the last resort, and most rule books are a compendium of shitty treatment by employers.

#47 | Posted by Danforth

Unions are a last resort for people who can't do any better on their own due to their own shortcomings. Why is always someone elses fault you suck?

"why are they complaining about a kid helping the community AND doing jobs they don't have the manpower to complete?"

They don't have the manpower because city workers have been laid off.

Look, I think it's great this kid did this. But using this incident as a reason to bash the only group that actually has to fulfill its part of the bargain is idiotic.

I was doing some consulting work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and the Union went on strike, they brought in a bunch of Technicians who did the job in 1/2 the time and 1/2 the cost.

One Tech read a schematic the wired the circuit, and tested it him/herself, with the union that is 3 workers.

We all know the reason why this union exists it's because NASA treats it employees unfair. Yea Right

No one ever proclaimed "Gee, they treat us great here...let's form a Union!"

Unions are the last resort, and most rule books are a compendium of shitty treatment by employers.

#47 | Posted by Danforth
* * * *

I know. Allentown probably expected to have their paths cleaned up by workers hired to do so. The selfish bastards.

Ah well. Sounds like everything worked out okay. This particular path, at least, has been cleaned up, and it didn't cost the city a dime. A lesson for the future, hopefully.

I was doing some consulting work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and the Union went on strike, they brought in a bunch of Technicians who did the job in 1/2 the time and 1/2 the cost.

One Tech read a schematic then wired the circuit, and tested it him/herself, with the union that same task would take 3 workers.

We all know the reason why this union exists it's because NASA treats it employees unfair. Yea Right

When I was in college I worked in a grocery store as a stock clerk, I was force to join the Union and pay dues I had no choice. To this day I don't know what the union did for me.

Unions are a guaranteed vote for the Democrats and that is why they exist.

The Democrats push unions and protect them anybody telling you other wise is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

"The truth is that a path was so run-down that a kid spent 200 hours making it look good, and none of your union buddies bothered to notice."

They did notice. But only after the hard part was done. Funny how this kid was in the park day after day working his ass off and no union member cared until the back-breaking labor was finished.

Seriously...with a worker shortage (admitted in the article), how possible is it they just didn't have enough manpower to get to everything?

#40 | Posted by Danforth at 2009-11-19 12:45 PM | Reply | Flag:

If there's a worker shortage then how did the Boy Scout take away work from from some union slug?

Seriously ... make up your fucking mind.

LOL! One Boy Scout took enough work away from a union to get them to complain. Imagine how many workers they could do without if they got the whole troop to volunteer on weekends!

They don't have the manpower because city workers have been laid off.

Still doesn't give the union the right to complain about volunteerism. Did the city go out and hire a bunch of scabbers for 1/2 the cost? No, they allowed a young man to earn a respected award for learning to be a leader and for doing 200 hours of community service - for free! Union jobs were not impacted by this boy scout, they were impacted by financial resatraints months ago. It seems like this Balzono clown is taking out the union's frustrations on a kid for helping his community.

Look, I think it's great this kid did this. But using this incident as a reason to bash the only group that actually has to fulfill its part of the bargain is idiotic. #51 | Posted by Danforth at 2009-11-19 01:00 PM | Reply | Flag:

I've tried to focus my comments on Balzano the retard more so than on the union since the national chapter has come out against Balzano's comments. However, you gotta admit that the fact Balzano is the local union president means his words do represent the union, at least on a local level.

I was doing some consulting work at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and the Union went on strike, they brought in a bunch of Technicians who did the job in 1/2 the time and 1/2 the cost.
#55 | Posted by 90c2cab at 2009-11-19 01:11 PM | Reply | Flag:

I have a hard time believing you since FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED FROM GOING ON STRIKE. It's part of their oath of office they take. If a contractor goes on strike, the contract is simply re-competed.

"However, you gotta admit that the fact Balzano is the local union president means his words do represent the union, at least on a local level."

Yes, I will.

I'll also admit he has to toe the company line, just like any other spokesman.

But you're right: the Union has no right to complain about volunteerism. This was not a worthy battle to fight, and it's not like the Scouts are lined up to do stuff like this.

"If there's a worker shortage then how did the Boy Scout take away work from from some union slug?"

Read the article. There's a shortage of manpower, not a shortage of available workers.

And while I have your attention, WTF were you thinking when you posted the headline phrase "Want to Beat Up Boy Scout"?!?

Flag: GETS OFF ON UNION THUGS BEATING TEENAGE BOYS
#54 | Posted by vernon at 2009-11-19 01:11 PM | Reply | Flag: GETS OFF ON WHAT HE FANTASIZES GETS OTHERS OFF

There's a lot of "getting off" going on.

