Thanks, Mr Christie...
 

I've been working for NJT Rail for 27 years, and in that time we've never had a contract settled on time. And now after working 5.5 years without a contract Mr Christie says our demands are outrageous and won't settle with us. Even though 2 emergency presidential tribunals have sided with us, and our senators and Congress have basically told Christie to cut the crap. 100,000+people a day use transit trains, and looks like they are going to be screwed. There is no plan B to transport all these people, not enough busses to be placed in emergency service, and the already crowded highways are going to be stalled to a crawl. Good job Governor. "D" Day is March 14. And I just applied to picket at Metro Park. EMBARGO ON!!!

Serious question, why do you need contracts? Is it because of the pay/work environment? I get 2638383638383 results from the interwebs so I'd rather ask the one and only :D

We are all union workers. Unions are not supposed to work without contracts.

I feel your pain we just settled our contract a few months ago and in four more months well be back at square one again njt bus

Why would you guys work without a contract for so long? I know they take a while to iron out but that seems a bit to long to wait. Especially with the number of guys and the amount of Leverage you guys have. Not saying you can strong arm them but they have to know the amount of chaos that you will cause NJ/NY/PA by striking. I know my Union starts discussing new contracts a year in advance, and we have a no strike clause.
I'm sure you guys will make out ok, aside from workers coming in from other states, who else is going to run the rails?? I don't think there's to many independent non-Union train personal. unlike the Union Trades. There are plenty of non-Union guys that can under cut our Trades.

njt bus we can't strike so they so they keep us hanging for years

my moms a teacher they been working without a contract for years its terrible I feel ur pain unfortunately...

I am pro union, but let's just say my union leaves a lot to.be desired, thus it's not like the Teamsters getting things done asap. And there are many unions involved:
this is the first time I've ever seen all the unions on the same page. So it's going to be all for one and one for all if we walk.

What is the point of the unions though

I feel ya bud, NYPD hasn't had a contract in 7 years. Hopefully you make out better.

To represent the interests of the work force in all matters with the employer. I.e. Contracts,discipline matters, legal aid etc

This is one of those questions that's has a thousand answers and causes a lot of conflict between Union/non-Union workers.
For the most part Unions are formed so work gets done safely, properly, on time, by someone that is skilled and trained in that field, and gets paid the proper amount of money/healthcare for doing the work performed.
IMO without unions this world would be held together with duct tape, zip screws and wire ties. And that's not a bash on non-Union contractors, that's a bash on DIY guys that think they can fix everything but they really can't even tie there own shoes.

And that's why I asked here lol because I get a different answer every time I ask. So Unions pretty much keep away the bad workers and make sure the good ones get paid and get the jobs.

Union vs Non-Union is a debate that few people can have while staying level-headed.

There are Pros & Cons to both sides, and my verdict is still out on where I stand. However, every single one of us have Unions to thank for standards like Hours in a Work Weeks, a Minimum Wage, and many other labor laws that are SOP now. You also have them to thank for your additional tax expenditures, higher utility costs, & slower production/completion of projects.

It's complicated.

You get triple the pay for 1/2 the work:mrgreen:

"Look guy, you are sweeping these floors just to fast, please slow down so the numbers are good for the month"

or punch in at 7am, leave and return at 430 pm to punch out. Floors are not swept, stay for overtime:rofl:

Don't forget the standard breakfast break, then coffee break, then lunch break, maybe a afternoon snack break, and of course the hour clean up before clocking out.

Or, **** you guys

department of public works

You guys articulated pretty well about the roles of unions. I'd type more but it's time for my post break break...:)

Easy, you're getting paid while posting on here8-)

I was union at my old job. With out going into detail, the union screwed me over... now im pretty much anti union.

I always feel bad for those union guys making $30+hr +company paid benefits. It must be terrible having to be married to a contract. I don't know how you manage to go to work everyday. must be tuff

Was I? I work midnights and Thursday and Friday are my days off...