Let's just all agree that unions, people that ride bikes in the street, and people that write checks at the grocery store, suck.

" people that write checks at the grocery store, suck."

They really suck. Did these dumbasses ever hear of atm cards? Or cash? Fuckers.

#54

Flag: / Gets Off On Lying About Beat Up Boys

"Unions are a last resort for people who can't do any better on their own due to their own shortcomings."

Flag: / Clueless

#68

Reread #63.

"Unions are a last resort for people who can't do any better on their own due to their own shortcomings."

Flag: / Clueless

#67 | Posted by Danforth

If they could do better on their own, they would.

If you could dispute that fact, you would.

"If you could dispute that fact, you would."

In some professions, the Union is the pinnacle.

" people that write checks at the grocery store, suck."
They really suck. Did these dumbasses ever hear of atm cards? Or cash? Fuckers.
#65 | Posted by nullifidian at 2009-11-19 01:51 PM | Reply | Flag:

The worst is when all the information on the check is wrong and they spend 5 minutes correcting phone #, address, looking for their drivers license, etc.

It's the 21st century, people!

beating up boy scouts. what a bunch of mutha fuckas. toss 'em in jail. what say you danny-boi/

"If you could dispute that fact, you would."

In some professions, the Union is the pinnacle.

#71 | Posted by Danforth

I've worn a lot of hats and hold five state licenses in my state. I know of no legitimate profession where a union would be a "pinnacle". Have an example?

I have a hard time believing you since FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ARE PROHIBITED FROM GOING ON STRIKE. It's part of their oath of office they take. If a contractor goes on strike, the contract is simply re-competed.

#60 | Posted by bartimus
* * * * *

They weren't federal employees, they were union employees of a contractor. I remember when it happened, back in 95 or something. Those union guys always seem to threaten strikes just before shuttle launches, too. Real patriots.

"I know of no legitimate profession where a union would be a "pinnacle". Have an example?"

Sure, everything from Actors to Mine Workers to News Reporters to Plumbers to Hotel Workers.

"beating up boy scouts. what a bunch of mutha fuckas. toss 'em in jail. what say you danny-boi/"

I say you didn't read the article.

They weren't federal employees, they were union employees of a contractor. I remember when it happened, back in 95 or something. Those union guys always seem to threaten strikes just before shuttle launches, too. Real patriots.

#75 | Posted by rightisright at 2009-11-19 02:21 PM | Reply | Flag

Shoot, in that case, NASA has every right to cancel the contract for non-performance and get someone else to perform the labor. Striking against the government (even indirectly) is generally a losing proposition.

"When I was in college I worked in a grocery store as a stock clerk, I was force to join the Union and pay dues I had no choice. To this day I don't know what the union did for me."

Same here!!

The SEIU are a bunch of thugs anyway. They muscled this contract for unskilled labor. I've seen them do it before.

This is absolutely unsurprising. Example of the organized thuggery that are unions on average.

Too many guys on coffee breaks or days off to have done the work.

Roughly the same issue occurred in SoCal a couple yrs ago. Boy Scouts had to stop holding meetings in some park out there. Kept the place spotless for yrs in exchange for using the location.

JM

Sure, everything from Actors to Mine Workers to News Reporters to Plumbers to Hotel Workers.

#76 | Posted by Danforth

Well Danny I beg to differ. Seems to me the pinnacle for those professions mentioned above would be a Managerial or Ownership role. Which you've already stated are not union positions.

Huh? Management is usually not Unionized.
#36 | Posted by Danforth

did the union wait till the kid finished the job before bitching ?

"Seems to me the pinnacle for those professions mentioned above would be a Managerial or Ownership role. "

I'm talking about from a worker's standpoint. Not all workers dream of owning, but all workers prefer being treated well.

"To this day I don't know what the union did for me."

"Same here!!"

Let me guess...you never went to a single meeting, and never raised your voice requesting anything from your representatives. Have I got it right?

But I'm guessing in the meantime, you got paid on time, and the correct amount, and got breaks, and paid vacation time if you worked there long enough, and a safe environment, and were eligible for worker's comp if you got hurt...

...but the Union never did a thing for you.

But I'm guessing in the meantime, you got paid on time, and the correct amount, and got breaks, and paid vacation time if you worked there long enough, and a safe environment, and were eligible for worker's comp if you got hurt...

#82 | Posted by Danforth at 2009-11-19 04:49 PM | Reply

You mean just like every non-union job any kid that has never paid union dues has ever had?

the boy was so damn tired after he finished he wanted to join the union to get a rest.

"You mean just like every non-union job any kid that has never paid union dues has ever had?"

No, not like that at all. And if the kid did get all those things, thank a Union.

Which union? The one that protects deadbeat workers? The one that protects the cop guilty of assault? The one that protects the member caught stealing?

Face it, a grocery store union robs the kids that work there of union dues. They're easy money.

If the kid got a lousy teacher who can't be fired, thank a union.

Let me guess...you never went to a single meeting, and never raised your voice requesting anything from your representatives. Have I got it right?

But I'm guessing in the meantime, you got paid on time, and the correct amount, and got breaks, and paid vacation time if you worked there long enough, and a safe environment, and were eligible for worker's comp if you got hurt...

As I recall that all came from my employer . . .

Fed OSHA provides the penalties if it isn't safe.

And I worked plenty of non union jobs as well and never had an issue with anything you put out there.

Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break. "We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said.

#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis
You act like that is some great act of kindess or they are so great for doing that. They figured out real quick they were some dumb SOBs and someone with a brain on up the line told the to STHU. And where do they get the balls to say let this one go? WTH are they going to do about, big boys pull up your pink panties rub some vagisil over yourselves and live with it.

Do those idiots, the BSA (Boy Scouts of America), still get a tax exemption? Isn't it time the little fuckers pay their bills?

#19 | Posted by nullifidian
Damn you are worthless, what do you think he was doing? He sure as hell did not charge them for the work.

Damn you are worthless, what do you think he was doing? He sure as hell did not charge them for the work.

You have to remember that dull is from the bankrupt state of California. If taxing the cub scouts or stealing candy from a baby and reselling it helps replenish the coffers, he is all for it.

But it's the city, and workers don't make up their own assignments.

Of course, why let truth get in the way of a some good Union-bashing?

#31 | Posted by Danforth
Your just too damn stupid to see you are making his point for him.

"Your just too damn stupid to see you are making his point for him."

And what, in your estimation, was his point?

Balzano said Saturday the union is still looking into the matter and might cut the city a break. "We are probably going to let this one go," Balzano said.
#15 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis

You act like that...
#91 | Posted by freechoice

I don't "act" like anything. It's a quotation within a passage from the article; a quote within a quote. You understand that, yes?

Guys, gals....

I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer, but last time I checked parks were public property. If I wanted to go sweep it for no other reason that that I like to sweep, shouldn't I be allowed to do so? The fact that this article implies that the SEIU somehow maintains administrative control over public land suggests several things. First, and most likely, this isn't a real article. If it is the entire SEIU contract needs to be shitcanned. Second, that somewhere along the way the unions did manage to gain adminstrative control of a public asset, which I am absolutely position could not have occured with any sort of public consent.

But again, I haver serious doubts in the validity of this story. It's simply too far over the top. Unions are already too unpopular to risk this sort of negative publicity.

But I'm guessing in the meantime, you got paid on time, and the correct amount, and got breaks, and paid vacation time if you worked there long enough, and a safe environment, and were eligible for worker's comp if you got hurt...

"No, not like that at all. And if the kid did get all those things, thank a Union."

Uhh, I've never been a union members, and even as a teenager I always got paid on time, always got my agreed upon wage or more (I've had several bosses that gave decent bonuses, got $1500 extra once for being a good employee). In other words, my employers have always met all the contractual obligations that were a function of my working for them.

And never once was a union involved...

...another mystery that will never be solved.

"Guys, gals....

I may not be the sharpest knife in the drawer . . ."

Non one would ever accuse you of that!

The SEIU is the same bunch of thugs who had it handed back to them at this health care rally. Watch as a 220lbs and 260lb thug get their asses kicked by a little guy who was out there exercising his Amendment 1 rights and these clowns thought they could shut him down. I esp like the fat ass bitch with the cane screaming bloody murder

HA HA HA HA HA HA (laughter courtesy of Zat)

There are two types of unions, trade unions and industrial unions. Trade unions are typically made up of skilled workers, from electricians and plumbers to airline pilots and doctors. Industrial unions are typically made up of unskilled or low skilled workers, all of which work within a certain industry. Think UAW or SEIU. Trade Unions usually are restictive in the number of folks they admit, which drives up salaries, but they also provide internal policing and guaruntee a base level of quality for the labor they represent. I'm actually a fan of trade unionism, and while I don't think people should be forced to use trade union-provided labor, I will typically choose to do so myself when given the choice. Industrial unionism is different. First, the employees generally don't have any discernable skills. A fry cook at McDonalds could get a UAW job at GM and be on the floor within days. And unlike trade unions, industrial unions don't provide any additional value over non-union. In other words, while union labor costs about double what non-union labor does, there is no additional value added. There's really no value that could be added.

Because industrial union labor has no tangible advantage over non-union labor, they have to resort to other means in order to extert their influence. Paying off politicians, threatening non-union workers or employees, (along with the occasional boy scout, apparently) and using their position to deny service. It's essentaly a racket, which is probably why the mafia is so involved in unions. The two are natural partners.

I dunno. I still can't belive this is even real. I'm going to do some source data verification...

The purpose of government is not to employ people. The purpose of government is to provide essential services at the lowest possible cost to the taxpayer without sacrificing needed quality. If the kid did a good job clearing the trail, then the union guys are hacks for thinking that the city should have instead had to pay someone to do it.

By the way, there's a vending machine in my office that always gets stuck. The other day I noticed it had a big sticker on the inside that proudly proclaims "Union Made."

I for one am a big fan of the cement finishers union, the carpenters union and the iron workers union.

Having said that, the stewards can drive you nuts.

Worked on jobsite where the superintendent gave the laborer union steward the prized job of vacuuming out the trailer complex honey bucket tank. The stuff would just bubble out of that hose while that fat fuck with his huge beer belly just stood there jiggling.

Hilarious.

After a quick google search, it appears this story is valid. Maybe it's time that Allentown ditched the SEIU. Hell, maybe it's time all employers ditched the SEIU.

What a bunch of losers.

By the way there was a lawyer and a skunk run over on the same road Spud drives down a lot. The other day Spud noticed the difference between the two. There were skid marks in front of the skunk.

Be Well.

Is there a day-care center at the end of the road?

After a quick google search, it appears this story is valid. Maybe it's time that Allentown ditched the SEIU. Hell, maybe it's time all employers ditched the SEIU.

What a bunch of losers.

#104 | Posted by madbomber at 2009-11-19 06:43 PM | Reply | Flag: Go ahead and try. They are like a golem. Once you've done a contract with them they suck you dry. Nooooooo mercy.

I guess Allentown will have 6 shovel leaners instead of 7 when they fix a pothole now thanks to that dastardly scout doing community work gratis

Hmm...is it a public park or a Union park? The article doesn't get that specific.

You DO understand it was the mobbed-up unions in Chicago that have resulted in big, expensive national conventions taking their business elsewhere, don't you? No-show jobs and $25 lightbulbs are way out of line when a city is too expensive to attract out-of-towners.

#54 90c2cab> When I was in college I worked in a grocery store as a stock clerk, I was force to join the Union and pay dues I had no choice. To this day I don't know what the union did for me.

Simple: they took your dues...

Oh, you meant 'did they do anything USEFUL for me?'

"Balzano said Saturday he isn't targeting Boy Scouts. But given the city's decision in July to lay off 39 SEIU members, Balzano said "there's to be no volunteers." No one except union members may pick up a hoe or shovel, plant a flower or clear a walking path."

Just reading between the lines but it looks like the issue is that BY CONTRACT there is to be no volunteer work since there were layoffs. Damn union bastards trying to enforce their contract and protect their business interests.

Just reading between the lines but it looks like the issue is that BY CONTRACT......

Damn union bastards trying to enforce their contract and protect their business interests.

So you are giving a pass to insurance companies for enforcing their contract which limits and excludes coverages?

"damn bastards trying to enforce their contract and protect their business interests!"

LOL

But I'm guessing in the meantime, you got paid on time, and the correct amount, and got breaks, and paid vacation time if you worked there long enough, and a safe environment, and were eligible for worker's comp if you got hurt...

I don't know who originally wrote that, but whoever it was is a DUMB ASS. Every single one of those things is provided to me without any union at all.

The controversy has led to Balzano's downfall. From the Allentown Morning Call this morning:

"Three days of taking body blows nationally from conservative pundits, a rebuke from the Lehigh Valley's congressman and even a lashing from his own union led Balzano to voluntarily resign his position Thursday as head of the local Service Employees International Union.

Balzano said he and seven other executive officers of the local SEIU stepped down."

This whole thing sounds like a load union bashing bull shit to me, I have several SEIU members that work in my departments and they always take great pride in helping the Eagle Scouts with their projects, and we always have 3 or 4 projects in progress at any given time. The employees are always eager to help these fine young people from the planning all they way through the projects, and protect the finished projects as if it was their own. We always look forward to helping in anyway we can.

How many Union Laborers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

> Twelve. Do ya'z gotta problem wit dat, Cupcake?

Provided services on a contractual basis for a large city and would ask the union workers why they liked their jobs so much. More often then not they would tell me it was because they didn't work that hard---because they were overstaffed. Then also worked with GM unions and when they met with management on certain issues I would often wonder who had the best interest of the company in hand--- more often then not I felt that the union supported certain positions that one would think management should--as usual you can't brush all unions and their representatives with the same brush.